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Topic:Infection
Infections in horses encompass a range of diseases caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These infections can affect different systems within the horse, such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and integumentary systems, leading to a variety of clinical signs depending on the pathogen and the severity of the infection. Common infectious diseases in horses include equine influenza, strangles, and equine herpesvirus. Diagnosis often involves clinical examination, laboratory testing, and sometimes imaging, to identify the causative agent and assess the extent of the disease. Treatment strategies may include antimicrobial therapy, supportive care, and preventive measures such as vaccination and biosecurity practices. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in equine populations.
Taylorella equigenitalis infections in Poland – results of current diagnostic investigations. Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a cosmopolitan infectious, venereal disease of equids caused by the bacterium . Its frequently asymptomatic course leads to its prevalence sometimes being underestimated, and knowledge of the spread of infections with its causative agent is insufficient. The aim of this study is to summarise and present data on the incidence of infections in horses in Poland. Unassigned: In the years 2018-2023, routine laboratory tests of horses for CEM were carried out. Between 52 and 99 horses were examined annually. Swabs from the external parts of the urogenital system ...
Serological differentiation of West Nile, Usutu, and tick-borne encephalitis virus antibodies in birds and horses using mutant E protein ELISAs. West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are worldwide endemic zoonotic orthoflaviviruses, often co-circulating in the same areas. Serological studies in animals, mostly birds and horses, are important means to monitor the spread of these viruses and the infection risks for humans. However, cross-reactive antibodies to these structurally similar flaviviruses frequently impact serological differentiation in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), hence time-consuming virus neutralization tests (VNTs) have to be employed in laboratories with high bi...
Seasonality, control, and risk factors for Gasterophilus intestinalis egg intensity in horses from Romania under field conditions. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pyrethroid-based insecticides against Gasterophilus spp. egg-laying activity and to establish the seasonality patterns in the specific climatic area of Transylvania, Romania. To fulfil the aims of the study, a total of 40 horses were treated every 4 weeks and inspected every 2 weeks between 11 May and 6 November (Pilo et al. Parasitol Res 114:1693-1702, 2024). Through this period, eggs were found between 24 June and 2 November. The eggs were found on 34 out of 40 horses (prevalence = 85%, CI 95% = 73.43-96.56%). Overall, a total of 50,029 G...
Isolation of vapA-positive Rhodococcus equi from soil and fecal samples in Mongolia. In 2024, 90 soil samples and 11 fecal samples were collected from nine Mongolian provinces. Using NANAT selective agar, R. equi was successfully isolated from 23 soil samples (25.6%) across five provinces and from three fecal samples (27.3%) collected in two provinces. A total of 122 isolates were identified as R. equi via choE-targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently screened for virulence-associated genes (vapA, vapB, and vapN) by PCR. Of these, 17 isolates tested positive for the vapA gene, while the remaining 105 isolates were negative for both vapB and vapN. Plasmid prof...
Seroprevalence of equine leptospirosis in Poland (2019-2023). Leptospirosis in horses is associated with various clinical signs, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. Additionally, the disease may pose a zoonotic risk to individuals involved in handling infected animals. Implementing a serological monitoring programme in the equine population is one of the key tools used to reduce the risk of transmission of Leptospira infections to humans. Objective: To provide new insights into the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic horses in Poland. Methods: Serological monitoring program. Methods: Data were collected from serological surveys of horse serum ...
Surgical Assessment and Post-Operative Complications Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) of Horses with Severe Equine Pasture Asthma During Asthma Exacerbation and Remission. The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to assess surgical duration and surgical and post-operative complications associated with Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and lung biopsy in horses with severe Equine Pasture Asthma (EPA) and paired control horses. Twelve horses (6 EPA-affected, 6 control) were sex, age and breed matched. Twenty-four thoracic surgeries were performed. Surgery of each matched pair (EPA-affected and healthy) was performed during asthma exacerbation (summer) and remission (winter). Surgical times were shorter with uncomplicated thoracoscopy (85 min) and...
