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.
Norcross NL, Coggins L.The spleens of horses infected with equine infectious anemia contain an antigen that is useful for a diagnostic immunodiffusion test. This antigen was extracted from the spleen by homogenization of the tissue, centrifugation, and precipitation from the supernatant fluid at 50% saturation with (NH(4))(2)SO(4). The antigen was purified by subjecting it to two cycles of electrophoresis in a continuous free-flow electrophoresis cell and finally filtering through a column of Sephadex G-200 gel. The antigen was found to be a small protein with a molecular weight of 27,500 and sedimentation coefficie...
Bonaduce A, Martone F, Bonaduce D, Vaccaro A.The six strains were not antigenically different from strains isolated in Naples in 1967 and Andria in 1968.
Garcia-Tamayo J.The mode of development of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus and the activity of acid phosphatase in the central nervous system of newborn mice were investigated. Precursor particles appeared to be formed in masses of viroplasm, migrating to the membrane of the Golgi cisterns and vacuoles or to the plasma membrane and being transformed into mature viral particles by budding. Mature viral particles were also found in the lumen of the blood vessels and around the myelin sheath of axons. Increased number of Golgi complexes and depletion of polysomes were the main ultrastructural alteratio...
Genchi C, Malnati G.Strongyloides westeri larvae transmission by mare milk in foals has been studied; the results show the importance of this route for parasite penetration.
Stitz L, Richt JA, Rott R.An overview of the pathogenesis of Borna disease (BD) in rats as a model for the naturally occurring infection in horses and sheep is presented. Our findings revealed a virus infection in which a virus-specific T cell-mediated immune response leads to disease. The immune cells capable of mediating this immunopathological reaction were defined as helper/inducer T cells. In all, the described observations indicate that CD4+ T cells and macrophages trigger a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and cause BD together with other cells of the immune system.
Baker RE, Schlipf JW, Brady JV, Gorman ME.A 6-year-old Cheval Canadien mare was presented for clinical signs related to acute kidney injury after receiving a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy. Cytologic examination of concentrated urine revealed small protozoal organisms that were later identified as Klossiella equi. Both sporocysts and free-floating sporozoites were identified in the urine, which has not been previously documented. The mare responded well to intravenous fluid therapy, and as she regained tubular function, the presence of the protozoa in the urine also abated. The mare was discharged from the hospital a...
Jennings JE.A 21-year-old Appaloosa mare was presented with a pigmented cutaneous mass at the base of the right side of the neck. The diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis due to pigmented fungi, known as Pyrenophora phaeocomes and Drechslera nobleae, was made based on a histopathology report followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 18S rRNA gene sequencing. The mass was surgically excised with clean margins, which is usually curative. Une jument Appaloosa âgée de 21 ans a été présentée avec une masse cutanée pigmentée à la base du côté droit du cou. Le diagnostic de phæohyphomycose causée p...
Ferguson JA, Reeves WC, Hardy JL.Serologic studies in 24 ponies indicated that prevaccination antibodies to Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus (strain TC-83) had no influence on hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibody stimulation by western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) or eastern equine encephalomyelits (EEE)-WEE vaccines. However, studies of the effects of VEE neutralizing antibodies on neutralizing antibody stimulation by the heterologous alphavirus vaccines were inconclusive. The VEE, WEE, and EEE antibody responses were studied in 18 VEE-vaccinated (strain TC-83) animals (13 ponies and 5 horses) at 9 to 1...
