Veterinary research in horses encompasses the study of diseases, health management, and medical treatments specific to equine species. This field investigates various aspects of horse health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Researchers focus on understanding the pathophysiology of equine ailments, developing diagnostic tools, and evaluating therapeutic interventions. The study of horse health also involves examining preventive measures such as vaccination protocols and nutritional management to promote overall well-being. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse areas of veterinary science related to horses, providing insights into disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, and advancements in equine healthcare.
Kapteijn CM, Frippiat T, van Beckhoven C, van Lith HA, Endenburg N, Vermetten E, Rodenburg TB.Measuring physiological parameters of stress in horses during groundwork, for example when involved in equine-assisted interventions, is important to gain insight into the stress levels of the horses. Heart rate and heart rate variability can be used as physiological indicators of stress in horses. Heart rate monitors could be easily incorporated into practice, as they are not expensive and easy to use. However, it is questionable whether heart rate monitors present accurate heart rate variability results in exercising horses, similar to electrocardiograms. The aim of this study was to determi...
Schäfer I, Silaghi C, Fischer S, Marsboom C, Hendrickx G, Gehlen H, Müller E.Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum. In Germany, this pathogen is transmitted primarily by Ixodes ricinus. There is limited knowledge about its prevalence in horses in Germany. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of serological and molecular testing for A. phagocytophilum in horses which were done in a commercial laboratory in Germany over fourteen years. Additionally, risk factors were evaluated, and hematological abnormalities were addressed in horses with positive PCR results. Methods: This retros...
Klouth E, Zablotski Y, Petersen JL, de Bruijn M, Gröndahl G, Müller S, Goehring LS.Equid Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a multifactorial disease following an EHV-1 infection in Equidae. We investigated a total of 589 horses on 13 premises in Europe in search of risk factors for the development of EHM. We found that fever ( < 0.001), increasing age ( = 0.032), and female sex ( = 0.042) were risk factors for EHM in a logistic mixed model. Some breeds had a decreased risk to develop EHM compared to others (Shetland and Welsh ponies; = 0.017; = 0.031), and fewer EHV-1-vaccinated horses were affected by EHM compared to unvaccinated horses ( = 0.02). Data evaluation...
de Araújo-Neto VT, Barbosa-Silva AN, Medeiros Honorato NR, Sales LML, de Cassia Pires R, do Nascimento Brito CR, da Matta Guedes PM....Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne zoonotic parasite which has been little studied regarding its infection in domestic animals. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of natural infection by T. cruzi in farm animals using molecular markers and phylogenetic analysis in blood clot samples of 60 sheep (Ovis aires), 22 goats (Capra hircus), and 14 horses (Equus caballus) in eight municipalities located in an infection risk area in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Northeast Region of Brazil. Trypanosoma spp. infection was identified by am...
Grabowska A, Kozdrowski R.Progesterone plays a crucial role in the maintenance of pregnancy from conception to about 100-120 days of gestation when placenta becomes the main source of gestagens. The aim of the study was to test progesterone concentration 14 days after ovulation in pregnant mares and relate it to peak estral endometrial edema and the presence of intrauterine fluid (IUF) after artificial insemination (AI), the number of treatments against IUF, and the time from AI to the day when the uterus was found free of fluid. Results: Mares were divided into two groups: group A (n = 13; age 10.8 ± 4.5 y...
Gmel AI, Haraldsdóttir EH, Bragança FMS, Cruz AM, Neuditschko M, Weishaupt MA.In gait quality assessments of horses, stride length (SL) is visually associated with spectacular movements of the front limbs, and described as ground coverage, while the movement of the hind limb under the body is supposedly essential to a longer over-tracking distance (OTD). To identify movement patterns with strong associations to SL and OTD, limb and body kinematics of 24 Franches-Montagnes (FM) stallions were measured with 3D optical motion capture (OMC) on a treadmill during an incremental speed test at trot (3.3-6.5 m/s). These measurements were correlated to the scores of ground cover...
