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Topic:Public Health
The topic of Public Health and horses encompasses the study of interactions between equine populations and human health systems. It involves examining the transmission of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transferred between animals and humans, as well as the role of horses in the epidemiology of such diseases. This field also considers the impact of equine-related activities on public health, including injuries and environmental effects. Research in this area often explores preventive measures, management strategies, and policies to mitigate health risks associated with horses. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the intersection of equine and public health, focusing on disease transmission, risk assessment, and health management strategies.
Neutralising antibodies to West Nile virus detected in horses in Windhoek, Namibia. West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne virus maintained in nature by a bird-mosquito cycle. However, it can occasionally and accidentally infect horses and human beings, leading to sometimes severe or even fatal outcomes in these species. Therefore, the monitoring of its circulation and disease occurrence is of relevance. Unfortunately, it is underdiagnosed or not diagnosed in several African counties, including Namibia, where no data is currently available for horses. In this study, 98 horses in three different stables in the Windhoek city area were investigated. They were found to have a se...
Leishmania V. braziliensis infection in asymptomatic domestic animals within an endemic region in the Northeast of Brazil. American cutaneous leishmaniasis is a commonly neglected, vector-borne tropical parasitic disease that is a major public health concern in Brazil. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main species associated with the disease. Accurate diagnosis is based on epidemiological surveillance, clinical assessment, and laboratory testing. Leishmania (V.) braziliensis has been detected in several wild and synanthropic mammals. Their epidemiological role has not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to assess potential L. braziliensis infections in asymptomatic domestic animals, by molecular and...
A review of horses as a source of spreading livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to human health. Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) was first discovered in horses in 1989. Since then, LA-MRSA has begun to be considered an important strain of pathogenic bacteria in horses, which can cause LA-MRSA infection and colonization in humans with public health impacts. The anterior nares are the primary site of LA-MRSA colonization in horses, although LA-MRSA colonization may also occur in the gastrointestinal tract in horses. LA-MRSA-infected horses typically exhibit clinical infection or may not exhibit clinical infection. There are two potential risks asso...
Prevalence of and risk factors associated with Salmonella shedding among equids presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for colic (2013-2018). Gastrointestinal disease has been associated with shedding of Salmonella with previous studies demonstrating that horses with colic have a higher risk of acquiring and shedding Salmonella organisms. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Salmonella shedding in a colic population at a referral clinic. Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Methods: For each colic case that was positive for Salmonella (n = 56), two colic cases (n = 112) that tested negative for Salmonella, were enrolled as controls. Associations between va...
Fitness cost conferred by the novel erm(51) and rpoB mutation on environmental multidrug resistant-Rhodococcus equi. Rhodococcus equi is a common cause of severe pneumonia in foals. Emergence of macrolide-resistant R. equi isolated from foals and their environment has been reported in the United States. A novel erm(51) gene was recently identified in R. equi in soil from horse farms in Kentucky. Our objective was to determine the effect of the erm(51) gene and associated rpoB mutation on the fitness of multidrug resistant-R. equi (MDR-R. equi) under different nutrient conditions. Bacterial growth curves were generated for 3 MDR-R. equi isolates and 3 wild-type (WTN) R. equi isolates recovered from environmen...
The Microbiological Quality of Concentrates for Horses-A Retrospective Study on Influencing Factors and Associations with Clinical Symptoms Reported by Owners or Referring Vets. Evidence has already been provided that feed-borne mold spores and endotoxins can trigger chronic, non-infectious respiratory disease if inhaled. Furthermore, deficiencies in feed microbiology are suspected to trigger gastrointestinal and liver disorders in horses, but the connection needs further clarification. Most of the previous studies regarding horse feed hygiene focused on forage, whereas research regarding hygienic quality of concentrates is scarce. In the present study, results of reports on hygienic quality of compound feed and cereals for horses were evaluated secondarily. Results i...
