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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.
The levels of zearalenone and its metabolites in plasma, urine and faeces of horses fed with naturally, Fusarium toxin-contaminated oats. Concentration profile of zearalenone (ZON) and its metabolites in plasma, urine and faeces samples of horses fed with Fusarium toxin-contaminated oats is described. In plasma, β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) was detected at high levels on day 10 of the study (3.21-6.24 μg/l). β-Zearalenol and α-zearalenol were the major metabolites in urine. Zearalenone, α-ZOL and β-ZOL were predominantly found in faeces. Zearalanone could also be detected in urine (1.34-5.79 μg/l) and faeces (1 μg/kg). The degree of glucuronidation was established in all sample types, approximately 100% in urine and plasm...
Quest for the piroplasms in camels: identification of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Jordanian dromedaries by PCR. DNA of two species of piroplasmids was detected in dromedaries during a survey of blood protozoans in Jordan between 2007 and 2009. Ten clinically healthy camels (10%) originating from three Jordanian districts were found, using a PCR assay, to harbor Theileria or Babesia species in their blood and no mix infection was determined. Analysis of the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of these parasites allowed their unambiguous identification as equine piroplasmids Babesia caballi (n=6) and Theileria equi (n=4). In case of latter species, a novel genotype was found in horses. This first molecular-ba...
Neutrophil function of neonatal foals is enhanced in vitro by CpG oligodeoxynucleotide stimulation. Rhodococcus equi is an intracellular bacterium that causes pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised adult horses. Evidence exists that foals become infected with R. equi early in life, a period when innate immune responses are critically important for protection against infection. Neutrophils are innate immune cells that play a key role in defense against this bacterium. Enhancing neutrophil function during early life could thus help to protect foals against R. equi infection. The objective of our study was to determine whether in vitro incubation with the TLR9 agonist CpG 2142 would enhance d...
Lawsonia intracellularis-associated proliferative enteritis in weanling foals in the Netherlands. Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging infectious enteric disease caused by the obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis. EPE was tentatively diagnosed in six weanling foals, aged between 5 and 7 months. Clinical signs included depression, anorexia, ventral oedema, and weight loss. Plasma biochemistry consistently revealed severe hypoproteinaemia. The ante-mortem diagnosis of EPE was based on clinical signs, hypoproteinaemia (6/6), the detection of moderate-to-high titres of L. intracellularis antibody (6/6), and severe thickening of the small inte...
Thromboelastography in healthy, sick non-septic and septic neonatal foals. To evaluate citrated recalcified thromboelastography (TEG) in healthy newborn foals, and to determine intra-assay, inter-individual and intra-individual (at 12 h, 24 h and 7 days after birth) variations. Additionally, to compare TEG variables, haematological values and conventional coagulation profiles from healthy, sick non-septic, and septic foals. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: The study group comprised 18 healthy, 15 sick non-septic and 17 septic foals. Two citrated (3.2%; 1 : 9 anticoagulant : blood ratio) blood samples were submitted for haemostatic evaluation using a TEG analyser ...
Guttural pouch diseases causing neurologic dysfunction in the horse. The close relationship between guttural pouches, cranial nerves, and sympathetic structures make neurologic abnormalities due to diseases of the guttural pouches (especially mycosis) possible. Recognition of epistaxis or mucopurulent nasal discharge, together with signs of dysfunction of the cranial nerves in contact with the guttural pouches, are important key points in order to consider a comprehensive evaluation of these structures and further definitive diagnosis. Diseases of the guttural pouches can also cause signs such as dysphagia, abnormal soft palate positioning, laryngeal paralysis,...
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among horses in Tunisia. The present study was conducted to investigate the serological survey of Toxoplasma antibodies in local.horses from three major regions: a neighbourhood of a city in the North (Sidi Thabet), a neighbourhood of a city on the coast (Monastir) and a neighbourhood of a city in the middle (Battan) of Tunisia (North of Africa). Methods: A total of 158 serum samples were obtained from clinically healthy horses which consisted of 111 (32 female, 79 male) 2-10 years old and 47 (11 female, 36 male) older than 10 years. All of the horses were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using the Modified Agglutin...