Rotavirus species A (RVA) is a pathogen mainly affecting children under five years old and young animals. The infection produces acute diarrhea in its hosts and, in intensively reared livestock animals, can cause severe economic losses. In this study, we analyzed all RVA genomic constellations described in animal hosts. This review included animal RVA strains in humans. We compiled detection methods, hosts, genotypes and complete genomes. RVA was described in 86 animal species, with 52% (45/86) described by serology, microscopy or the hybridization method; however, strain sequences were not de...
Li Y, Ma Q, Shi X, Liu G, Wang C.Evidence has shown that gut microbiota play a key role in host metabolism and health; however, little is known about the microbial community in the donkey hindgut as well as the interactions that occur between gut microbes and the host. This study aimed to explore the gut microbiome differences by analyzing the microbial community and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to lipid metabolism and the immune system along the donkey hindgut. The hindgut tissues (cecum, ventral colon, and dorsal colon) were separated, and the contents of each section were collected from six male donkeys fo...
Samir H, ElSayed MI, Radwan F, Hedia M, Hendawy H, Hendawy AO, Elbadawy M, Watanabe G.In all organs, control of blood flow is important but might be particularly critical for testicular functions. This is because of the very low oxygen concentration and high metabolic rate of the seminiferous tubules, the physiological temperature of the testis, and its location outside the abdominal cavity. Many factors affect the characteristics of TBF in farm and companion animals, such as environment (thermal and seasonal effects) and physiological (species, breeds, age, body weight, and sexual maturity). Thermal environment stress has detrimental effects on spermatogenesis and consequently...
Bass LG, Peña-Álvarez P, Hidalgo-Dittel JD, Robles-Herrera FD, Cappella-Flores PM, Zúñiga-Cortés DS, Olivares RWI.Sarcina spp. is a Gram-positive, coccoid microorganism that forms tetrads or octets, and is observed with a characteristic "bundle" arrangement. The most recognized species are Sarcina ventriculi and Sarcina maxima. It has been described as part of the normal microbiota in horses and cats, but it has also been linked to abomasal bloat in goats, lambs, and calves, although its causality has not been proven yet. This work presents the case of a 3-months-old female horse that died of generalized tympanism. Macroscopic findings showed mild cyanosis and abundant gas in the lumen of the stomach, and...
Finger MA, Biava JS, Dornbusch PT, Perotta JH, Ullmann LS, Serpa PBDS, Kmetiuk LB, Dos Santos AP, Biondo AW, Leutenegger C, Filho IRB.Molecular approaches to diagnose respiratory viruses have provided an opportunity for early and subclinical pathogen detection, particularly in samples from the upper respiratory tract. This study aimed to investigate the presence of herpesviruses, particularly equid herpesvirus (EHV)-2 and EHV-5, in samples from the lower respiratory tract of healthy racehorses from Southern Brazil. Unassigned: Samples from the lower respiratory tract (i.e., bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [BALF]) were assessed by video endoscopy, cytological evaluation of BALF, and tracheal aspirates (TA), along with quantitati...
Gordon DL, Foreman JH, Connolly SL, Schnelle AN, Fan TM, Barger AM.Acute phase protein (APP) measurement is used to detect inflammation. Intramuscular (IM) injections could cause tissue injury and induce an acute phase response (APR). Objective: To evaluate the effects of IM procaine penicillin G (PPG) injections on APP concentrations in horses. Methods: Prospective longitudinal design. Methods: PPG was administered intramuscularly to six horses, twice daily, for 5 days. Plasma fibrinogen (FIB), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (HAP), creatine kinase (CK), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were quantified daily for 5 days before the first injection, ...
Salamanca-Carreño A, Parés-Casanova PM, Monroy-Ochoa NI, Vélez-Terranova M.This study examined paedomorphosis in PAH and F1 crossbreds. A sample of 99 horses was selected from 40 different breeders and consisted of three groups: stallions ( = 16), mares ( = 53), and geldings ( = 30), ranging from 10 months to 27 years in age. All horses presented a concave celloid lateral left head profile in the acquired photographic images. The hypothesis proposed in this study suggested the lateral profile of the head in juveniles was representational in the adult form due to the neonate's facial bones (part of the splanchnocranium) developing at a different rate to those of the s...
