Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases in horses encompass a range of illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can affect various systems within the equine body, leading to symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe systemic illness. Common infectious diseases in horses include equine influenza, strangles, equine herpesvirus, and West Nile virus. These diseases can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated surfaces, or vectors such as insects. Understanding the mechanisms of transmission, pathogenesis, and immune response is essential for effective prevention and control. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and management of infectious diseases in horses.
Development of an indirect ELISA for the detection of venezuelan equine encephalitis virus specific antibodies in horses. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen to which equines are most susceptible mammals hosts with a high mortality rate raging from19 to 83%. The virus, transmitted between vertebrates and mosquitos, causes unpredictable sporadic epizootic outbreaks in equids and humans across Central and South America. Although VEEV is not currently circulating in Europe the combination of global change, increasing international trade and the presence of potentially competent vectors (mosquitoes of the genera Aedes and Culex), raises a non-negligible risk of its introduct...
A retrospective study of morbidity and mortality in captive Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii) between 1973 and 2021. Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii) were declared extinct in the wild in 1996, but reintroduction programmes initiated in 1997 have enabled the re-establishment of free-ranging populations. The maintenance of healthy captive populations remains essential to support these conservation efforts, yet systematic pathological investigations in captive Przewalski's horses are lacking. This study provides the first necropsy-based overview of morbidity and mortality in a captive European population. Pathology reports from 64 horses examined between 1973 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Acros...
Genomic diversity of multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus equi: novel sequence types, pangenome architecture, and phylogenomic evolution. Rhodococcus equi is a major cause of life-threatening pneumonia in foals under 6 months of age and an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised humans. Although common in soil and equine farm environments, its evolutionary dynamics, virulence architecture, and pathways of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emergence remain poorly understood. This study integrated phenotypic characterization and whole-genome sequencing of 46 R. equi isolates from horses submitted for necropsy (n = 45) and equine fecal samples (n = 1) in Kentucky between January 2022 and December 2023 to define their resistance la...
Prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in equines in Egypt. Staphylococcus aureus is a common commensal organism in both humans and animals, frequently colonizing the skin and nasal cavities of healthy individuals, although it can also cause a wide range of severe infections. The present study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of S. aureus in equines, along with antimicrobial resistance patterns of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. The results revealed a prevalence of 38.6% in nasal samples collected from equines, highlighting the organism's significant presence and potential to cause infections in these animals. A genotypic p...
Molecular and parasitological evidence of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis infection in a horse from Brazil. Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis is an emerging human pathogen with increasing reports of infection in domestic animals. This study describes a naturally infected mare from Brazil with no history of international travel, presenting with persistent nodular cutaneous lesions and cervical lymph node enlargement, without evidence of systemic involvement. Considering the endemicity of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in the study area, as well as previous reports of equine leishmaniasis, infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum was initially suspected. Anti-L. (L.) infantum antibodies ...
Viral Hepatitis. Since 2012, 2 viral causes of hepatitis have been identified in horses. Much remains to be discovered about their transmission, risk factors for clinical disease, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. Equine parvovirus-hepatitis has been identified as the cause of acute hepatic necrosis, previously known as Theiler's disease. Equine hepacivirus is recognized as a cause of chronic fibrosing hepatitis. Diagnosis relies on ruling out other causes of hepatitis and documenting infection by serum or liver polymerase chain reaction. There is no direct antiviral for either condition and treatments are ...
Evaluation of two point-of-care molecular diagnostic platforms for rapid detection of equine Hendra virus. Hendra virus (HeV) is a lethal zoonotic pathogen endemic to eastern Australia, posing significant risks to equine and human health. Rapid field detection of HeV enables timely intervention and outbreak management. This study evaluated candidate point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostic platforms for HeV detection in equine samples: including a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (DARQ RT-LAMP) assay and real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Comparative analytical evaluation demonstrated that RT-qPCR exhibited superior analytical sensitivity relativ...