Abdominal computed radiography for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in horses: 142 cases (2003?2007). To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of abdominal computed radiography (CR) for the diagnosis of enterolithiasis in horses and to examine how these parameters are affected by the number and anatomic location of enteroliths and by gas distension of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Horses ? 1 year old that underwent abdominal CR and subsequent exploratory laparotomy or postmortem examination. Methods: 3 reviewers blinded to signalment, history, clinical signs, and diagnoses separately evaluated abdominal computed radiographs of horses included in th...
Toxoplasma gondii in wild and domestic animals from New Caledonia. Samples (serum or meat juice) collected from 205 animals in New Caledonia in April 2009 were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA using the multi-species ID Screen® Toxoplasmosis Indirect kit (IDVET, Montpellier). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 2% (1/49) of the pigs, in 3.3% (1/30) of the cattle, in 13.8% (4/29) of Rusa deers, in 16% (4/25) of the horses, in 32.8% (21/64) of the dogs, and in 50% (4/8) of cats. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and age or sex. No survey on the prevalence of T. gondii in anima...
Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis (Nematoda: Rhabditida). Opportunistic infections with the free living nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis are infrequently reported in horses but the cases are widespread geographically. The nematodes are believed to penetrate wounds and subsequently reproduce within the host tissues. This paper reports two cases of a fatal disease in stallions of the Icelandic breed in Iceland. Case 1: a stallion, which sustained injuries to the mouth after an accident, developed severe neurological signs and had to be euthanatized. Histological examination revealed mild inflammation and malacia in the cerebellum associated with the ...
Cloning of equine herpesvirus type 1 438/77 strain genome as a bacterial artificial chromosome. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of respiratory and reproductive diseases in horses worldwide. The genome of EHV-1 strain 438/77 (isolated from an aborted equine fetus) was cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) in E. coli without any gene deletions. The mini-F plasmid sequence was inserted in the middle of ORF19 and 20 via homologous recombination following co-transfection of viral DNA and plasmid pE19_20/HA into RK13 cells. Circular viral DNA was extracted from RK13 cells infected with purified recombinant virus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and elec...
The role of proliferation in the regulation of interferon gamma (IFNγ) expression in foals. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) plays an important role against viral and intracellular bacterial infections and its production is deficient in foals. Cellular proliferation provides an opportunity for de novo gene expression, though little is known about its role in regulating IFNγ expression in foals. While stimulation of foal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with concanavalin A (ConA) increased the frequency of IFNγ(+) cells, the overall percentage of IFNγ(+) cells remained below that of adults. By contrast, the proliferative response of foal PBMC was significantly greater than that o...
In vitro activity of ponazuril against Theileria equi. The equid hemoprotozoan parasite Theileria equi is endemic in most regions worldwide. Infection of horses is a cause of significant economic loss due to costs associated with disease and restriction of trade with non-endemic nations. The ability of certain drugs such as imidocarb dipropionate to eliminate persistent T. equi infection and transmission risk is controversial. The anti-protozoal agent ponazuril has been used successfully to treat equine Sarcosystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. The hypothesis that ponazuril inhibits replication of T. equi in vitro was tested. T. equi infected equ...
Granulocytic anaplasmosis in a horse from Nova Scotia caused by infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A 16-year-old Paint stallion was presented with intermittent fever, inappetance, lethargy, icterus, distal limb edema, and submandibular lymphadenopathy. The horse was native to Nova Scotia and had never left that province. Morulae were detected in granulocytes. Ananaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed by serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The horse responded to treatment with oxytetracycline. Anaplasmose granulocytaire chez un cheval de la Nouvelle-Écosse causée par une infection par Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Un étalon Paint âgé de 16 ans a été présenté avec un...