Deoxynivalenol Degradation by Various Microbial Communities and Its Impacts on Different Bacterial Flora. Deoxynivalenol, a mycotoxin that may present in almost all cereal products, can cause huge economic losses in the agriculture industry and seriously endanger food safety and human health. Microbial detoxifications using microbial consortia may provide a safe and effective strategy for DON mitigation. In order to study the interactions involving DON degradation and change in microbial flora, four samples from different natural niches, including a chicken stable (expJ), a sheep stable (expY), a wheat field (expT) and a horse stable (expM) were collected and reacted with purified DON. After being...
Social Licence to Operate: What Can Equestrian Sports Learn from Other Industries? The concept of 'social licence to operate' (SLO) is relevant to all animal-use activities. An SLO is an intangible, implicit agreement between the public and an industry/group. Its existence allows that industry/group to pursue its activities with minimal formalised restrictions because such activities have widespread societal approval. In contrast, the imposition of legal restrictions-or even an outright ban-reflect qualified or lack of public support for an activity. This review discusses current threats to equestrianism's SLO and suggests actions that those across the equine sector need to ...
Potent Neutralizing Activity of Polyclonal Equine Antibodies Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Variants of Concern. Several anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have received emergency authorization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. However, most of these mAbs are not active against the highly mutated Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariants. We have tested a polyclonal approach of equine anti-SARS-CoV-2 F(ab')2 antibodies that achieved a high level of neutralizing potency against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern tested including Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12 and BA.4/5. A repertoire of antibodies targeting conserved epitopes in different regi...
Serosurveillance of equine coronavirus infection among Thoroughbreds in Japan. Equine coronavirus (ECoV) causes fever, lethargy, anorexia and gastrointestinal signs in horses. There has been limited information about the prevalence and seasonality of ECoV among Thoroughbreds in Japan. Objective: To understand the epidemiology and to evaluate the potential risk of ECoV infection to the horse industry in Japan. Methods: Longitudinal. Methods: The virus-neutralisation (VN) test was performed using sera collected three times a year at 4 months intervals from 161 yearlings and at 6-7 months intervals from 181 active racehorses in Japan in 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020....
Structural insights into the binding of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and hCoV-NL63 spike receptor-binding domain to horse ACE2. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2, and human coronavirus (hCoV)-NL63 utilize ACE2 as the functional receptor for cell entry, which leads to zoonotic infection. Horses (Equus caballus) attracted our attention because the spike protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses bind equine ACE2 (eACE2) with high affinity. Here we show that eACE2 binds the RBDs of these three coronaviruses and also SARS-CoV-2 variants but with lower affinities compared with human ACE2 (hACE2). Structural analysis and mutation assays indica...
Molecular occurrence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in equids in Jilin, China. Toxoplasma gondii, one of the important zoonotic parasites, has been detected in lots of hosts including humans, with a widespread prevalence. The products of equids, such as meat and milk, have been closely related to humans' life. As the intermediate hosts, little is known about equids toxoplasmosis in Jilin province. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infections in equids from Jilin, northeastern China. In this study, a total of 245 blood samples of equids (192 horses, 25 donkeys and 28 mules) were collected from six localitie...
Frequency of Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Nasal Secretions From Healthy Sport Horses Attending a Spring Show in California. The objective of this study was to determine detection frequency of respiratory viruses (equine influenza virus [EIV], equine herpesvirus-1 [EHV-1], EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5, equine rhinitis A virus [ERAV], ERBV) and bacteria (Streptococcus equi ss. equi[S. equi], S. equi ss. zooepidemicus[S. zooepidemicus]) in 162 nasal secretions and 149 stall swabs from healthy sport horses attending a spring show in California. Nasal and stall swabs were collected at a single time point and analyzed using qPCR. The detection frequency of respiratory pathogens in nasal secretions was 38.9% for EHV-2, 36.4% for E...
Novel variant Hendra virus genotype 2 infection in a horse in the greater Newcastle region, New South Wales, Australia. In October 2021, the first contemporary detection of Hendra virus genotype 2 (HeV-g2) was made by veterinary priority disease investigation in a horse near Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, as part of routine veterinary priority disease surveillance. This discovery followed an update of Hendra virus diagnostic assays following retrospective identification of this variant from 2015 via sentinel emerging infectious disease research, enabling timely detection of this case. The sole infected horse was euthanized in moribund condition. As the southernmost recognised HeV spill-over detection to...
