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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.
Zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia duodenalis in horses and donkeys in northern China. Limited data are available on infection rates and genetic identity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia duodenalis in horses and donkeys. In this study, 865 fecal specimens were collected from donkeys (n = 540) and horses (n = 325) in three provinces and autonomous regions in northern China during 2015-2019. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected and genotyped by PCR and sequence analyses of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and G. duodenalis was detected and genotyped by PCR and sequence analyses of the β-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase, and triosephosphate isomerase g...
Fatal intestinal inflammatory lesions in equids in California: 710 cases (1990-2013). To determine incidences and underlying causes of fatal intestinal inflammatory lesions (FIILs) and demographic characteristics of affected equids necropsied at any of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory facilities between January 1, 1990, and April 16, 2013. Methods: 710 equids with FIILs, including colitis, duodenitis, enteritis, enterocolitis, enteropathy, enterotyphlitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, ileitis, jejunitis, typhlitis, or typhlocolitis, alone or in combination. Methods: The medical records were reviewed, and data collected included animal age, sex, geographic ...
Repair of an oronasal fistula with a two-layer closure method involving an autogenous fascia lata graft and oral mucosal flap in a pony. A 9-year-old pony gelding was evaluated because it was suspected that a persistent oronasal fistula had developed after a fractured right maxillary second premolar tooth had been extracted via repulsion 6 months earlier. Results: Unilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge and malodorous breath were noted on clinical examination. Examination of the oral cavity revealed a 1 × 0.5-cm defect at the oral aspect of the right maxillary second premolar alveolus, from which feed material was extracted. Endoscopic examination revealed feed material in the rostral aspect of the right nasal cavity, confirmi...
Equine Inflammatory Markers in the Twenty-First Century: A Focus on Serum Amyloid A. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a marker of inflammation and infection in the horse that can be assessed in the field, with rapid and marked changes seen following initiation of an inflammatory stimulus. This quality of SAA also makes its clinical use challenging, because even small inflammatory conditions can cause large changes in SAA levels. Review of the current literature provides guidelines for responses of SAA to various conditions, which can be applied to specific clinical cases. The practitioner is encouraged to use SAA in conjunction with physical examination and other diagnostic modalities...
Steroid synthesis and metabolism in the equine placenta during placentitis. Equine placentitis is associated with alterations in maternal peripheral steroid concentrations, which could negatively affect pregnancy outcome. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms related to steroidogenesis and steroid-receptor signaling in the equine placenta during acute placentitis. Chorioallantois (CA) and endometrial (EN) samples were collected from mares with experimentally induced placentitis (n = 4) and un-inoculated gestationally age-matched mares (control group; n = 4). The mRNA expression of genes coding for steroidogenic enzymes (3βHSD, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, CYP19...
Massive Africanized honeybee stings in two hair sheep and a mare. The findings of massive Africanized honeybee stings in two hair sheep and a mare are reported. One sheep died 15 h after attack, and the survivors developed skin necrosis on the sting sites. Pathological evaluation revealed necrosis in the dermis, degeneration of the tubular epithelial cells, and multifocal hemorrhages in heart and spleen. The massive attack by Africanized honeybees induced lesions in the skin, heart, muscles, kidneys, and lungs.
Mapping the bacterial ecology on the phyllosphere of dry and post soaked grass hay for horses. Soaking hay fodder to reduce dust and soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents prior to feeding is common practice among horse owners. Soaking can increase bacteria load in hay but no information exists on how this process alters the bacteria profile, which could pose a health risk or digestive challenge, to horses by introducing foreign bacteria into the gastrointestinal tract and so altering the normal profile. The current objectives were to map the bacterial profile of 3 different hays and determine how soaking alters this with the aim of improving best practice when feeding stabled horses. A Pe...