Evolution of in vitro antimicrobial resistance at an equine hospital over 4 decades. This study aimed to document antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria frequently isolated at a referral equine hospital between 2020 and 2022 and to compare these results to those of studies carried out in previous decades at the same reference center. Unassigned: Using the Kirby-Bauer method, 340 tests were completed on bacterial isolates and compared to 233, 255, and 396 tests carried out in 1986 to 1988, 1996 to 1998, and 2007 to 2013, respectively. Data were analyzed with tests for trends, followed by pairwise Fisher tests and Bonferroni corrections. Unassigned: Increasing resistanc...
Isolation, identification and comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus salivarius from Mongolian horse vagina. Reproductive health in mares is pivotal for the sustainability of the equine industry, yet vaginal microbiota dysbiosis remains an underrecognized contributor to infections such as endometritis and bacterial vaginosis. While spp. dominate healthy vaginal ecosystems in humans and livestock, their role in equine reproductive health, particularly in resilient breeds like Mongolian mares, is poorly understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a novel strain from the vaginal microbiota of healthy Mongolian mares and evaluate its probiotic potential for mitigating equine reproductive d...
Description and Complications of a New Modified Semi-Closed Castration Technique in Horses. Castration remains a common surgical procedure in equids, yet postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, infection, and eventration persist, influencing surgical outcomes. This retrospective study introduced a novel modified semi-closed castration technique aimed at minimizing these complications. Eighty-five sexually intact mature male equids (including horses, ponies, and donkeys) underwent the described inguinal castration procedure under general anesthesia. The technique involved a carefully managed opening and subsequent secure closure of the parietal vaginal tunic, enabling direct i...
The use of systemic immune inflammatory index as a predictor for nematodes infections in horses. Nematode infections are a significant health concern in horses, causing a range of clinical signs and economic losses. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment and management. Unassigned: Examining the application of the systemic immune Inflammatory index (SII) as a predictor for nematode infections in horses, using platelets count, leucocytes count, and neutrophils count. Unassigned: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 164 horses, consisting of 66 horses with nematode infections and 98 horses without infections. The SII was computed using the platelets count, leu...
Tricuspid valve endocarditis in a horse owner, caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. subsp. (SESZ) are zoonotic group C streptococci primarily acquired from contact with horses and other animals, such as llamas. They are unusual causes of infection in humans and rarely cause infective endocarditis. Unassigned: A 58-year-old woman presented with fever, malaise, and polyarthritis. Clinical evaluation diagnosed native tricuspid valve SESZ endocarditis. The SESZ isolate was genetically closely related to a clone causing an outbreak of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis linked to the consumption of unpasteurized cheese in Brazil. The patient had no exposure to unpasteurized ch...
High-resolution melting curve FRET-qPCR rapidly distinguishes Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and zooepidemicus. We developed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based real-time PCR (qPCR) assay coupled with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to differentiate subsp. (SEE) from subsp. (SEZ), two closely related equine pathogens with distinct clinical implications. The assay targets a region of the 23S rRNA gene containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms that differentiate the subspecies. By combining subspecies-specific probes with melting temperature () analysis, the assay accurately distinguished SEE, SEZ, and mixed infections without the need for post-PCR processing. The entire work...
Macrococcus animalis sp. nov. and Macrococcus equi sp. nov., isolated from different animals’ origins. Nine Gram-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic cocci, designated EM39Eᵀ, JEK85, 18KM676, 21M1142, 18KM445, 18KM444, 18KM245, 18KM583 and 21KM1573, were isolated from diverse animal material, including horse and pig skin, bovine mastitis milk and feline urine from a urinary tract infection. Phylogenomic analysis based on amino-acid alignment obtained from translated whole-genome sequences; digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH); 16S rRNA, , , and gene comparison; and MALDI-TOF MS spectral profiles placed the strains within the clade. They were closely related to CCM 7100ᵀ, CCM 7...
Characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution of fetal loss in thoroughbred mares in New South Wales, Australia. Despite emerging disease syndromes in Australian Thoroughbred horses in recent years, there is no formal surveillance for fetal loss in the industry. This study aimed to characterise the distribution of equine pregnancy loss > 45 days of gestation in a major Thoroughbred breeding region to provide insights into causes, prevention, and surveillance feasibility. Methods: Data were collected from 574 fetal loss submissions to veterinary pathology services between February 2015 and November 2021. Variables included date of fetal loss, gestational age, diagnosis, foal weight, and mare age. Dia...
Reassessment of extracellular and intracellular activity of macrolides, rifampicin, and doxycycline against Rhodococcus equi based on bacterial counts and microscopy. is an opportunistic intracellular pathogen responsible for severe respiratory infections in foals, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. Despite its susceptibility to multiple antibiotics, the eradication of intracellular remains challenging due to its ability to persist and survive within alveolar macrophages. This study aimed to assess the extracellular and intracellular activity of rifampicin, doxycycline, and four macrolides against while assessing current methodologies used to differentiate intracellular and extracellular bacteria. We found that the removal of extracellular wit...
Screening for Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) in Austria: Absence of human cases in a retrospective case-finding study. Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) is a zoonotic virus with a recently confirmed potential to cause rare but severe cases of encephalitis in humans. While the bicolored white-toothed shrew (Crocidura leucodon), which represents the reservoir, is widely distributed over eastern, central, and southern Europe as well as south-west Asia, human infections have so far only been reported from Germany. As infections in sentinels such as horses indicate the endemic circulation of the virus also in circumscribed regions of neighboring countries (Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland), we initiated a retrospec...
Shifting Paradigms: Imidocarb dipropionate as an alternative chemotherapeutic strategy for Trypanosoma evansi infection in animals. We report on the in vitro and in vivo success of Imidocarb dipropionate (IDP), an aromatic diamidine compound, as an effective drug against Surra-causing organism, Trypanosoma evansi. IDP is a clinically acclaimed drug for the treatment of babesiosis and anaplasmosis. We have also investigated cytotoxic effect of IDP on equine Peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Vero cell line. The data generated indicate that the IC of IDP (2.73 µM) was significantly lower than its cytotoxic concentration (32.66 and 80.70 µM against PBMCs and Vero cell line, respectively). We have recorded signific...
Detection of Antibodies Against Leptospira interrogans Serovars Among Stabled Horses in Qazvin Province of Iran as a One-Health Concern. Leptospirosis, a global zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., poses significant health risks to both animals and humans. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovars in stabled horses in Qazvin province, Northwest Iran. From January 2023 to April 2024, a total of 83 blood samples were collected from asymptomatic horses using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Results indicated a seroprevalence of 40.96% (95% CI: 31-52), with notable variations among regions: 38.89% (95% CI: 27-52) in Qazvin, 38.46% (95% CI: 18-64) i...
Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach. Dermatophytosis is a common fungal skin infection in horses, particularly affecting young and immunocompromised animals. Traditional treatments often involve antifungal medications with potential side effects. Here, we present a case report that evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) as a standalone treatment for equine dermatophytosis. Unassigned: A 2-year-old Westphalian warmblood stallion presented with confirmed dermatophyte lesions restricted to the left side of the mouth which were treated with CAP-A. Treatment was administered 2 times daily for 12 consecutive ...
Identification of persistent clusters and temporal trends of glanders in horses throughout Brazil. Glanders, caused by Burkholderia mallei, is a zoonotic disease with profound socioeconomic and public health implications, affecting equines and humans. This study investigated glanders cases in Brazil from 2006 to 2023 to identify persistent clusters and analyze temporal trends, providing a foundation for the formulation of effective control policies. Official data were obtained from the National Animal Health Information System (SIZ) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), encompassing case notifications and equine population statistics by state and year. The incidence ri...