An Initial Survey of Volunteer Perceptions of Horses in Equine-Assisted Services: Volunteer Experiences, Training, and Educational Needs. Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) gained a foothold in the healthcare industry as a unique modality addressing the physical, cognitive, and psychological health issues for people across the lifespan. These services require a team approach, with volunteer support playing a prominent role in service delivery. Volunteers are a precious resource for EAS programs and step into a variety of support roles, including preparation and handling. However, little is known about the horse-volunteer relationship or factors that influence their working relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this web-based surv...
Coccidioidomycosis in 26 horses in California, USA: case series and review of the literature. Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease caused by or . We searched the records of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory from 1990 through 2020 for cases of coccidioidomycosis in horses. The selection criteria for these cases were: 1) live-born horses submitted for autopsy, and 2) a diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis was established, regardless of cause of death. During that time, 19,054 horses were received, and 26 cases (0.14%) of coccidioidomycosis were diagnosed in horses, of which 19 (73%) cases had pneumonia and/or pleuritis with or without lesions in other organs, and 7 (2...
Epidemiology and Traits of Mobile Colistin Resistance (mcr) Gene-Bearing Organisms from Horses. Mobile colistin resistance () genes (-1 to -10) threaten the efficacy of colistin (COL), a polymyxin antibiotic that is used as a last-line agent for the treatment of deadly infections caused by multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant bacteria in humans and animals. COL has been used for more than 60 years for the prophylactic control and treatment of infections in livestock husbandry but not in horses. Polymyxin B is used for the prophylactic control and empirical treatment of infections in horses without conducting sensitivity tests. The lack of sensitivity testing exerts selectio...
Host and Species-Specificities of Pattern Recognition Receptors Upon Infection With Leptospira interrogans. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease affecting all vertebrates. It is caused by species of the genus Leptospira, among which are the highly pathogenic L. interrogans. Different mammals can be either resistant or susceptible to the disease which can present a large variety of symptoms. Humans are mostly asymptomatic after infection but can have in some cases symptoms varying from a flu-like syndrome to more severe forms such as Weil's disease, potentially leading to multiorgan failure and death. Similarly, cattle, pigs, and horses can suffer from acute forms of the disease, including ...
Prevalence and risk factors of epizootic lymphangitis in cart pulling horses and mules in Central and South Gondar zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Epizootic lymphangitis (EZL) is a chronic, contagious disease of equids caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum. The disease is often prevalent in cart pulling equids in developing countries. This study was undertaken in Central and South Gondar zones of Amhara region, Ethiopia with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of EZL in cart pulling horses and mules and identifying the risk factors of the disease. Two towns, one high altitude and one mid altitude, from each of the two zones were included for the study. A total of 528 cart pulling horses and mules from the ...
Nanoparticle- and Microparticle-Based Vaccines against Orbiviruses of Veterinary Importance. Bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) are widespread arboviruses that cause important economic losses in the livestock and equine industries, respectively. In addition to these, another arthropod-transmitted orbivirus known as epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) entails a major threat as there is a conducive landscape that nurtures its emergence in non-endemic countries. To date, only vaccinations with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines permit the control of these three viral diseases, although important drawbacks, e.g., low safety profile and effectiveness...
Retrospective Investigation in Horses with Encephalitis Reveals Unnoticed Circulation of West Nile Virus in Brazil. During these past years, several studies have provided serological evidence regarding the circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) in Brazil. Despite some reports, much is still unknown regarding the genomic diversity and transmission dynamics of this virus in the country. Recently, genomic monitoring activities in horses revealed the circulation of WNV in several Brazilian regions. These findings on the paucity of genomic data reinforce the need for prompt investigation of WNV infection in horses, which may precede human cases of encephalitis in Brazil. Thus, in this study, we retrospectively scr...
Mental health benefits of mounted equine-assisted therapies: A scoping review. Across mental health professionals, there is growing interest in the field of Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT). Preliminary evidence suggests EAT is beneficial for a wide spectrum of client populations. EAT programs may be based on groundwork alone, where participants interact with the horses from the ground only, or they may incorporate mounted activities. It remains unclear whether mounted activities add therapeutic benefits to the EAT experience for participants. This scoping review explored whether mounted activities, specifically where the client rides the horse, contribute to distinct thera...