Herd-level occurrence and spread of Theileria equi and its associated ticks on an Austrian horse farm. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by the blood parasites Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi transmitted primarily by hard ticks (Ixodidae). The clinical courses of EP range from asymptomatic to severe, and chronic infections for several years support the transmission among hosts. Methods: Over a period of two years, blood and fecal samples were taken from horses (n = 18) on a single farm in eastern Austria, starting with the first confirmed case of T. equi infection. Hard ticks (n = 1525 of Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis ...
Integrative and conjugative elements carrying high-level gentamicin resistance genes in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis from horses. In streptococci, the acquisition of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) abolishes the synergy with beta-lactams, constituting a medical concern for humans and animals. This synergy between gentamicin and beta-lactams is useful to treat severe infections like endocarditis, among others. HLGR has been characterized mostly in roup B Streptococci mediated by the bi-functional gene (6)-(2).HLGR- subsp. () (=27) were isolated from the uterus of mares during a routine screening before fecundation. One HLGR- was isolated from a lymph node of a mare. The mares resided in six different studs locat...
Isolation and Identification of Emerging Equine Encephalosis Virus Serotype 6 in Israel, 2023. Equine encephalosis (EE) is an arthropod-borne viral disease resembling a mild form of African horse sickness disease, which affects all species of equids. Previously, only EEV serotype 4 (EEV-4) caused sporadic outbreaks of the disease in Israel. In the summer of 2023, EE was clinically diagnosed in horses and donkeys in Israel. For laboratory confirmation, tissue cultures were inoculated with whole-blood samples obtained from sick animals. Five EEV isolates were successfully recovered in tissue and confirmed by conventional RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing of several viral genes. BLAST analysis ...
Surveillance of equine glanders in India (2019-2023): Prevalence estimate, risk analysis and future strategy. Equine glanders, a notifiable zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei, continues to pose a significant health and regulatory challenge in India. This study summarizes the outcomes of a nationwide sero surveillance programme conducted between January 2019 and December 2023 to assess the distribution and temporal trends of glanders in equid populations. A total of 158,798 serum samples collected from 391 districts across 19 states and three union territories were screened using Hcp1-based indirect ELISA, followed by confirmatory testing through the complement fixation test. During the fiv...
Verminous mastitis caused by Cephalobus cubaensis infection in a mare. A 7-y-old American Quarter Horse mare was presented to a veterinary hospital for ongoing reproductive monitoring and management of endometritis. During physical evaluation, several nodular lesions of unknown origin and duration were discovered in the mammae. Histologically, biopsies from the lesions were confirmed as severe granulomatous mastitis with intralesional rhabditid nematodes. A putative diagnosis of or infection was assigned, and ivermectin (1.2 mg/kg PO) treatment was given every 2 wk. When lesions persisted after the initial dose of ivermectin, PCR testing of and gene targe...
Possible Effects of C-Reactive Protein in the Central Nervous System During Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus vectored by mosquitos. It can cause disease in equines and humans characterised by a febrile illness that may progress into encephalitis. Replication of VEEV in the central nervous system induces activation of glial cells and neurons, compromising the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inducing a state of neuroinflammation. This inflammation can lead to symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma, and sustained inflammation contributes to neurodegeneration. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker that has previously been associated wit...
CXCL16-associated genetic susceptibility to equine viral arteritis in export-bound horses from Spain. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) remains a relevant health and economic concern due to the ability of some infected stallions to establish long-term persistent infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV). Allelic variation in the CXCL16 gene has been identified as a determinant of susceptibility or resistance to the carrier state, positioning genotyping as a useful tool for risk-based reproductive and health management. Objective: To characterise the distribution of CXCL16 genotypes in export-bound horses from Spain and to assess the utility of CXCL16 genotyping for EVA prevention and control. Met...
Immunization of Foals with Equine Rotavirus A Vaccine Can Stabilize or Increase Rotavirus-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Titers. Despite a monovalent G3P[12] ('G3') vaccine being available for horses, equine rotavirus A (ERVA) is still the predominant infectious pathogen causing diarrhea in foals in the United States of America (U.S.). Previous research has shown that maternal neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers are too high and will interfere with the vaccination of foals at 30 and 45 days of age. We aimed to determine if it is possible to increase NAb titers in foals through vaccination before they are vulnerable to ERVA infection. We immunized two foals with the commercially available vaccine (G3) at solely three mont...
