A retrospective study of the prevalence in equine postmortems of cranial mesenteric arteritis caused by Strongylus vulgaris in Alberta (2010 to 2022).
Abstract: is one of the most pathogenic nematodes affecting equids. Larval migration through the cranial mesenteric artery (CMA) with attendant arteritis and thromboembolism can result in fatal non-strangulating intestinal infarction. Once considered a historical disease, recent studies have described the reemergence of this pathogen in several European countries; however, little is known of the current prevalence of in the Canadian horse population. Unassigned: To determine the prevalence of active cranial mesenteric arteritis in horses submitted for postmortem examination to the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Unassigned: We conducted a retrospective review of all equine postmortem cases submitted to the DSU between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2022. Over 12 y, 510 horses > 2 mo of age from Alberta were submitted to the DSU for necropsy. Active cases were defined as those with endarteritis and thrombosis in the CMA or its branches. Those cases with only intimal scarring of the CMA were classified as historical. Unassigned: The prevalence of all CMA lesions (both historical and active) over the study period was 17.3% (88/510). Active cranial mesenteric arteritis was documented in 6.1% (31/510) of equine postmortems and the sequelae of verminous arteritis were the cause of euthanasia or death in 1.5% (8/510) of the cases submitted. Unassigned: Even after historically intense efforts to eradicate this parasite, the continued effects of are demonstrated by the results of this study. should not be regarded as a parasite of the past and verminous arteritis remains an important differential diagnosis for horses in western Canada presenting with mild colic or dull demeanor and anorexia of duration > 24 h. Furthermore, should be taken into careful consideration when implementing antiparasitic control strategies. Practitioners should remain current on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this potentially reemerging and fatal equine disease. Étude rétrospective de la prévalence lors d’autopsies équines de l’artérite mésentérique crâniale causée par en Alberta (2010 à 2022). Unassigned: est l’un des nématodes les plus pathogènes affectant les équidés. La migration des larves à travers l’artère mésentérique crâniale (CMA), accompagnée d’artérite et de thromboembolie, peut entraîner un infarctus intestinal non étranglant mortel. Autrefois considérée comme une maladie historique, des études récentes ont décrit la réémergence de cet agent pathogène dans plusieurs pays européens; cependant, on sait peu de choses sur la prévalence actuelle de dans la population équine canadienne. Unassigned: Déterminer la prévalence de l’artérite mésentérique crâniale active à chez les chevaux soumis pour examen post mortem au (DSU), . Unassigned: Nous avons effectué un examen rétrospectif de tous les cas post-mortem d’équidés soumis au DSU entre le 1 juillet 2010 et le 30 juin 2022. Sur 12 ans, 510 chevaux âgés de plus de 2 mois de l’Alberta ont été soumis au DSU pour autopsie. Les cas actifs ont été définis comme ceux présentant une endartérite et une thrombose dans la CMA ou ses branches. Les cas présentant uniquement des cicatrices à l’intima de la CMA ont été classés comme anciens. Unassigned: La prévalence de toutes les lésions de CMA (anciennes et actives) au cours de la période d’étude était de 17,3 % (88/510). Une artérite mésentérique crâniale active à a été documentée dans 6,1 % (31/510) des autopsies équines et les séquelles de l’artérite vermineuse ont été la cause de l’euthanasie ou du décès dans 1,5 % (8/510) des cas soumis. Unassigned: Malgré des efforts historiquement intenses pour éradiquer ce parasite, les effets continus de sont démontrés par les résultats de cette étude. ne doit pas être considéré comme un parasite du passé et l’artérite vermineuse demeure un diagnostic différentiel important pour les chevaux de l’ouest du Canada présentant des coliques légères ou un comportement abattu et une anorexie de durée > 24 h. De plus, doit être attentivement pris en compte lors de la mise en œuvre de stratégies de contrôle antiparasitaire. Les praticiens doivent rester informés de la prévention, du diagnostic et du traitement de cette maladie équine potentiellement ré-émergente et mortelle.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Publication Date: PubMed ID: 38827589
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Summary
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This research investigates the prevalence of cranial mesenteric arteritis caused by Strongylus vulgaris in horses from Alberta, using postmortem data between 2010 and 2022. It suggests that despite efforts to eradicate this pathogen, it continues to be a significant health issue for the equine population.
Objective of the Research
- The research aimed to determine the prevalence of active Strongylus vulgaris cranial mesenteric arteritis in horses submitted for postmortem examination to the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Methodology of the Study
- The scientists conducted a retrospective review of all equine postmortem cases submitted to the DSU between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022.
- Any horses over two months old from Alberta that were submitted to the DSU for necropsy were included in the study, resulting in a sample size of 510 horses.
- Active cases were identified as those exhibiting endarteritis and thrombosis in the Cranial Mesenteric Artery (CMA) or its branches. Any cases with only innermost scarring of the CMA were classified as historical.
Key Findings
- The study identified CMA lesions (both historical and active) in 17.3% of the examined equine specimens (88 out of 510).
- The prevalence of active Strongylus vulgaris cranial mesenteric arteritis was found in 6.1% of the equine postmortems (31 out of 510).
- The study further revealed that verminous arteritis was the cause of euthanasia or death in 1.5% of the submitted cases (8 out of 510).
Implications of the Findings
- The study indicates that despite extensive historical efforts to eradicate Strongylus vulgaris, it continues to impact the equine population.
- This work strongly recommends that Strongylus vulgaris should not be disregarded as a ‘parasite of the past’ and verminous arteritis should still be considered an important differential diagnosis for horses in western Canada exhibiting mild colic, a dull demeanor, or anorexia for periods exceeding 24 hours.
- Furthermore, it suggests practitioners need to keep up to date on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this potentially reemerging and fatal equine disease.
- There needs to be thorough consideration of Strongylus vulgaris when implementing any antiparasitic control strategies.
Cite This Article
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A retrospective study of the prevalence in equine postmortems of cranial mesenteric arteritis caused by Strongylus vulgaris in Alberta (2010 to 2022).
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