Prevalence and whole genome-based phylogenetic, virulence and antibiotic -resistance characteristics of nasal -Staphylococcus aureus in healthy Swiss horses. A total of 100 nasal swabs were collected from healthy horses in Switzerland between January 2020 and August 2020. The samples were taken from horses at 40 different stables in 12 different cantons and screened for both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) using selective agar plates. S. aureus were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and for virulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes and phylogenetic characteristics using whole genome sequence analysis. Ten horses were found to be positiv...
[New drugs for horses and production animals in 2021]. In 2021, one novel pharmaceutical agent for horses or food-producing animals was released on the German market, making the anti-haemorrhagic etamsylate (Hemosilate) available for horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, dogs and cats, for the first time. The authorization of one established veterinary active ingredient was extended to an additional species: The endectocide eprinomectin (Eprecis) from the group of macrocyclic lactones was also approved for sheeps and goats. Additionally, two veterinary formulations with a new active substance content (bromhexine, tiamulin) and one active ingredient ...
Molecular detection and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in Chinese racehorses. Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Although Cryptosporidium has been found in domestic horses (farmed or kept at pasture), there has been only one published study of Cryptosporidium infections in Chinese racehorses, which was restricted to a very small geographical area. Objective: To investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the faeces of racehorses in China and to perform molecular characterisation of the parasite. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 621 fresh faecal samples were collected for DNA extraction from racehorses at...
Control of ticks on horses using abamectin-impregnated ear tags. A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study. Several different tick species are known to infest horses. Aside from causing serious health and welfare issues, including anaemia, ill thrift, and immunosuppression, ticks can transmit a variety of important, sometimes zoonotic, pathogens. The successful prevention and treatment of tick infestations have been described, but the information is scarce and, in many instances, anecdotal. Here we describe a practical and affordable prevention of tick infestation by using abamectin-impregnated cattle ear tags affixed to a safety collar. We have assessed the radial distribution of abamectin by analy...
Outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 1, spa type t1784, in an equine hospital in Japan. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has often been isolated from livestock and companion animals, including horses. Seven cases of MRSA infection in Thoroughbred racehorses were observed in an equine hospital in Japan in 2020. In this study, MRSA isolates from these seven horses and nine veterinarians in the equine hospital were studied to examine their genetic relatedness and evaluate the possibility of MRSA transmission. The MRSA isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing for multi-locus sequence typing, S. aureus protein A (spa) typing, staphylococcal cassette chromos...
Coupling spatial statistics with social network analysis to estimate distinct risk areas of disease circulation to improve risk-based surveillance. Most animal disease surveillance systems concentrate efforts in blocking transmission pathways and tracing back infected contacts while not considering the risk of transporting animals into areas with elevated disease risk. Here, we use a suite of spatial statistics and social network analysis to characterize animal movement among areas with an estimated distinct risk of disease circulation to ultimately enhance surveillance activities. Our model utilized equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) outbreaks, between-farm horse movements, and spatial landscape data from 2015 through 2017. We related...
Binding and structural basis of equine ACE2 to RBDs from SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses. The origin and host range of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are important scientific questions as they might provide insight into understanding of the potential future spillover to infect humans. Here, we tested the binding between equine angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (eqACE2) and the receptor binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 prototype (PT) and variant of concerns (VOCs), as well as their close relatives bat-origin coronavirus (CoV) RaTG13 and pangolin-origin CoVs GX/P2V/2017 and GD/1/2019. We also determined the crystal structures of eq...
Surveillance of hepatitis E virus in the horse population of Korea: A serological and molecular approach. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen causing hepatitis worldwide. Despite the prevalent evidence of interspecies HEV infection in various animal species, the role of horses in HEV epidemiology remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HEV infection in 283 blood and 114 fecal samples from 397 horses using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Among the 283 serum samples, 35 were positive for anti-HEV antibodies (12.4%; 95% confidence interval: 8.8-16.8), and four of the five sampling reg...