Exposure in Horses to Human Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Agent Borrelia persica, Israel, 2025. Human tick-borne relapsing fever caused by Borrelia persica is common in western Asia. A survey of 301 horses in Israel revealed 9.96% seropositivity toward B. persica antigens; 1 horse (0.33%) was also PCR positive for B. persica DNA. Phylogenetic analysis supported a transmission cycle involving ticks, humans, and horses.
High frequency and high genetic diversity of Pneumocystis sp. in foals. Twenty-two foals, aged one to seven months, which died from interstitial pneumonia (15 foals) or unrelated illnesses and injuries (7 foals), were enrolled in this study. Sampling of the lungs was performed post-mortem for a total of 52 specimens. Pneumocystis was detected in 21/22 foals (48/52 specimens) using a PCR assay targeting the gene encoding the small subunit of the mitochondrial rRNA (mtSSUrRNA) of the horse-related Pneumocystis (Pneumocystis sp. 'Equus ferus caballus'). The sequencing of the PCR products was successful in 34/48 specimens. The sequences were identical to the horse-rel...
Vaginal host-microbe signatures linked to placental outcomes in mares. Ascending placentitis is a leading cause of late-term pregnancy loss in mares. Although pathogens are presumed to ascend from the caudal reproductive tract, the association between the vaginal microbiome and placentitis has not been systematically examined. Objective: To characterise microbial and host gene expression in the equine vagina during gestation and to identify taxa or transcripts that were associated with the presence of an abnormal placenta at birth. Methods: Prospective, paired observational study. Methods: Vaginal wall swabs were collected from 49 multiparous Thoroughbred mares a...
Molecular prevalence of equine parvovirus hepatitis in healthy horses from the Northern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) was initially linked to fatal cases of equine serum hepatitis but, more recently, it has also been detected in sick or asymptomatic horses around the world, including in a limited number of horses in southeastern Brazil. In this study we aimed to assess the prevalence of EqPV-H DNA in the serum of healthy horses in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. For this purpose, we used 1000 serum samples collected from horses from 40 municipalities and organized them into 200 pools of five samples each, based on origin and age. Using a nested ...
First confirmed report of equine coital exanthema in Uruguayan horses. Equine Coital Exanthema (ECE) is a contagious venereal disease caused by Equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV‑3). Although ECE is self-limiting, it causes significant economic losses to the global equine industry due to the temporary segregation of affected mares and stallions from breeding activities. This report describes the epidemiological, clinical, histological, and molecular findings from an outbreak of ECE in Uruguayan horses. Seven days following the introduction of a stallion, five mares developed extensive papular and vesicular dermatitis in the vaginal and perineal regions. The stallion...
Integrated workflow for production and in vitro characterization of equine anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune serum with epitope mapping. This study establishes an integrated workflow linking antibody production, neutralization assessment, and epitope mapping, supporting the identification of antigenic regions recognized by polyclonal antibodies generated in vivo. The viral suspension was inactivated with β-propiolactone under biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) conditions, with no cytopathic effect or plaque formation observed, confirming loss of viral replicative capacity. The produced immunogen retained antigenic activity, as demonstrated by reactivity with IgG antibodies from vaccinated and previously infected individuals. Protein an...
Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from members of the families camelidae and equidae worldwide: a systematic review. Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with a global distribution and significant public health and veterinary treatment implications. The present systematic review collates worldwide information on the genotypic diversity of T. gondii isolates infecting Camelidae (camels, alpacas, llamas, etc.) and Equidae (horses, donkeys, zebras, mules, etc.) and highlights their potential role as sentinels of environmental contamination and zoonotic spread. An exhaustive literature search of six electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) from ...