A questionnaire study on parasite control practices on UK breeding Thoroughbred studs. Improved education of veterinarians and equine owners/managers is essential in implementing parasite control strategies that are less reliant on chemicals. Methods: This questionnaire study, conducted on 61 UK Thoroughbred (TB) establishments during 2009 and 2010, was designed to obtain an understanding of current helminth control practices on studs. To our knowledge, this is the first occasion that statements obtained from TB studs via questionnaire have been supported by statistical analysis. Results: Despite many respondents indicating high levels of concern regarding anthelmintic resistanc...
Submandibular lymph node abscess caused by Actinomyces denticolens in a horse in Ontario. This is the first report of the isolation of Actinomyces denticolens, an opportunistic pathogen, from a draining submandibular lymph node abscess in a horse in Ontario. Due to the similarity of the clinical signs with strangles, this pathogen should be included in the differential diagnosis of submandibular lymphadenopathy in the horse. Il s’agit du premier rapport d’isolement d’ un agent pathogène opportuniste, lors du drainage d’un abcès d’un ganglion lymphatique sous-maxillaire chez un cheval en Ontario. En raison de la similarité des signes cliniques avec ceux de la gourme, ...
Diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of infections caused by Rhodococcus equi in foals. Rhodococcus equi, a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen, is one of the most common causes of pneumonia in foals. Although R. equi can be cultured from the environment of virtually all horse farms, the clinical disease in foals is endemic at some farms, sporadic at others, and unrecognized at many. On farms where the disease is endemic, costs associated with morbidity and mortality attributable to R. equi may be very high. The purpose of this consensus statement is to provide recommendations regarding the diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of infections caused by R. equi...
Protective effects of passively transferred merozoite-specific antibodies against Theileria equi in horses with severe combined immunodeficiency. Theileria equi immune plasma was infused into young horses (foals) with severe combined immunodeficiency. Although all foals became infected following intravenous challenge with homologous T. equi merozoite stabilate, delayed time to peak parasitemia occurred. Protective effects were associated with a predominance of passively transferred merozoite-specific IgG3.
Effects of opsonization of Rhodococcus equi on bacterial viability and phagocyte activation. To investigate the effect of opsonization of Rhodococcus equi with R. equi-specific antibodies in plasma on bacterial viability and phagocyte activation in a cell culture model of infection. Methods: Neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages from 6 healthy 1-week-old foals and 1 adult horse. Methods: Foal and adult horse phagocytes were incubated with either opsonized or nonopsonized bacteria. Opsonization was achieved by use of plasma containing high or low concentrations of R. equi-specific antibodies. Phagocyte oxidative burst activity was measured by use of flow cytometry, and macrophag...
Functional characterization of EUL47 in productive replication, morphogenesis and infectivity of equine herpesvirus 1. EUL47 is a major component of the tegument of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1). To determine its function, we used Red/ET cloning to delete its gene (gene 13) from EHV-1 strain Ab4p inserted into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), yielding Ab4pattBΔ13. We also examined the reverted virus (Ab4pattB13R). Ab4pattBΔ13 replicated in rabbit kidney (RK)-13 cells, indicating that ORF13 is dispensable for virus replication in cell culture. Its intracellular and extracellular titers were about 10- and 100-fold lower than those of the revertant and parent strains, respectively. In addition, the plaqu...
A case of Borrelia-associated cutaneous pseudolymphoma in a horse. This case report describes a 10-year-old horse that developed multiple dermal papules over the right masseter area following removal of a tick from the same site 3 months earlier. Histological examination of a biopsy from a papule was suggestive of either a T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma or cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia, a form of pseudolymphoma sometimes associated with a tick bite. Positive serological testing and PCR of the biopsy sample for Borrelia in conjunction with immunohistochemical testing of the skin biopsy, the clinical history and response to treatment with doxycycline strongly sup...
Evaluation of the usefulness of a PCR assay performed at a clinical laboratory for the diagnosis of respiratory disease induced by equine herpesvirus type 1 in the field. A PCR assay for the diagnosis of respiratory disease induced by equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) was performed at the clinical laboratory in the Racehorse Clinic of the Ritto Training Center of the Japan Racing Association from December 2007 to March 2008. The assay was performed without the trouble of contamination throughout the study and its turnaround time was approximately 6 hr. The PCR detection rates of EHV-1 among seroconverted horses were 22.2% for nasal swabs and 33.3% for blood samples. However, EHV-1 DNA was also detected in horses without seroconversion at a low rate. These resul...