Stress conditions do not affect Theileria equi parasitemia levels in sub-clinically infected horses. Stress has been suggested as a risk factor for Theileria equi peracute disease and may lead to relapse in clinical signs in chronically infected horses. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of stress on T. equi parasitemia in sub-clinically infected horses in two settings: horses hospitalized at a veterinary teaching hospital and horses from an endurance farm. Blood samples were collected from the hospitalized horses (n = 32) upon admission (T0) and at discharge (T1) from the hospital, and results were compared between horses that underwent surgery (stress) and other hospitalized...
Drug Efficacy of Ivermectin Against Primary Nematodes Parasitizing Captive Przewalski’s Horse (Equus Ferus Przewalskii) after Ten Years of Annually Treatment. Reintroduction of endangered species to natural habitat is considered as an important tool for conservation. The effect of drug management on captive population of reintroduced species is largely neglected. Decreased drug efficacy could pose a substantial threat to health of animals. More importantly, captive population without proper drug administration could act as transmission medium of resistance nematodes to wild population, making it important to delay the occurrence of drug resistance in captive population. Ivermectin have been used in captive Przewalski's horse () to eradicate intestin...
Evaluation of a Marketed Polyherbal Dewormer Against Intestinal Strongyles in Naturally Infected Donkeys. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available polyherbal dewormer to control intestinal strongyles in naturally infected donkeys. The animals were allotted to two groups: treated with the herbal dewormer (n=8) according to manufacturer recommendations and untreated control group (n=6). Fecal samples were taken from each animal on days 0 (day of treatment), 14, 21 (day of second additional treatment), 35, and 42. Faecal egg count reduction tests showed very negligible or no reduction in number of strongyle eggs for donkeys in the phytotherapeutic treatment group compared to ...
Compilation of 29 years of postmortem examinations identifies major shifts in equine parasite prevalence from 2000 onwards. Horses are infected by a wide range of parasite species that form complex communities. Parasite control imposes significant constraints on parasite communities whose monitoring remains, however, difficult to track through time. Postmortem examination is a reliable method to quantify parasite communities. Here, we compiled 1,673 necropsy reports accumulated over 29 years, in the reference necropsy centre from Normandy (France). The burden of non-strongylid species was quantified and the presence of strongylid species was noted. Details of horse deworming history and the cause of death were reg...
Childhood horse and donkey bites; a single tertiary health center experience in a rural area. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department in a rural province of Turkey due to horse and donkey bites and to analyze whether these features differ from those of more common animal bites in rural areas. Methods: The records of patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department of a tertiary hospital due to horse and donkey bites over a 3-year period were examined retrospectively. Demographic data, month of presentation, animal species involved (horse or donkey), the body area bitten, treatment applied to the wound ...
A Common Practice of Widespread Antimicrobial Use in Horse Production Promotes Multi-Drug Resistance. The practice of prophylactic administration of a macrolide antimicrobial with rifampin (MaR) to apparently healthy foals with pulmonary lesions identified by thoracic ultrasonography (i.e., subclinically pneumonic foals) is common in the United States. The practice has been associated epidemiologically with emergence of R. equi resistant to MaR. Here, we report direct evidence of multi-drug resistance among foals treated with MaR. In silico and in vitro analysis of the fecal microbiome and resistome of 38 subclinically pneumonic foals treated with either MaR (n = 19) or gallium maltolate (...
Structural insights into NS5B protein of novel equine hepaciviruses and pegiviruses complexed with polymerase inhibitors. Infections produced by hepaciviruses have been associated with liver disease in horses. Currently, at least three viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family are capable of producing a chronic infection in equines: non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV), and equine pegivirus (EPgV). The RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of viruses (RdRp) (NS5 protein), from the flavivirus family, use de novo RNA synthesis to initiate synthesis. The two antiviral drugs currently used to treat hepatitis C (HCV), sofosbuvir and dasabuvir, act on the viral NS5B polymerase as nucleos...
Osteoarticular Infection in Three Young Thoroughbred Horses Caused by a Novel Gram Negative Cocco-Bacillus. We describe three cases of osteoarticular infection (OAI) in young thoroughbred horses in which the causative organism was identified by MALDI-TOF as . The pattern of OAI resembled that reported with infection in humans. Analysis by 16S rRNA PCR enabled construction of a phylogenetic tree that placed the isolates closer to and , rather than . Average nucleotide identity (ANI) comparison between the new isolate and and however revealed low probability that the new isolate belonged to either of these species. This preliminary analysis suggests the organism isolated is a previously unrecognis...
Bone Marrow Examination: Why, How, and What to Expect from the Pathologist. This article describes the indications for sampling of bone marrow, the technical aspects of obtaining marrow core biopsies and aspirates, and the preparation of marrow smears. All aspects are illustrated with clinical cases. The information that can be expected from the pathologist's report of marrow samples is outlined, and the clinical features and prognosis of different types of leukemia are detailed.
Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate Secondary to Persistent Frenulum of the Epiglottis in Neonatal Foal. Dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) usually occurs in athletic adult horses. Congenital DDSP in foals secondary to the persistent frenulum of the epiglottis is rarely observed. The aim of this report was to describe a case of a seven-day-old female neonate Quarter Horse presenting dysphagia, milk reflux through the nostrils and mouth, and expiratory dyspnea since 4 days. Thoracic auscultation was indicative of aspiration pneumonia. Diagnosis of DDSP associated with local inflammation was made after endoscopic examination of upper respiratory tract. Radiographic examination was perfo...
The composition of the perinatal intestinal microbiota in horse. The establishment of the intestinal microbiota is critical for the digestive and immune systems. We studied the early development of the rectal microbiota in horse, a hindgut fermenter, from birth until 7 days of age, by qPCR and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To evaluate initial sources of the foal microbiota, we characterised dam fecal, vaginal and oral microbiotas. We utilised an amplicon sequence variant (ASV) pipeline to maximise resolution and reproducibility. Stringent ASV filtering based on prevalence and abundance in samples and controls purged contaminants while preserving intest...
Retrospective Identification of Bacterial Isolates From Emergency Laparotomy Surgical Site Infections in Horses. Surgical site infection (SSI) with multiresistant bacteria is an important cause of postoperative morbidity after laparotomy in horses. The objective of this study was to identify bacteria isolates and their antibiotic resistance patterns associated with the development of wound infection in horses after laparotomy. This is a retrospective case series. Medical records of horses that underwent ventral midline exploratory laparotomy in a four-year period at one equine hospital were reviewed. Results of microbiologic culture and susceptibility testing are described. The study group consisted of 1...
Rhodococcus equi Joint Sepsis and Osteomyelitis Is Associated With a Grave Prognosis in Foals. The most common pathologic manifestation of , a gram-positive, facultative intracellular bacterium, is pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals and weanlings. Hematogenous spread of bacteria may subsequently occur, resulting in joint sepsis, osteomyelitis, or subcutaneous abscessation. Medical records from horses presenting to the Cornell University Equine Hospital from 1998 to 2018 were reviewed for cases diagnosed with joint and/or bone infection, and information about case progression and outcome were analyzed. We hypothesized that, despite advances in diagnostic imaging, antimicrobials and ant...
A Study on the Potential Role of Occlusal Fissure Fractures in the Etiopathogenesis of Equine Cheek Teeth Apical Infections. Thirty-nine equine cheek teeth diagnosed as having anachoretic apical infections and also having occlusal fissure fractures, but without occlusal pulpar exposure, that had been orally extracted without causing occlusal damage and 10 control teeth were used in this study. The teeth were individually imaged by computed tomography, occlusally stained with methylene blue and visually reexamined, then sectioned subocclusally at 5 mm intervals until the fissure fractures could no longer be detected. A limited histological study was then performed on 7 apically infected and 5 control teeth. Standard ...
Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in livestock in Palestine. Trypanosoma evansi is the causative agent of surra, a disease that occurs in many animal species. The disease is responsible for substantial losses in global production and can be fatal if not diagnosed early. This study aims to determine the prevalence of T. evansi in livestock, equids and dromedary camels in Palestine. Methods: Blood samples were collected during 2015-2017 from domesticated animals (n = 259 animals; 77% females and 23% males) including camels (n = 87), horses (n = 46), donkeys (n = 28), mules (n = 2), sheep (n = 49) and goats (n = 48) from eight districts: Ariha (Jericho), N...
Neutrophils, monocytes and other immune components in the equine endometrium: Friends or foes? The innate and adaptive immune mechanisms are key components of regulation of reproductive physiological function and uterine disorders in equine uterus. The predominant immunological response in equine endometrium, characterized by an innate immune response, occurs under estrogens influence, in the follicular phase. Although, the increase in immune-related genes in equine endometrium during estrus has been suggested to play a role in uterine clearance after mating, immune cells and their product, i.e. cytokines play also mandatory role in the luteal development and maintenance, regression of ...
Equine pastern vasculitis in a horse associated with a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate. Equine pastern vasculitis is an uncommon disorder in horses. Underlying causes are difficult to assess, especially bacterial infections. Conclusions: A 13-year-old French saddle gelding horse presented for evaluation of a six weeks history of pastern dermatitis. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy samples revealed small vessel vasculitis. A pure growth of a multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA) was obtained from a deep skin biopsy. Clinical remission was observed after a six week course of enrofloxacin and lesions did not recur. Conclusions: To the best of the authors' kno...
Equine Herpesvirus-I Infection in Horses: Recent Updates on its Pathogenicity, Vaccination, and Preventive Management Strategies. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is one of the most common and ubiquitous viral pathogens infecting equines, particularly horses worldwide. The EHV-1 is known to induce not only humoral but also cellular immune responses in horses. Respiratory distress, abortion in pregnant mares, neurological disorders, and neonatal foal deaths represent EHV-1 infection. Despite the limited success of inactivated, subunit, live, and DNA vaccines, over the past few decades, vaccination remains the prime preventive option to combat EHV-1 infection in horses. However, current vaccines lack the potentiality to protec...
Multinodular Malignant Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumor in a Horse With Generalized Pruritus and Reactive Fibrosis: A Case Report. Mast cell tumor (MCT) has long been considered as an uncommon neoplasm in horses. Cytological and behavioral evidence of its malignancy is usually lacking, and only a few reports have described MCT displaying malignant behavior. An 18-year-old Friesian stallion presented with a one-year history of intermittent and progressive skin lesions on the left forelimb associated with intense, generalized pruritus and apathy temporarily responsive to glucocorticoids and antibiotics. The horse was alert and responsive with poor body condition and marked generalized pruritus. The left forelimb was markedl...
Molecular and genomic characterization of a novel equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus. Cases of pox-like lesions in horses and donkeys have been associated with poxviruses belonging to different genera of the family . These include the orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus (VACV), horsepoxvirus (HPXV) and cowpoxvirus (CPXV), as well as a potentially novel parapoxvirus and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). However, with the exception of VACV, HPXV and CPXV, the genomic characterization of the causative agents remains largely elusive with only single short genome fragments available. Here we present the first full-length genome sequence of an equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus (EM...
Prevalence and multilocus analysis of Giardia duodenalis in racehorses in China. Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic intestinal parasite infecting humans and mammals worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of G. duodenalis in racehorses in China and genetically characterized it. In total, 621 fecal samples were collected from racehorses at 17 equestrian clubs in 15 cities in China. Forty-eight (7.7%) animals from 11 equestrian clubs were positive for G. duodenalis of assemblages A (n = 10), B (n = 36), and E (n = 2), based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of this parasite were...