Global prevalence and epidemiological determinants of African horse sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly fatal, vector-borne viral disease of equids with substantial economic and animal health impacts, particularly in endemic regions. Despite numerous epidemiological studies, reported prevalence estimates remain highly variable, and a comprehensive quantitative synthesis is lacking. This study aimed to systematically evaluate and synthesize the global prevalence of AHS and to identify sources of epidemiological heterogeneity. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with the protocol registered in the Open Scie...
In vitro cultivation of Trypanosoma equiperdum: Comparison of in vitro and in vivo antigens for an ethical and sustainable serological diagnosis of Dourine. The protozoan Trypanosoma equiperdum is the causative agent of Dourine, a contagious sexually transmitted disease of equines that can manifest itself in chronic or acute form. Dourine has serious veterinary and economic implications, as there are no vaccines available for prevention and the management of the disease requires the culling of infected animals, together with rigorous sanitary control measures. This study compares the traditional production of T. equiperdum antigen grown in vivo, with an in vitro cultivation methodology developed to eliminate the use of animals. The in vitro and in...
Horse racing towards antibiotic resistance. Accompanying animals as a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a significant issue in modern infectious medicine and veterinary science, with animals, including horses, playing a crucial role in its dissemination. Antibiotics, used both for treatment and prevention of diseases in animals, influence the composition of the microbiota and promote the selection of resistant strains that can be transmitted to humans through direct or environmental contact. Horses, currently classified as companion animals, serve as a reservoir of commensal and pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains capable of horizontal gene transfe...
The prevalence of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi carriers in the Netherlands. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) carriers are thought to be important drivers for strangles outbreaks. Limited data are available on the prevalence of carriers in European horse husbandry settings. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of S. equi carriers among apparently healthy adult horses and ponies in the Netherlands. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: The carrier prevalence in the Netherlands was estimated, detecting carriers by PCR analysis of three repeated nasopharyngeal lavages at weekly intervals. Bayesian methods were used for a true prevalence estimation. Result...
Equine sentinels and one health: a comprehensive serological survey of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in southeastern and Central Europe. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the widespread tick-borne viral disease affecting humans with endemic circulation across Africa, Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe. Climate change, global travel, and animal trade have accelerated the expansion of spp., the primary tick vectors of CCHF, into previously non-endemic areas, including the Czech Republic. To assess the current distribution of CCHF in equids across Southeastern and Central Europe, we screened serum samples from horses and donkeys from Bulgaria ( = 579), Romania ( = 1,534), and the Czech Republic ( = 576) by the ...
Glanders: Past, Present and Future of a Neglected Zoonosis as a Threat in Veterinary and Human Health. Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders, a serious zoonotic disease of major concern for both animal and human health. This highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterium is always classified as a biothreat agent. In this review, we covered a comprehensive overview of glanders, including the biology of the pathogen, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, control strategies and ongoing eradication programs in Eurasia. We also summarized human case reports, differential diagnosis, treatment and organism's antimicrobial properties. The section on vaccine development is among the...
Autochthonous Leishmaniosis in Dogs, Cats, Horses, and Wildlife in the United States of America. Leishmaniasis is endemic in 99 countries worldwide, including the United States of America (USA). Its causative pathogens, spp. have been detected in both humans and animals within the USA. Lately, we have comprehensively reviewed autochthonous leishmaniasis in humans in this region. Animals play a pivotal role in maintaining its endemicity in some endemic areas and regions, for example, dogs in Brazil and the Mediterranean. In this review, we thoroughly examine autochthonous leishmaniosis in dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife in the USA, and we synthesize integration across species, transmissi...
Multivalent Disabled Infectious Single Animal (DISA)-DIVA vaccine for all nine serotypes of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is broadly protective in IFNAR (-/-) mice. African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly severe, midge-borne disease of equids showing a mortality rate of > 90% in naive domestic horses. Outbreaks are caused by AHS virus (AHSV) and result in devastating economic losses in developing countries as equids play a crucial role in the agricultural industry and many households. The AHSV species encompasses nine serotypes showing no or limited cross protection, which is challenging regarding AHS vaccine development. Recently, and like bluetongue virus (BTV), the AHS Disabled Infectious Single Animal (DISA)-DIVA vaccine platform was developed...