Janicka W, Wilk I, Próchniak T, Janczarek I.Virtual fencing is an innovative alternative to conventional fences. Different systems have been studied, including electric-impulse-free systems. We tested the potential of self-applied acoustic stimulus in deterring the horses from further movement. Thirty warmblood horses were individually introduced to a designated corridor leading toward a food reward (variant F) or a familiar horse (variant S). As the subject reached a distance of 30, 15 or 5 m from a finish line, an acute alarming sound was played. Generally, a sudden and unknown sound was perceived by horses as a threat causing an incr...
Suminda GGD, Ghosh M, Son YO.For more than a decade, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been emerging as the mainstay of agrigenomics research. High-throughput technologies have made it feasible to facilitate research at the scale and cost required for using this data in livestock research. Scale frameworks of sequencing for agricultural and livestock improvement, management, and conservation are partly attributable to innovative informatics methodologies and advancements in sequencing practices. Genome-wide sequence-based investigations are often conducted worldwide, and several databases have been created to discover ...
Akbari Shahkhosravi N, Kakavand R, Davies HMS, Komeili A.The health and performance of horses are significantly affected by diseases associated with the hoof. Laminitis is a critical hoof disease that causes pain and, potentially, severe hoof and bone pathology. Objective: To generate an equine hoof finite element (FE) model to investigate the impact of normal and toe-in hoof conformations on the degeneration (decrease in elastic modulus) of the laminar junction (LJ), as occurs in chronic laminitis. Methods: Computer software modelling. Methods: A hoof FE model was generated to investigate the biomechanics of hoof laminitis. A 3D model, consisting o...
Cotuțiu VD, Ionică AM, Lefkaditis M, Cazan CD, Hașaș AD, Mihalca AD.Equine thelaziosis is a neglected vector-borne parasitic disease in modern veterinary medicine, lacking recent reports. It is transmitted by Musca autumnalis, and potentially other Muscidae species, by ingesting the lachrymal secretions of its equine host. The distribution of both Thelazia lacrymalis and its intermediate hosts remains largely unknown throughout Europe, with most studies dating back 20 years. The aim of this study was to assess the presence, prevalence and distribution of T. lacrymalis in horses from Romania. Methods: The eyes of 273 horses, slaughtered at two abattoirs from t...
Boström A, Asplund K, Bergh A, Hyytiäinen H.To explore the scientific evidence for therapeutic ultrasound (TU), we conducted a systematic review of the literature on TU in dogs, horses, donkeys, and cats. Methods: In three major databases, relevant articles published in 1980-2020 were identified. The risk of bias in each article was evaluated. Results: Twenty-four relevant articles on the effects of TU in dogs, nine in horses, two in donkeys, and one in cats were identified. TU usually involved 2-6 treatments weekly for up to 4 weeks. Articles on tendon, ligament, and bone healing, acute aseptic arthritis, osteoarthritis, paraparesis, h...
Thirumalapura NR, Livengood J, Beeby J, Wang W, Goodrich EL, Goodman LB, Erol E, Tewari D.Neorickettsia risticii, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of Potomac horse fever (PHF). Diagnosis of PHF is based on demonstration of serum antibodies, isolation of N. risticii, and/or detection of nucleic acid by a PCR assay. An existing real-time PCR assay targeting the N. risticii 16S rRNA has been validated using blood samples from horses with colitis, and snails; to our knowledge, the performance of the assay for other sample types has not been reported. We describe here a modification of the 16S rRNA gene assay by the addition of a set of primers and probe targe...
Górski K, Borowska M, Stefanik E, Polkowska I, Turek B, Bereznowski A, Domino M.Dental disorders are a serious health problem in equine medicine, their early recognition benefits the long-term general health of the horse. Most of the initial signs of Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) syndrome concern the alveolar aspect of the teeth, thus, the need for early recognition radiographic imaging. This study is aimed to evaluate the applicability of entropy measures to quantify the radiological signs of tooth resorption and hypercementosis as well as to enhance radiographic image quality in order to facilitate the identification of the signs of E...