Injection site abscesses associated with commensal and environmental bacteria following intramuscular vaccination in horses. Five previously healthy horses in Korea, including a 19-year-old mixed-breed gelding, a 16-year-old mixed-breed mare, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, a 12-year-old Belgian warmblood mare, and a 12-year-old Andalusian mare, developed subcutaneous abscesses in the left neck after receiving intramuscular vaccination without prior skin disinfection. The vaccination used was Equivac® 2 in1, containing toxoid and cell-free extract. Within one week, the horses developed localised swelling and/or abscessation at the injection site. One case involved a ruptured abscess, while the others presente...
Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series. spp. are ubiquitous yeasts that are part of most mammals' microbiota and can become opportunistic pathogens under predisposing conditions. Interestingly, recent studies in human medicine report an increased abundance of spp. in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Gastrointestinal candidiasis has been primarily reported in neonatal foals, but not in adult horses. The aim of this study is to describe the morphological, histopathological, and microbiological features of gastric lesions associated with infiltration in five horses referred to two tertiary hospitals for different r...
Histopathological and molecular evaluation of hydatid cysts according to necropsy findings of 52 equids in Türkiye. is a parasitic cestode primarily maintained within an equine-canine life cycle, with horses, donkeys, mules, and other ungulates serving as intermediate hosts. Although has historically been considered non-zoonotic, recent molecular studies suggest that this assumption may need to be reevaluated. This study aimed to investigate the presence and molecular characterization of in equids from Türkiye. A retrospective analysis of 52 equine necropsies performed between 2020 and 2025 identified hydatid cysts in one Arabian horse and two donkeys. Gross and histopathological examination confirmed t...
Multi-host distribution of Rhodococcus equi (Prescottella equi) strains and their phylogenomic clustering. Rhodococcus equi is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that can cause infections in various hosts, including humans and animals. Host-associated virulence plasmids have been identified as key contributors to the pathogenicity of R. equi and potentially play a role in determining the host tropism of the bacteria. The investigation of additional clinical and environmental isolates is likely to provide novel insights into the population structure, infection pathways, and drug resistance of this important pathogen. We combined whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial-susceptibility testing of 37...
Plasma C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 concentrations in foals during health and respiratory disease. Early and specific diagnosis of bronchopneumonia in foals is important to prevent severe disease. In human medicine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in neonatal pneumonia in other species. Evaluation of these markers in foals with naturally occurring respiratory diseases is lacking. Objective: To determine if CRP and IL-6 were useful predictors of respiratory disease in foals from birth to weaning. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Periodic blood samples from 200 initially healthy foals were collected from birth to ...
Unwelcome neighbours: Tracking the transmission of Streptococcus equi in the United Kingdom horse population. Strangles (Streptococcus equi infection) remains endemic in the UK, with ~300 laboratory diagnoses annually. Sub-clinically infected long-term carriers are considered a key driver of endemicity. Analysing genomes of circulating strains could provide valuable transmission insights of this pathogen. Objective: To determine the population structure and diversity of UK S. equi isolates and to model transmission using epidemiological and whole genome sequencing data. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological and genomic surveillance. Methods: A dated phylogenetic tree derived from 511...
First detection of equine hepacivirus RNA in Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera, Muscidae) in eastern Austria. Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) from the family, has been detected in horses worldwide with a global RNA prevalence of up to 7.9%. While vertical transmission and iatrogenic transmission with infected blood products have been demonstrated for this virus, field infection rates suggest an additional horizontal transmission route. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of (Diptera, Muscidae) – a hematophagous fly that is found in stables with ruminants and horses as preferred hosts– in the transmission of EqHV RNA. From 2021 to 2022, were collected from three horse barns in ...
Characterization of Corynebacterium uterequi isolates from mares in Brazil. The genus Corynebacterium encompasses versatile bacteria that act as natural microbiota or pathogens, causing infections in humans and animals, including equine reproductive disorders. Corynebacterium uterequi (C. uterequi) is a potential pathogen in mares, associated with reproductive disorders including endometritis, embryonic loss, and infertility, raising concerns for equine reproductive health. This study aimed to characterize C. uterequi isolates from mares in southern Brazil and deepen the understanding of this species. Phenotypic, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses were performed on ...