MyD88-dependent recruitment of monocytes and dendritic cells required for protection from pulmonary Burkholderia mallei infection. The Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia mallei causes rapidly fatal illness in equines and humans when contracted by inhalation and also has the potential to be used as a bioweapon. However, little is known regarding the early innate immune responses and signaling mechanisms required to generate protection from pneumonic B. mallei infection. We showed previously that monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was a critical chemokine required for protection from pneumonic B. mallei infection. We have now extended those studies to identify key Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways, effec...
Plasma therapy in foals and adult horses. Although a range of plasma-based products (e.g., cryoprecipitate, albumin, platelet-rich plasma, individual coagulation factors) are available to human physicians, equine veterinarians are largely restricted to using whole blood, frozen plasma, and fresh frozen plasma for transfusions. The indications for frozen or fresh frozen plasma in human medicine are relatively limited, and there is little evidence supporting the efficacy of these products in many cases. Furthermore, many human physicians have concerns regarding disease transmission and anaphylactic reactions after administration of any ...
Bartonellae in animals and vectors in New Caledonia. Bartonellae are gram-negative facultative intracellular alpha-proteobacteria from the family Bartonellaceae. The natural history of bartonellae consists of a reservoir/host, which is a vertebrate with chronic intravascular infection with sustained bacteremia, and a vector (usually an arthropod) that transfers the bacteria from the reservoir to a susceptible yet uninfected host. In order to reveal the sources and reservoirs of Bartonella infection in animals and vectors in New Caledonia, we collected the blood samples of 64 dogs, 8 cats, 30 bovines, 25 horses and 29 wild deer Cervus timorensis ...
Mucosal co-immunization of mice with recombinant lactococci secreting VapA antigen and leptin elicits a protective immune response against Rhodococcus equi infection. Rhodococcus equi causes severe pneumonia in foals and has recently gained attention as a significant opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised humans. However, no effective vaccine to prevent rhodococcosis is currently available. In this study, we have engineered the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis to secrete the virulence-associated protein A from R. equi (LL-VapA). The immunogenic potential of LL-VapA strain was then evaluated after either intragastric or intranasal immunization in mice either alone or in combination with LL-Lep, a recombinant strain of L. lactis secreting biologic...
Generalised tetanus in a 2-week-old foal: use of physiotherapy to aid recovery. A 2-week-old Estonian Draft foal presented with signs of severe generalised tetanus, recumbency and inability to drink. The suspected source of infection was the umbilicus. Medical treatment was administered, including tetanus antitoxin, antimicrobial therapy and phenobarbital to control tetanic spasms. In addition, an intensive physiotherapy program was carried out during the recovery period. Techniques designed for syndromes involving upper motor neuron spasticity in humans were applied. Exercises aimed at weight-bearing and mobility were executed with the help of a walking-frame. The foal m...
Population screening of endangered horse breeds for the foal immunodeficiency syndrome mutation. The Fell and Dales are UK pony breeds that have small populations and may be at risk from in-breeding and inherited diseases. Foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS) is a lethal inherited disease caused by the recessive mutation of a single gene, which affects both Fell and Dales ponies and potentially other breeds that have interbred with either of these. FIS, previously known as Fell pony syndrome, is characterised by progressive anaemia and severe B lymphocyte deficiency. The identification of the causal mutation for this disease led to the recent development of a DNA-based carrier test. In th...
Outbreak of equine endometritis caused by a genotypically identical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that has been recognized as a cause of endometritis in mares. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to characterize and compare isolates of P. aeruginosa from an outbreak of endometritis and unrelated isolates collected at the same time as the outbreak. The restriction endonuclease digestion patterns and antimicrobial resistance profiles of all outbreak isolates were identical. Therefore, a single strain of P. aeruginosa was responsible for the cases of endometritis. The unrelated isolates could be distinguished from the outbreak strain u...