Lazareva Y, Rayisyan M, Mironova E.Keratitis is a common cause of eye diseases in horses, often resulting in complete loss of vision. The purpose of this article is to study the features of the clinical picture of primary and secondary keratitis in horses, depending on the form of the course of the disease. The study was conducted in 2019 at 22 private horse breeding farms. The study involved 80 horses with keratitis, which were divided into two equal groups depending on the diagnosis of primary or secondary keratitis. The effectiveness of the therapies was compared 1, 3, and 6 months after the start of treatment. Following a 1...
Akula S, Riihimäki M, Waern I, Åbrink M, Raine A, Hellman L, Wernersson S.Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease and a serious health problem in horses as well as in humans. In humans and mice, mast cells (MCs) are known to be directly involved in asthma pathology and subtypes of MCs accumulate in different lung and airway compartments. The role and phenotype of MCs in equine asthma has not been well documented, although an accumulation of MCs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is frequently seen. To characterize the phenotype of airway MCs in equine asthma we here developed a protocol, based on MACS Tyto sorting, resulting in the isolation of 92.9% pur...
Depuydt E, Chiers K, Van Hecke L, Saunders J, Martens A, Pille F, Spaas JH.Injuries to equine tendons and ligaments are career-compromising, causing reduced performance and premature retirement. Promising treatment alternatives have been investigated in the field of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, the tissue adherence and protein expression of tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) after administration to ex vivo tendon and ligament explants is investigated. First, collagen type I (COL I) and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression was assessed in cytospins prepared from native MSCs and tpMSCs. Second, equine superficial digital flexor tendon and...
Ahmed BM, Bayoumi MM, Farrag MA, Elgamal MA, Daly JM, Amer HM.Equine influenza is an important cause of respiratory disease in equids. The causative virus; EIV, is highly variable and can evolve by accumulation of mutations, particularly in the haemagglutinin (HA) gene. Currently, H3N8 is the sole subtype circulating worldwide with Florida clade 1 (FC1) is most prevalent in the Americas and FC2 in Asia and Europe. In Egypt, EIV was detected in two occasions: subtype H7N7 in 1989 and subtype H3N8 (FC1) in 2008. No data is available on the circulation pattern of EIV during the last decade despite frequent observation of suspected cases. Twenty-two nasal sw...
Boström A, Bergh A, Hyytiäinen H, Asplund K.Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) is increasingly used to treat different types of musculoskeletal conditions in sport and companion animals. To explore the scientific basis for the treatment, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on ECSWT used in horses, dogs, and cats. Methods: Relevant articles published in 1980-2020 were identified from three major databases. Each article was assessed for risk of bias. Results: The review identified 27 relevant articles on the effects of ECSWT in horses, nine in dogs, but none in cats. Typically, ECSWT involved one to three treatment se...
Górski K, Stefanik E, Turek B, Bereznowski A, Czopowicz M, Polkowska I, Domino M.Dental disorders, a term encompassing both malocclusion and dental disease, constitute a serious health problem in horses worldwide. As horse populations differ among countries and regions, a geographically specific characterization of the occurrence of various dental disorders may be helpful for local equine practitioners. This study investigated the prevalence and frequency distribution of selected malocclusions and dental diseases in horses housed in the Mazovia region of Poland, with attention paid to variations among age, gender, and breed categories. Routine dental examinations were cond...
Hobbs SJ, Curtis S, Martin J, Sinclair J, Clayton HM.Conformation of the hooves and distal limbs of foals and factors influencing their morphological development have not been reported in detail for the Thoroughbred breed. In this paper we explore morphogenesis of the equine distal limb in Thoroughbred foals with emphasis on adaptations in response to weight bearing early in life that prepare the foal for an athletic career. Novel data from four studies are presented chronologically during key time periods to illustrate specific aspects of distal limb growth and adaptation. Dorsal epidermal thickness increased from 2.84 ± 0.41 mm in utero to 4....
Lawton K, Keller SM, Barnum S, Arredondo-Lopez C, Spann K, Pusterla N.While some companion animals have been shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, their role in the COVID-19 pandemic has remained poorly investigated. Equids are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 based on the similarity of the human ACE-2 receptor and reports of infection. Clinical disease and prevalence factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in equids have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and selected prevalence factors in 1186 equids presented for various conditions to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital over a two-year period. ...
