A study of neonatal cryptosporidiosis of foals in New Zealand.
Abstract: To assess the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal specimens from foals, and investigate an outbreak of neonatal cryptosporidiosis in foals revealed in the course of the study. Methods: Faecal specimens from foals received by a diagnostic veterinary laboratory in New Zealand between 2006 and 2007 were submitted to Massey University and tested microscopically for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. The Cryptosporidium isolates in the oocyst-positive specimens were genetically identified to species level. In addition, specimen submission data from the participating laboratory for 2005-2007 were examined. In the course of the study, the identification of one Cryptosporidium-positive specimen triggered an on-farm investigation. Results: Twelve faecal specimens submitted by the participating laboratory between 2006 and 2007 were tested further, and three were positive for C. parvum. Specimen submission records indicated a total of 67 faecal specimens were tested for Cryptosporidium by the participating laboratory between 2005 and 2007; 12 (18%) were positive. The on-farm investigation on a broodmare farm revealed a high incidence of neonatal diarrhoea in foals; C. parvum was the only enteropathogen found in the faeces of 4/4 affected foals examined. The diarrhoea in all those foals was self-limiting, manifesting during the second week of life, resembling foal heat diarrhoea, and accompanied by a short but intense period of shedding oocysts. Conclusions: The fact that Cryptosporidium parasites were identified in 18% of faecal specimens from foals analysed for this agent in 2005-2007 by the participating laboratory indicated that infection with this agent in foals is not uncommon. Collectively, the results of this and previous studies performed in New Zealand indicate C. parvum is a cause of diarrhoea in newborn foals, potentially accounting for a proportion of cases empirically diagnosed as foal heat diarrhoea. It is therefore advisable to take precautions when handling diarrhoeic foals, until this potentially zoonotic agent is ruled out in the laboratory.
Publication Date: 2009-10-06 PubMed ID: 19802042DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2009.58622Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article discusses a study conducted in New Zealand on the prevalence and impact of Cryptosporidium oocysts, a parasitic infection, in foal fecal samples with a particular focus on an outbreak of neonatal cryptosporidiosis.
Methods Employed
- The study was carried out by testing faecal samples from foals received by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory within the span of 2006 to 2007. These samples were sent to Massey University for microscopic testing to detect the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts.
- The Cryptosporidium isolates found in the samples were genetically identified to the species level to gather specific data on the kind of Cryptosporidium infecting the foals.
- Alongside this, data from the samples sent between 2005 and 2007 were reviewed.
- An on-site investigation was triggered when a Cryptosporidium-positive sample was identified.
Results Acquired
- Out of the 12 fecal samples submitted between 2006 and 2007 that were further tested, 3 were found to be positive for C. parvum.
- Of the 67 faecal specimens tested for Cryptosporidium between 2005 and 2007, 12 (18%) came out positive, suggesting a prevalence of the infection.
- The on-site investigation on a broodmare farm showed a high prevalence of neonatal diarrhoea in foals. The only enteropathogen discovered in the faecal samples of all 4 infected foals was C. parvum.
- The diarrhoea noted in all these foals was self-limiting and appeared during the second week of their life. It was similar to foal heat diarrhoea and involved a short but intense period of oocyst shedding.
Conclusions Drawn
- The study noted a significant 18% positivity rate for Cryptosporidium in the tested samples, indicating that infection with this parasite in foals is not uncommon.
- The results of this and previous studies in New Zealand suggest that C. parvum is a cause of diarrhoea in newborn foals and potentially explains a part of the cases diagnosed as foal heat diarrhoea.
- The study advises caution while handling diarrhoeic foals until the possibility of this zoonotic agent is ruled out in laboratory tests.
Cite This Article
APA
Grinberg A, Pomroy WE, Carslake HB, Shi Y, Gibson IR, Drayton BM.
(2009).
A study of neonatal cryptosporidiosis of foals in New Zealand.
N Z Vet J, 57(5), 284-289.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2009.58622 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. a.grinberg@massey.ac.nz
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
- Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
- Cryptosporidium parvum / isolation & purification
- Diarrhea / parasitology
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Feces / parasitology
- Horses
- Incidence
- New Zealand / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Thompson K, Taylor J, Mendez D, Chicken C, Carrick J, Durrheim DN. Willingness to adopt personal biosecurity strategies on thoroughbred breeding farms: Findings from a multi-site pilot study in Australia's Hunter Valley. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1017452.
- Li XM, Geng HL, Wei YJ, Yan WL, Liu J, Wei XY, Zhang M, Wang XY, Zhang XX, Liu G. Global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in Equus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:1072385.
- Willette JA, Kopper JJ, Kogan CJ, Seguin MA, Schott HC. Effect of season and geographic location in the United States on detection of potential enteric pathogens or toxin genes in horses ≥6-mo-old. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 May;34(3):407-411.
- Kopper JJ, Willette JA, Kogan CJ, Seguin A, Bolin SR, Schott HC 2nd. Detection of pathogens in blood or feces of adult horses with enteric disease and association with outcome of colitis. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Sep;35(5):2465-2472.
- Mallicote M, House AM, Sanchez LC. A review of foal diarrhoea from birth to weaning. Equine Vet Educ 2012 Apr;24(4):206-214.
- Attia MM, Khalifa MM, Atwa MT. The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt. Vet World 2018 Sep;11(9):1298-1306.
- Olivo G, Lucas TM, Borges AS, Silva RO, Lobato FC, Siqueira AK, da Silva Leite D, Brandão PE, Gregori F, de Oliveira-Filho JP, Takai S, Ribeiro MG. Enteric Pathogens and Coinfections in Foals with and without Diarrhea. Biomed Res Int 2016;2016:1512690.
- Liu A, Zhang J, Zhao J, Zhao W, Wang R, Zhang L. The first report of Cryptosporidium andersoni in horses with diarrhea and multilocus subtype analysis. Parasit Vectors 2015 Sep 22;8:483.
- Wagnerová P, Sak B, McEvoy J, Rost M, Matysiak AP, Ježková J, