Real-Time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a molecular technique used to amplify and quantify DNA sequences in horses. This method allows for the detection and measurement of specific genetic material in real-time, providing valuable insights into genetic expression, pathogen presence, and disease diagnosis. In equine research, Real-Time PCR is utilized to study various aspects such as infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and gene expression profiles. The technique's sensitivity and specificity enable researchers to accurately assess the genetic material of interest, facilitating advancements in equine health diagnostics and management. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, methodologies, and findings related to Real-Time PCR in equine science.
Olguin-Perglione C, Vissani MA, Alamos F, Tordoya MS, Barrandeguy M.Equine influenza is an important cause of respiratory disease of horses worldwide. The equine influenza virus (EIV) undergoes antigenic drift through the accumulation of amino acid substitutions in the viral proteins, which may lead to vaccine breakdown. Objective: To describe the epidemiological findings and the molecular characteristics of the EIV detected during the multifocal outbreak that occurred in Argentina between March and July 2018 and evidence a vaccine breakdown. Methods: Observational, descriptive study. Methods: Virus was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs using real-time reverse ...
Turlo AJ, Mueller-Breckenridge AJ, Zamboulis DE, Tew SR, Canty-Laird EG, Clegg PD.The main challenge in tendon injury management is suboptimal tissue healing that fails to re-establish original tendon function. Tissue bioengineering is a promising approach for tendon therapy, with potential to improve its functional outcomes. However, evaluation criteria for tissue-engineered tendon are unclear due to the lack of specific markers of differentiated tendon. The study aim was to identify a panel of genes that characterised tendons in comparison to cartilage or muscles and validate those genes, both in human and key species used as models for tendon diseases. Gene expression pr...
Mazzotti E, Teti G, Falconi M, Chiarini F, Barboni B, Mazzotti A, Muttini A.Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that strongly correlates with age and promotes the breakdown of joint cartilage and subchondral bone. There has been a surge of interest in developing cell-based therapies, focused particularly on the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from adult tissues. It seems that MSCs derived from synovial joint tissues exhibit superior chondrogenic ability, but their unclear distribution and low frequency actually limit their clinical application. To date, the influence of aging on synovial joint derived MSCs' biological characteristics and differen...
Campbell MLH, Peachey L, Callan L, Wathes DC, de Mestre AM.This study was conducted to elucidate mare cervical dilation mechanisms by testing two hypotheses: (i) the proportion of collagen staining in histological samples of mare cervices and (ii) the abundance of hormone receptors in the equine cervix differ with stage of the oestrous cycle and site within the cervix. Tissues and jugular vein blood samples were collected from 15 mares. Collagen content was assessed using Masson's Trichome staining. Receptor abundance was assessed using RT-PCR, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In sub-epithelial stroma, there was less collagen during the follicular th...
Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Bąska P, Czopowicz M, Żmigrodzka M, Szarska E, Szczepaniak J, Nowak Z, Winnicka A, Cywińska A.Development of an anti-inflammatory state during physical training has been postulated in both human and equine athletes, but it is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether endurance training changes pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles within a 20-week training season in young inexperienced endurance horses. Nine Arabian horses were examined in this prospective 20-week follow-up study. Blood samples were analysed 5 times monthly, at rest and after training sessions. Routine haematological examinations were performed. Cytokine patterns including IL-1...
Lawson AL, Pittaway CE, Sparrow RM, Balkwill EC, Coles GC, Tilley A, Wilson AD.Anoplocephala perfoliata is the commonest equine tapeworm, the adult parasites are attached in groups close to the ileocaecal valve causing marked inflammatory pathology. This work aimed to characterize the nature of the in vivo mucosal immune response to A perfoliata, and to investigate the role of A perfoliata excretory-secretory components in modulating in vitro immune responses. Real-time PCR detected elevation of IL13 and TGFβ transcription in early-stage A perfoliata infection. In late-stage infection, IL-13, IL4 and Ifn transcripts were reduced while the regulatory cytokines, TGFβ...
Stefaniuk-Szmukier M, Szmatoła T, Łątka J, Długosz B, Ropka-Molik K.Horse musculature has been shaped through evolution by environmental and human factors, which has resulted in several extraordinary adaptations to physical effort. Skeletal muscle plasticity results from the response to mechanical stimulation causing hypertrophy, where sarcomeres increase the muscle's cross-sectional area under the influence of contractile forces. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of transcript abundance of the telethonin () gene, which is a part of the sarcomere macromolecular mechanosensory complex in the gluteus medius muscle, and the whole blood of Arabian ho...
Isgren CM, Edwards T, Pinchbeck GL, Winward E, Adams ER, Norton P, Timofte D, Maddox TW, Clegg PD, Williams NJ.This study investigated changes over time in the epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli within a single equine referral hospital in the UK. Faecal samples were collected from hospitalised horses in 2008 and 2017, processed using selective media and standard susceptibility laboratory methods. A novel real-time PCR with high resolution melt analysis was used to distinguish bla and bla within CTX-M-1 group. Results: In 2008, 457 faecal samples from 103 horses were collected, with ESBL-producing E. coli identified in 131 samples (28.7, 95% CI 24.6-33.1). I...
Yang Q, Pinto VMR, Duan W, Paxton EE, Dessauer JH, Ryan W, Lopez MJ.Damage to an ectodermal-mesodermal interface like that in the equine hoof and human finger nail bed can permanently alter tissue structure and associated function. The purpose of this study was to establish and validate culture of primary progenitor cell isolates from the ectodermal-mesodermal tissue junction in equine hooves, the stratum internum, with and without chronic inflammation known to contribute to lifelong tissue defects. The following were evaluated in hoof stratum internum cell isolates up to 5 cell passages (P): expansion capacity by cell doublings and doubling time; plasticity ...
Bourebaba L, Bedjou F, Röcken M, Marycz K.Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) refers to a cluster of associated abnormalities and metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and adiposity. The numerous biological properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including self-renewal and multipotency, have been the subject of many in-depth studies, for the management of EMS; however, it has been shown that this cell type may be affected by the condition, impairing thus seriously their therapeutic potential. Therefore, an attempt to rescue EMS adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) with calystegines (polyhydroxylated alkaloids) that are endow...
Hansen S, Otten ND, Fjeldborg J, Baptiste KE, Horohov DW.The objectives of this study were to evaluate the natural age-related variation and compare the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood and lower airways of horses. The mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 TNF-α TLR-4 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were studied by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and differential cell count cytology from 44 horses of different ages. A significant age-related increase was found for the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-8, TLR-4 and TNF-α in stimulated BAL cells and for T...
Brown LJ, Brown G, Kydd J, Stout TAE, Schulman ML.Equid herpesvirus type 1 is primarily a respiratory tract virus associated with poor athletic performance that can also cause late gestation abortion, neonatal foal death and encephalomyelopathy. Horizontal transmission is well described, whereas evidence of vertical transmission of equid herpesvirus type 1 associated with the birth of a healthy foal has not been demonstrated. This study sampled a population of Thoroughbred mares (n = 71), and their healthy neonatal foals and foetal membranes, to test for the presence of both equid herpesvirus types 1 and 4 using a quantitative polymerase chai...
Alnaeem AA, Hemida MG.Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is one of the most important threats to the equine industry globally. This is due to the poor performance of the affected horses, which requires euthanization of the infected animals upon the infection confirmation. Infected animals remain carriers throughout their life. EIAV infection has been reported in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, the EIAV status is never assessed in horses in the Gulf area, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Objective: This study aimed to perform molecular and serol...
Yasine A, Ashenafi H, Geldhof P, Van Brantegem L, Vercauteren G, Bekana M, Tola A, Van Soom A, Duchateau L, Goddeeris B, Govaere J.Dourine, a venereal transmitted trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma equiperdum, has different clinical signs related to the reproductive and nervous system. Pathologic tissue changes associated with the disease are poorly described. The present study describes the histopathological lesions in naturally T. equiperdum-infected horses in the chronical stage of dourine. Results: Four chronically dourine diseased horses underwent a post-mortem examination. They were Woo test negative, but CATT/T. evansi positive, had a low packed cell volume (PCV) and exhibited obvious clinical signs of dourine. P...
Yang J, Wang Y, Cui X, Zhang Y, Yu Z.Huge numbers of microorganisms reside in livestock faeces and constitute one of the most complex microbial ecosystems. Here, faecal microbial communities of three typical livestock in Xilingol steppe grassland, i.e. sheep, cattle, and horse, were investigated by Illumina MiSeq sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes comprised the majority of bacterial communities in three livestock faeces. Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Dothideomycetes were dominant in fungal communities, as well as Methanobacteria and Methanomicrobia were domin...
Carossino M, Barrandeguy ME, Erol E, Li Y, Balasuriya UBR.Equine rotavirus A (ERVA) is the leading cause of diarrhea in neonatal foals and has a negative impact on equine breeding enterprises worldwide. Among ERVA strains infecting foals, the genotypes G3P[12] and G14P[12] are the most prevalent, while infections by strains with other genomic arrangements are infrequent. The identification of circulating strains of ERVA is critical for diagnostic and surveillance purposes, as well as to understand their molecular epidemiology. Current genotyping methods available for ERVA and rotaviruses affecting other animal species rely on Sanger sequencing and ar...
Smith RM, Bhoora RV, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Lee Dalton D.Translocation of animals in fragmented habitats is an important means of dispersal and gene flow, however, the movement of animals has led to the spread of various diseases globally and wildlife are often the reservoirs of these diseases. Currently, Cape mountain zebra are translocated within South Africa as a management method for augmentation of isolated and fragmented populations. The movement of pathogens due to translocations in local regions have gone largely unchecked, particularly where there may still be isolated regions that can be negatively affected. Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-...
Saini S, Singha H, Siwach P, Tripathi BN.Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 activate plethora of immune cells and induce the humoral immune response. However, recombinant version of horse IL-4 and IL-10 has not been investigated to understand their immunomodulating activities. This study aimed to produce recombinant horse mature IL-4 and IL-10 in . Immune-modulating activities of recombinant horse IL-4 and IL-10 were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: Equine PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant IL-4 and IL-10. A proliferation of PBMCs was measured by XTT assay and cytokines induction was measured by enzy...
Craig AF, Packer GC, Guthrie AJ, Venter EH.A prospective study was undertaken during 2013 and 2014, to determine the prevalence of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in Culicoides midges and the incidence of infection caused by the virus in 28 resident horses on two equine establishments on the East Rand, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Field caught Culicoides midges together with whole blood samples from participating horses were collected every two weeks at each establishment. Culicoides midges and blood samples were tested for the presence of AHSV RNA by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Nine i...
Silva ESM, Cuervo-Arango J, de Ruijter-Villani M, Klose K, Oquendo PS, Stout TAE.Field data indicate that a longer period of estrus prior to ovulation correlates positively with fertility. To test the hypothesis that the duration of exposure to estrogens prior to progesterone dominance influences endometrial function, we used anestrous mares to simulate varying durations of estrus (3 groups of 5 mares): long (LE), short (SE), and no estrus (NE), as determined by the duration of estradiol priming prior to progesterone treatment: 7, 2 and 0 days for the LE, SE and NE, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were recovered 4 days after progesterone administration in all groups for...
Dos Santos TM, Roier ECR, Pires MS, Santos HA, Vilela JAR, Peckle M, Paulino PG, Baldani CD, Massard CL.The present study aims to determine the frequencies of Theileria equi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies among horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to detect the presence of DNA of these pathogens through molecular methods. A total of 98 serum samples of horses from the municipality of Seropedica were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) to detect anti-A. phagocytophilum and anti-T. equi IgG antibodies. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect these pathogens in the DNA extracted from the whole blood and buffy coat of horses. Bivar...
Zhang W, Cui S, Cheng XL, Wei F, Ma S.In this study, probe/primers of high specificity and sensitivity were selected to analyze donkey-hide gelatin for donkey DNA and to look for horse, ox, and pig DNA as possible adulterants. The mitochondrial CO I genes in donkey, horse, and ox were selected as target sequences for design and synthesis of three pairs of specific probes and primers. In addition, eight pairs of probe/primers were obtained via literature search. Out of these eleven groups of probe/primers, those with the highest specificity and sensitivity were selected, which was fulfilled by the screening firstly with animal hide...
Vitari GLV, Costa RL, Abreu APM, Peckle M, Silva CB, Paulino PG, Pires MS, Massard CL, Santos HA.Equine piroplasmosis stands out among the diseases that affect Equidae in Brazil and the world. It is caused by the protozoa Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The objective of the present study was to carry out the molecular characterization of T. equi using equine blood samples collected in the 5 geographic regions of Brazil. Samples from all over the country were tested for the presence of T. equi by real-time PCR. The 18S rRNA sequences (∼1,600 bp) obtained from 23 samples taken from naturally infected horses were characterized by sequencing and analyzed to identify the genotypes and th...
Brister H, Barnum SM, Reedy S, Chambers TM, Pusterla N.We validated 2 multiplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the hemagglutinin-1 ( HA1) gene of H3N8 equine influenza A virus (EIV) to determine clade affiliation of prototype and field isolates. Initial validation of the 2 multiplex rtPCR assays (SNP1 and SNP2) was performed using nucleic acid from 14 EIV Florida sublineage clade 1 and 2 prototype strains. We included in our study previously banked EIV rtPCR-positive nasal secretions from 341 horses collected across the United States in 2012-2017 to determine their clade affiliation. All 14 EIV prot...
Schwarzbach SV, Melo CF, Xavier PLP, Roballo KC, Cordeiro YG, Ambrósio CE, Fukumasu H, Carregaro AB.Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the main locomotor disorders in horses. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first-line treatment for OA, opioids could also be used. In previous studies, opioids showed promising anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of two opioids (morphine and methadone) against inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated synoviocytes by analyzing microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) expression. Synoviocytes were obtained from the joints at...
Leisinger CA, Klein C, Markle ML, Premanandan C, Sones JL, Pinto CRF, Paccamonti DL.Aluteal cycles were induced in the mare to evaluate the effects of progesterone deprivation on the gene expression of embryos and endometrium collected eight days after ovulation. We hypothesized that the transcript expression would be altered during induced aluteal (AL) cycles (low progesterone <1 ng/mL) when compared with control cycles during diestrus (high progesterone; > 4 ng/mL) for 1) the embryonic expression of progesterone-mediated transcripts and those related to normal embryo growth and development and 2) the endometrial expression of progesterone-mediated transcripts and those ...
Shchit IY, Ignatov KB, Biketov SF.Results of detection of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei DNA strains by LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) and Real Time PCR are shown. It has been revealed that, in Real Time PCR, primers steadily detected DNA of those microorganism for the sequences of which they were designed. The above mentioned primers did not detect DNA of heterologous strains. During LAMP method no set of primers showed high analytical sensitivity and specificity. Primers did not detected DNA of all the strains under research to target genes of which they were not intended, but they were capa...
Pecoraro HL, Felippe MJB, Miller AD, Divers TJ, Simpson KW, Guyer KM, Duhamel GE.Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a rare condition in adult horses characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and increased susceptibility to parasitic and bacterial infections, including recurrent respiratory diseases, septicemia, and meningitis. Lyme disease is often included as a differential diagnosis in CVID horses with signs of meningitis; however, the Borrelia burgdorferi organism has not been demonstrated previously within central nervous system tissues of CVID horses with neurologic disease, to our knowledge. We report herein a case of neuroborreliosis in a CVID horse, confirmed ...
Bonometti S, Menarim BC, Reinholt BM, Ealy AD, Johnson SE. To provide insight into maternal recognition of pregnancy control in equids, the mitogenic and developmental effects of endometrium-expressed growth factors (epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)) were examined in equine iTr cells, an equine trophectoderm cell line. Initial western blots revealed that HGF and IGF-1 stimulate phosphorylation of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and EGF, FGF2, or HGF resulted in phosphorylation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2...
Jaworska J, Janowski T.Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a prevalent postpartum disease in mares. During parturition, various proinflammatory cytokines are released in the placenta, which further facilitates uterine contractions, expulsion of the fetus and fetal membranes. We hypothesized that an altered inflammatory response in mares results in retained fetal membranes. Samples of the endometrium and the allantochorion were collected from 15 mares with RFM and from 29 control mares within 2 h of foal delivery. Next, the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα proteins was analyzed by Real Time PCR and Western b...
Heimann M, Janda J, Sigurdardottir OG, Svansson V, Klukowska J, von Tscharner C, Doherr M, Broström H, Andersson LS, Einarsson S, Marti E....Equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a seasonally recurrent, pruritic skin disorder caused by an IgE-mediated reaction to salivary proteins of biting flies, predominantly of the genus Culicoides. The aim of this study was to define T cell subsets and cytokine profile in the skin of IBH-affected Icelandic horses with particular focus on the balance between T helper (Th) 1, Th2 and T regulatory (Treg) cells. Distribution and number of CD4+, CD8+ and Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ T cells were characterized by immunohistochemical staining in lesional and non-lesional skin of moderately and seve...
Stout AE, Hofmar-Glennon HG, André NM, Goodman LB, Anderson RR, Mitchell PK, Thompson BS, Lejeune M, Whittaker GR, Goodrich EL.In the United States, horses are used for a variety of purposes including recreation, exhibition, and racing. As farm, performance, and companion animals, horses are a unique species from a zoonotic disease risk perspective, and the risks of subclinical infections spreading among horses can pose challenges. Using a nanoscale real-time PCR platform, we investigated the prevalence of 14 enteric pathogens, 11 genes, and 9 respiratory pathogens in fecal samples from 97 apparently healthy horses at a multi-day horse event. In addition, sugar flotation test was performed for fecal parasites. was c...
Serteyn D, Piquemal D, Vanderheyden L, Lejeune JP, Verwilghen D, Sandersen C.Osteochondrosis (OC) is a developmental disease that affects growing horses and that severely affects their ability to perform. The genetic basis of its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to analyze the transcript profile of leukocytes from horses affected with OC. Two transcriptome libraries were constructed from leukocytes of OC-affected and non-OC-affected horses using digital gene expression analysis (DGE) and real-time PCR. Statistical analysis allowed selection of 1,008 tags upregulated in the non-OC-affected group and 1,545 tags upregulated in the OC-affected gr...
Pusterla N, Madigan JE, Leutenegger CM.The focus of rapid diagnosis of infectious disease of horses in the last decade has shifted from the conventional laboratory techniques of antigen detection, microscopy, and culture to molecular diagnosis of infectious agents. Equine practitioners must be able to interpret the use, limitations, and results of molecular diagnostic techniques, as they are increasingly integrated into routine microbiology laboratory protocols. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the best-known and most successfully implemented diagnostic molecular technology to date. It can detect slow-growing, difficult-to-cultiv...
Noronha LE, Huggler KE, de Mestre AM, Miller DC, Antczak DF.To identify equine orthologs of major NK cell marker genes and utilize them to determine whether NK cells are present among the dense infiltration of lymphocytes that surround the endometrial cup structures of the horse placenta during early pregnancy. Methods: PCR primers were developed to detect the equine orthologs of NKP46, CD16, CD56, and CD94; gene expression was detected in RNA isolated from lymphocytes using standard 2-step reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR and products were cloned and sequenced. Absolute real-time RT-PCR was used to quantitate gene expression in total, CD3+, and CD3- per...
Robles M, Nouveau E, Gautier C, Mendoza L, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Lagofun B, Aubrière MC, Lejeune JP, Caudron I, Guenon I, Viguié C, Wimel L....Obesity is a growing concern in horses. The effects of maternal obesity on maternal metabolism and low-grade inflammation during pregnancy, as well as offspring growth, metabolism, low-grade inflammation, testicular maturation and osteochondrotic lesions until 18 months of age were investigated. Twenty-four mares were used and separated into two groups at insemination according to body condition score (BCS): Normal (N, n = 10, BCS ≤4) and Obese (O, n = 14, BCS ≥4.25). BCS and plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, urea, non-esterified fatty acid, serum amyloid A (SAA), leptin and adiponect...
Klein C, Troedsson MH, Rutllant J.The process of water movement in the excurrent duct system of the male reproductive tract is pivotal for establishment of male fertility. The objective was to elucidate expression of aquaporin (AQP) water channels in the stallion reproductive tract. Real-time RT-PCR detected expression of AQP0-5 and AQP7-11 in testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens of mature stallions. There were two main expression patterns: (1) higher expression in testis than in epididymis and ductus deferens (AQP0, -4, -5, -8, -10, and -11); and (2) lower expression in testis than in epididymis and ductus deferens (AQP1, ...
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a zoonotic flaviviral infection that is a growing public health concern in European countries. The aims of this research were to detect and characterize tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Ixodes ricinus ticks at presumed natural foci in Serbia, and to determine seroprevalence of TBEV IgG antibodies in humans and animals. A total of 500 I. ricinus ticks were examined for the presence of TBEV by real-time RT-PCR, and conventional nested PCR and sequencing. To determine TBEV seroprevalence, 267 human sera samples were collected, as were 200 sera samples from ...
Giguère S, Prescott JF.A reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-cPCR) method was developed to quantitate equine interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p35, IL-12 p40, interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and beta-actin mRNA expression. Using primers based on equine-specific sequences, these cytokines could be detected in concanavalin A-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The specificity of the amplified product was confirmed by sequencing. For each cytokine, the assay was made quantitative by generating competitor ...
Marenzoni ML, Passamonti F, Lepri E, Cercone M, Capomaccio S, Cappelli K, Felicetti M, Coppola G, Coletti M, Thiry E.A 15-year-old Belgian gelding was referred for fever, depression, and respiratory distress. Lung biopsy revealed interstitial fibrosis consistent with chronic interstitial pneumonia. Equid herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy specimens. A presumptive diagnosis of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) was made, and the horse was administered a systemic treatment with corticosteroids and antiviral drugs. Despite initial clinical improvement, 4 weeks later, the condition of the horse rapidly deteriorated, and the an...
Pronost S, Pitel PH, Miszczak F, Legrand L, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Hamon M, Tapprest J, Balasuriya UB, Freymuth F, Fortier G.The vast majority of equine arteritis virus (EAV) infections are inapparent or relatively mild, but may occasionally cause outbreaks of equine viral arteritis. The event observed in France during the summer of 2007 was the most important seen in the country, with mortality and disruption of economic activity. Objective: To describe the different stages seen during the outbreak and to show how molecular tools were used for both the detection and management of the crisis. Methods: EAV detection was performed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in blood, nasal sw...
Woodward EM, Christoffersen M, Horohov D, Squires EL, Troedsson MH.Research has shown that 6 h after breeding is a critical time during the uterine innate immune response, and the failure to respond appropriately will result in persistent breeding-induced endometritis. This presents a potential opportunity to modulate the course of inflammation towards a timely resolution. Objective: To evaluate the effects of immune modulation on endometrial mRNA expression of inflammatory genes in susceptible mares 6 h after breeding. The hypothesis was that immune modulation alters endometrial cytokine expression in susceptible mares. Methods: A randomised controlled s...
Pusterla N, Leutenegger CM, Sigrist B, Chae JS, Lutz H, Madigan JE.A real-time quantitative PCR using the TaqMan fluorogenic detection system (TaqMan PCR) was established for identification of Ehrlichia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever (PHF). The TaqMan PCR identified an 85 base pair section of the 16S rRNA gene by use of a specific fluorogenic probe and two primers. This technique was specific for eight tested E. risticii strains. The TaqMan system identified 10 copies of a cloned section of the 16S rRNA gene of E. risticii. The sensitivity and specificity of the TaqMan PCR were similar to those of conventional nested PCR. The TaqMan PCR was evalua...
Nielsen MK, Olsen SN, Lyons ET, Monrad J, Thamsborg SM.Strongyle parasites are ubiquitous in grazing horses, and the large strongyle Strongylus vulgaris is considered the most pathogenic helminth parasite of horses. Recent investigations have suggested an association between occurrence of this parasite and usage of selective therapy based on regular fecal egg counts. The established diagnostic method for S. vulgaris involves larval culture and subsequent morphological identification of third stage larvae under the microscope. Recently, a real-time PCR assay was developed and validated for the detection and semi-quantification of S. vulgaris eggs i...
Olofsson KM, Hjertner B, Fossum C, Press CM, Lindberg R.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in horses is an idiopathic disorder, encompassing different types of chronic intestinal inflammation. The pathogenesis of the disease remains to be established, but it has been suggested that an imbalance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper 17 (Th17)-associated cytokines and altered toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression is associated with intestinal inflammation in other species. The aim of the present study was to quantify Tregs in rectal biopsies from horses affected with IBD by immunohistochemistry and to evaluate expression of genes encoding in...
Wang J, Guo K, Li S, Liu D, Chu X, Wang Y, Guo W, Du C, Wang X, Hu Z.Salmonella enterica subsp. serovar Abortusequi is a major pathogen in horse and donkey herds, causing abortion in pregnant equids and resulting in enormous economic losses. A rapid and reliable method is urgently needed to detect . Abortusequi in herds where the disease is suspected. To achieve this goal, a TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay targeting the gene for the flagellin protein phase 2 antigen FljB was developed. This real-time PCR assay had high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. The detection limit of the assay was 30 copies/μL of standard plasmid and 10 CFU/μL of bacter...
Klein C."Maternal recognition of pregnancy" (MRP) is commonly used to describe the ongoing embryo-maternal communication during early pregnancy that culminates in prevention of luteolysis and ensures ongoing progestin support. The conceptus-derived pregnancy recognition signal has not yet been identified in the mare. Although equine conceptuses produce substantial amounts of estrogens, there is a lack of evidence that estrogens are the pregnancy recognition signal in mares. Conceptus mobility is integral to MRP and is driven by conceptus-derived prostaglandin production. Cessation of conceptus mobilit...
Kayis SA, Atli MO, Kurar E, Bozkaya F, Semacan A, Aslan S, Guzeloglu A.The aim was an evaluation of a set of housekeeping genes (HKGs) to be used in the normalization of gene expression in the equine endometrium. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hypoxanthine ribosyl transferase 1 (HPRT1), ubiquitin B (UBB), tubulin alpha 1 (TUBA1), ribosomal protein L32 (RPL32), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), 18S rRNA (18S), and 28S rRNA (28S) HKGs were evaluated using real-time PCR and were compared in different physiological stages of the endometrium. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from mares on day of ovulation (d0, n=4), at late diestrus (LD, n=4), after lut...
Klein C, Troedsson MH, Rutllant J.The expression of 12 different aquaporin subtypes in equine endometrium was examined at the mRNA and protein level. Endometrial samples were obtained during anoestrus, oestrus, 8, and 14 days after ovulation in non-pregnant mares, and 14 days after ovulation in pregnant mares. Quantitative PCR revealed a time-dependent pattern for all aquaporin subtypes examined except for AQP10 and 12. AQP3, 5 and 7 showed highest mRNA abundance 8 days after ovulation, while AQP0 and 2 were most abundant at Day 14 of the cycle in non-pregnant mares. At 14 days of pregnancy, AQP1, 4, 8, 9 and 11 displayed ...
Alanazi AD, Said AE, Morin-Adeline V, Alyousif MS, Slapeta J.Equine piroplasmosis is the most important tick-borne disease of horses. Regulations on movement of horses into disease-free countries are in place to preserve international trade. Introduction of infectious disease, such as equine piroplasmosis, into non-endemic countries remains a substantial risk owing to the wide-spread distribution of vectors. Identification and restriction of movement of Theileria equi persistently infected horses is an integral part of control strategies, because persistently infected horses with low parasitaemia are an important reservoir. We used real-time PCR for dia...
Pusterla N, Byrne BA, Hodzic E, Mapes S, Jang SS, Magdesian KG.A quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR assay was developed to detect Salmonella spp. in the feces of 911 equine species admitted to a veterinary hospital. Fresh feces and feces enriched for 24h in selenite broth were assessed by conventional culture and by RT-PCR targeting the Salmonella invA gene. The detection limit for the RT-PCR assay was 3 and 10 organisms, respectively, when spiked samples were purified from selenite broth and feces. The analytical specificity was 100% based on the detection of a panel of 40 salmonella serotypes from five serogroups and the lack of cross-reactivity with non-r...
Kupczyk P, Rykala M, Serek P, Pawlak A, Slowikowski B, Holysz M, Chodaczek G, Madej JP, Ziolkowski P, Niedzwiedz A.The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CBR1) and type 2 (CBR2), cannabinoid-based ligands (endogenous chemically synthesized phytocannabinoids), and endogenous enzymes controlling their concentrations. Cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have been identified in invertebrates and in almost all vertebrate species in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as in immune cells, where they control neuroimmune homeostasis. In humans, rodents, dogs, and cats, CBRs expression has been confirmed in the skin, and their expression and tissue distribution become di...
Leon A, Richard E, Fortier C, Laugier C, Fortier G, Pronost S.Abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death are major causes of equine mortality and cause severe economic loss to the equine industry. The present study was based on a complete necropsy protocol associated with classical microbiological examinations and molecular biology on 407 cases of abortion, stillbirths and neonate death. Based on this retrospective survey, "less common" abortive infectious agents were characterised by molecular tools in nine independent cases of abortion or neonate mortality. Among others, Chlamydophila abortus (1 case), Coxiella burnetii (6 cases) and Neospora caninum (3 c...
Kaspar A, Pfister K, Nielsen MK, Silaghi C, Fink H, Scheuerle MC.Strongylus vulgaris has become a rare parasite in Germany during the past 50 years due to the practice of frequent prophylactic anthelmintic therapy. To date, the emerging development of resistance in Cyathostominae and Parascaris spp. to numerous equine anthelmintics has changed deworming management and the frequency of anthelmintic usage. In this regard, reliable detection of parasitic infections, especially of the highly pathogenic S. vulgaris is essential. In the current study, two diagnostic methods for the detection of infections with S. vulgaris were compared and information on the occ...
Li J, Kelly P, Zhang J, Xu C, Wang C.Babesia spp. are tick-borne protozoan hemoparasites and the second most common blood-borne parasites of mammals, in particular domestic animals. We used the Clustal Multiple Alignment program and 18S rRNA gene sequences of 22 Babesia species from GenBank to develop a PCR that could detect a wide variety of Babesia spp. in a single reaction. The pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR we developed reliably detected B. gibsoni, B. canis, B. vogeli, B. microti, B. bovis, and B. divergens under controlled conditions but did not react with closely related species, mainly Hepatozoon americanum, Theileria equi, and To...
Vieira FT, Acosta ICL, Martins TF, Filho JM, Krawczak FDS, Barbieri ARM, Egert L, Fernandes DR, Braga FR, Labruna MB, Dietze R.This work aims to identify and quantify the percentage of Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. positive pet dogs, and to identify ticks collected on these animals in the state of Espírito Santo, in the Southeast region of Brazil. The study included 378 dogs, 226 females and 152 males, of various breeds and ages (mean age of 4.1 years). All animals were examined for ticks, and whole blood was collected and processed by conventional PCR protocols for Babesia spp., Anaplasmataceae, Hepatozoon spp. and by real-time PCR for Ehrlichia canis. Of the 378 dogs examined, 15...
Bhoora R, Quan M, Matjila PT, Zweygarth E, Guthrie AJ, Collins NE.Although a quantitative real-time PCR assay (qPCR) assay for the detection of Theileria equi has been developed and evaluated, it is possible that additional, as yet undetected 18S rRNA gene sequence variants may exist. A qPCR assay targeting a different gene, used in conjunction with the T. equi 18S rRNA qPCR assay, could assist in the detection of all T. equi genotypes in field samples. A T. equi ema-1-specific qPCR (Ueti et al., 2003) was tested on 107 South African field samples, 90 of which tested positive for T. equi antibody using the immuno-fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The qPCR as...
Turner S, Knych HK, Adams AA.Cannabidiol (CBD) has potential to reduce pain and inflammation in humans leading to the interest of use in equine. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of CBD on immune function by measuring inflammatory cytokines and antibody responses to vaccination, as well as other health parameters in senior horses. Horses were orally-dosed with CBD (2 mg/kg: 13 horses) or control (soy oil: 14 horses) daily for 90 days, from July 2021 to November 2021. Peripheral blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 60, and 90 before administering treatments. On day 90 all horses were kept on tr...
Rolão N, Martins MJ, João A, Campino L.The present report describes the first case of equine leishmaniasis in Portugal. Leishmania infection was detected in one animal, which presented an ulcerated skin lesion. Diagnosis was based on serology by CIE, and parasite DNA detection by real-time PCR using a probe specific for L. infantum. This finding requests further leishmaniasis equine surveys in order to clarify the role of the horse as reservoir host in european endemic areas.
Weyer CT, Joone C, Lourens CW, Monyai MS, Koekemoer O, Grewar JD, van Schalkwyk A, Majiwa PO, MacLachlan NJ, Guthrie AJ.Blood samples collected as part of routine diagnostic investigations from South African horses with clinical signs suggestive of African horse sickness (AHS) were subjected to analysis with an AHS virus (AHSV) group specific reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (AHSV RT-qPCR) assay and virus isolation (VI) with subsequent serotyping by plaque inhibition (PI) assays using AHSV serotype-specific antisera. Blood samples that tested positive by AHSV RT-qPCR were then selected for analysis using AHSV type specific RT-qPCR (AHSV TS RT-qPCR) assays. The TS RT-qPCR assays were ...