Jang SS, Hirsh DC.During the years from 1984 through 1991, 1,067 specimens from canine, equine, exotic, feline, porcine, and ruminant animal sources were found to contain members of the genus Fusobacterium: The most common sites or conditions from which members of this genus were isolated were abscesses, the respiratory tract, and pleural and peritoneal cavities. Most specimens contained a single Fusobacterium species. The most commonly isolated species was Fusobacterium necrophorum. Almost all of the specimens contained other obligate anaerobes together with facultative and obligate aerobes. The identities of ...
Kinnunen S, Hyyppä S, Lehmuskero A, Oksala N, Mäenpää P, Hänninen O, Atalay M.Strenuous exercise is a potent inducer of oxidative stress, which has been suggested to be associated with disturbances in muscle homeostasis, fatigue and injury. There is no comprehensive or uniform view of the antioxidant status in horses. We have previously shown that moderate exercise induces protein oxidation in trotters. The aim of this study was to measure the antioxidative capacity of the horse in relation to different antioxidant components and oxidative stress markers after a single bout of moderate exercise to elucidate the mechanisms of antioxidant protection in horses. Eight clini...
Bundgaard L, Stensballe A, Elbæk KJ, Berg LC.Similar to humans, the horse is a long-lived, athletic species. The use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a relatively new frontier, but has been used with promising results in treating joint diseases, e.g., osteoarthritis. It is believed that MSCs exert their main therapeutic effects through secreted trophic biomolecules. Therefore, it has been increasingly important to characterize the MSC secretome. It has been shown that the effect of the MSCs is strongly influenced by the environment in the host compartment, and it is a crucial issue when considering MSC therapy. The aim of this stud...
Denoix JM, Thibaud D, Riccio B.Bisphosphonates, such as tiludronate, are used to normalise bone metabolism via inhibition of bone resorption. Areas of increased bone resorption and formation are typical lesions in a diseased navicular bone. Objective: To determine if bone remodelling changes occurring in navicular disease may be corrected with therapies regulating bone metabolism. Methods: We designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to compare 2 doses of tiludronate, 0.5 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg bwt administered via daily i.v. injections over 10 days for the treatment of navicular disease. Seventy-three horses, s...
Plummer G, Goodheart CR, Studdert MJ.Equine herpesviruses with a deoxyribonucleic acid density of 1.716 to 1.717 g/cm(3) were compared with one another by the plaque-reduction test and by the rate of development of cytopathic effect as indicated by plaque size in rabbit kidney cultures. Of the 19 isolates studied, the 9 which had already been tentatively labeled equine abortion viruses were serologically similar to one another; each of them grew more quickly than did any of the other 10 isolates although the mean plaque sizes formed a series of gradations with no clear hiatus which would permit the unequivocal delineation of the ...
Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Apanaskevich DA, Mumcuoglu KY, Steinman A.Ticks are important ectoparasites of horses that can affect animal welfare and vector several infectious, including zoonotic, diseases. In order to investigate the species distribution, epidemiology and seasonal dynamics of ticks infesting horses in Israel, 3267 ticks were collected from 396 horses in 24 farms across the country from July 2014 to June 2015. Results: Ticks were found on 50% of the farms and on 25% of the horses, with Hyalomma being the most prevalent genus (70% of ticks). Pasture was the most prominent risk factor for tick infestation (99% of ticks, P < 0.001), and is repres...
Karagianni AE, Lisowski ZM, Hume DA, Scott Pirie R.The mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) is a family of cells of related function that includes bone marrow progenitors, blood monocytes and resident tissue macrophages. Macrophages are effector cells in both innate and acquired immunity. They are a major resident cell population in every organ and their numbers increase in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Their function is highly regulated by a wide range of agonists, including lymphokines, cytokines and products of microorganisms. Macrophage biology has been studied most extensively in mice, yet direct comparisons of rodent and human macro...
Franck T, Grulke S, Deby-Dupont G, Deby C, Duvivier H, Peters F, Serteyn D.Equine inflammatory disease is accompanied by a neutrophil activation resulting in the release of granulocytic enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO). To measure MPO in horse plasma as marker of neutrophil activation, the authors purified equine neutrophil MPO and developed a specific enzyme immunoassay using 2 specific polyclonal antibodies obtained from rabbit (primary antibody) and guinea pig (secondary antibody). The sandwich complex "primary antibody-MPO-secondary antibody" was detected using a goat anti-guinea pig immunoglobulin antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. The enzyme-linked immuno...
Ranera B, Remacha AR, Álvarez-Arguedas S, Romero A, Vázquez FJ, Zaragoza P, Martín-Burriel I, Rodellar C.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) are being applied to equine cell therapy. The physiological environment in which MSCs reside is hypoxic and does not resemble the oxygen level typically used in in vitro culture (20% O2). This work compares the growth kinetics, viability, cell cycle, phenotype and expression of pluripotency markers in both equine BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs at 5% and 20% O2. Results: At the conclusion of culture, fewer BM-MSCs were obtained in hypoxia than in normoxia as a result of significantly reduced cell division. Hypoxi...
Chand N, Eyre P.Histamine, 2-methylhistamine (a specific H1-agonist), 5-HT, PGF2alpha, SRS-A, bradykinin (BK) and carbachol contract bronchial and tracheal smooth muscles of the horse. Isoprenaline, PGE1, E2, dimaprit and 4-methylhistamine (last two = specific H2-agonists) relaxed airways which were partially contracted to carbachol. Mepyramine (a specific H1-antagonist) selectively antagonized contractions to histamine. In the presence of mepyramine, histamine caused relaxation of airways partially contracted to carbachol. Metiamide and burimamide (specific H2-antagonists) specifically antagonized or reverse...
Rock KD, Polera ME, Guillette TC, Starnes HM, Dean K, Watters M, Stevens-Stewart D, Belcher SM.Central North Carolina (NC) is highly contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part due to local fluorochemical production. Little is known about the exposure profiles and long-term health impacts for humans and animals that live in nearby communities. In this study, serum PFAS concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and diagnostic clinical chemistry endpoints were assessed for 31 dogs and 32 horses that reside in Gray's Creek NC at households with documented PFAS contamination in their drinking water. PFAS were detec...
Licka TF, Peham C, Frey A.To use electromyography (EMG) to measure physiologic activity of the longissimus dorsi muscles of horses during trotting on a treadmill. Methods: 15 adult horses (5 to 20 years old that weighed 450 to 700 kg) that did not have clinical signs of back pain. Methods: Data were recorded for each horse during trotting on a treadmill at speeds of 2.6 to 4.4 m/s. Surface electromyography was recorded bilaterally from the longissimus dorsi muscles at the levels of T12, T16, and L3. Results: In each motion cycle, 2 EMG maxima were found at the end of the diagonal stance phases. The EMG activity peaked ...
Butler CM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Stout TA, van der Kolk JH, Wollenberg Lv, Nielen M, Jongejan F, Werners AH, Houwers DJ.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has not been considered indigenous in The Netherlands. However, following the detection of an apparently indigenous subclinical Babesia caballi infection in a horse on Schouwen-Duiveland (an island in the Zeeland Province), a survey was undertaken between May and September 2010 to assess the prevalence of the causative agents of EP in the South-West of The Netherlands. Blood samples from 300 randomly selected horses were tested for specific antibodies against Theileria equi and B. caballi using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), and for parasite DNA using ...
Mouser VHM, Dautzenberg NMM, Levato R, van Rijen MHP, Dhert WJA, Malda J, Gawlitta D.The implantation of chondrocyte-laden hydrogels is a promising cartilage repair strategy. Chondrocytes can be spatially positioned in hydrogels and thus in defects, while current clinical cell therapies introduce chondrocytes in the defect depth. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of spatial chondrocyte distribution on the reparative process. To reduce animal experiments, an ex vivo osteochondral plug model was used and evaluated. The role of the delivered and endogenous cells in the repair process was investigated. Full thickness cartilage defects were created in equine ost...
Naumann S, Meyer JP, Kiesow A, Mrestani Y, Wohlrab J, Neubert RH.The penetration behavior into human nails and animal hoof membranes of a novel antifungal agent (EV-086K) for the treatment of onychomycosis was investigated in this study. The new drug provides a high lipophilicity which is adverse for penetration into nails. Therefore, four different formulations were developed, with particular focus on a colloidal carrier system (CCS) due to its penetration enhancing properties. On the one hand, ex vivo penetration experiments on human nails were performed. Afterwards the human nail plates were cut by cryomicrotome in order to quantify the drug concentratio...
Astakhova NM, Perelygin AA, Zharkikh AA, Lear TL, Coleman SJ, MacLeod JN, Brinton MA.Toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 8 (TLR3, TLR7, and TLR8) were studied in the genomes of the domestic horse and several other mammals. The messenger RNA sequences and exon/intron structures of these TLR genes were determined. An equine bacterial artificial chromosome clone containing the TLR3 gene was assigned by fluorescent in situ hybridization to the horse chromosomal location ECA27q16-q17 and this map location was confirmed using an equine radiation hybrid panel. Direct sequencing revealed 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding regions of the equine TLR 3, 7, and 8 genes. Of these p...
Riemersma DJ, Schamhardt HC.The mechanical properties of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and the suspensory ligament (SL) of the hindlimb of the horse were studied in vitro. The tendons were observed at several morphologically distinct sites. The loaded tendon is homogeneously strained, in spite of large variations in cross-sectional area. Consequently the modulus of elasticity was inversely proportional to the corresponding cross-sectional area and ranged from 738 MPa (megaPascal, N mm-2) to 1398 MPa within the DDFT, from 1000 MPa to 1282 MPa within the SDFT and from 5...
Perrotti V, Nicholls BM, Piattelli A.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro formation and activity of human osteoclasts (OCLs) generated on a new type of xenograft for bone substitution, an equine spongy bone. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were used to generate OCLs in vitro in the presence of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) on bovine bone slices (positive control) and equine spongy bone. Morphological and biochemical methods were used to assess OCLs formation and activity. Results: Cells generated after 21 day...
Gusson F, Carletti M, Albo AG, Dacasto M, Nebbia C.To complete a studyaimed at investigating the pattern of the basal activities of liver xenobioticmetabolizing enzymes in major and minor species intended for meat production, microsomal carboxylesterases and some conjugating enzyme activities were determined and compared in liver preparations from horses, cattle, pigs, rabbits and broiler chicks, using the rat as a reference species. Horses and broiler chicks exhibited a lower microsomal carboxylesterase activity towards indophenyl or p-nitrophenyl acetate than that measured in cattle or pig subfractions. Among food-producing species, the rate...
Mumford JA, Jessett DM, Rollinson EA, Hannant D, Draper ME.Seven previously untreated five-month-old New Forest ponies received two doses of equine influenza immunostimulating complex vaccines, one with and one without an immunopurified tetanus toxoid component, given by deep intramuscular injection six weeks apart, followed by a booster dose without tetanus toxoid five months later. Fifteen months after the third dose of vaccine, the ponies were challenged by exposure to an aerosol of influenza A/Equine 2/Sussex/89 (H3N8), a virus isolated from a recent outbreak of influenza A/equine 2 in Britain. The challenge produced severe clinical signs of influ...
Dubey JP, Streitel RH, Stromberg PC, Toussant MJ.Hearts, diaphragms, esophagi, and spinal cords from 266 horses were obtained at slaughter in Creston, Ohio. Tissues were examined microscopically for Sarcocystis in sections, digested in trypsin to obtain bradyzoites, and fed to 10 dogs and 10 cats. Intramuscular cysts were found in selections of two hearts from 57 horses and four esophagi from 107 horses. The cysts were up to 900 micron long and up to 70 micron wide. The cyst wall was 1 to 2 micron thick and cross-striated. The enclosed bradyzoites were banana-shaped, 15 to 20 by 20 to 3 micron, and contained several PAS-positive granules. Br...
The PC/LPC ratio of blood serum is increasingly considered to represent an important clinical parameter that reflects various kinds of diseases. Here, a simple and fast method of lipid analyses of "intact" blood serum (i.e. without extraction) by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is described. The novel procedure allows the accurate determination of the PC/LPC ratio, utilizing only a tiny amount of blood. The serum is diluted with distilled water and directly applied onto the MALDI target and, after drying, covered by a thin layer of the matrix solution (either 9-aminoacridine or 2,5-dihydroxybenzoi...
Metzger J, Rau J, Naccache F, Bas Conn L, Lindgren G, Distl O.Miniature size in horses represents an extreme reduction of withers height that originated after domestication. In some breeds, it is a highly desired trait representing a breed- or subtype-specific feature. The genomic changes that emerged due to strong-targeted selection towards this distinct type remain unclear. Results: Comparisons of whole-genome sequencing data from two Miniature Shetland ponies and one standard-sized Shetland pony, performed to elucidate genetic determinants for miniature size, revealed four synergistic variants, limiting withers height to 34.25 in. (87 cm). Runs of h...
Reed SA, Leahy ER.Tendon injuries affect all levels of athletic horses and represent a significant loss to the equine industry. Accumulation of microdamage within the tendon architecture leads to formation of core lesions. Traditional approaches to tendon repair are based on an initial period of rest to limit the inflammatory process followed by a controlled reloading program designed to promote the maturation and linear arrangement of scar tissue within the lesion. However, these treatment protocols are inefficient, resulting in prolonged recovery periods and frequent recurrence. Current alternative therapies ...
van Rijn PA, Maris-Veldhuis MA, Potgieter CA, van Gennip RGP.African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a virus species in the genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. Currently, nine serotypes have been defined showing limited cross neutralization. AHSV is transmitted by species of Culicoides biting midges and causes African Horse Sickness (AHS) in equids with a mortality up to 95% in naïve domestic horses. AHS has become a serious threat for countries outside Africa, since endemic Culicoides species in moderate climates are competent vectors of closely related bluetongue virus. AHS outbreaks cause huge economic losses in developing countries. In the dev...
Raekallio M, Taylor PM, Bennett RC.Twenty-five horses undergoing arthroscopic surgery were studied to develop a scheme for assessing pain in horses while investigating the effects of phenylbutazone (PBZ) analgesia. Fifteen of the 25 horses received PBZ 4 mg/kg intravenously (IV) before surgery and 2 mg/kg (IV) every 12 hours thereafter until 60 hours; the remaining 10 (placebo group) were given a corresponding volume of saline. In both groups, venous blood samples were collected for catecholamine, beta-endorphin, and cortisol assays before premedication and up to 72 hours after surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated by measu...
Smith RKW, McIlwraith CW.Tendinopathy remains one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders affecting both human and equine athletes and presents a considerable therapeutic challenge. The following workshop report comes from the third Dorothy Havemeyer Symposium of Tendinopathy which provided a unique overview of our current understanding of both the basic science and the clinical challenges for diagnosing and treating tendinopathy in both species. Pathologically, tendon demonstrates alterations in both cellular, molecular, structural, and biomechanical features, leading to a spectrum of pathological endotypes. To ...
Ataseven VS, Bilge-Dagalp S, Oguzoglu TC, Karapinar Z, Güzel M, Tan MT.The equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5), identified agents of respiratory infections and keratoconjunctivitis cases in some equids, comprise a high degree of antigenic heterogeneity. Prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-2 and EHV-5 strains from Turkey were investigated in this study. A total of 73 nasal swabs and 54 blood specimens were sampled from horses with respiratory tract diseases characterized by mucopurulent nasal discharge and occasional coughing. Overall, EHV-2- and EHV-5-specific DNA amplicons were obtained from 19.2% (14/73) and 21.9% (16/73) of horses tested by mu...
Hasegaw T, Sato F, Ishida N, Fukushima Y, Mukoyama H.A quick method for sex determination of horses was developed. Simultaneous amplification of the equine sex-determining region of the Y chromosome gene (SRY) and amelogenin gene (AMEL) accomplished the determination of the presence of both the Y chromosome and SRY gene. In agarose gel electrophoresis, a normal stallion showed 1 SRY band and 3 AMEL (AMELX, AMELY, and AMELX/AMELY heteroduplex) bands, and a normal mare showed a single AMELX band. In XY-mares, 3 AMEL bands were detected as in a normal stallion, but no SRY band. The present method enables a quick diagnosis for XY-mare prior to cytog...
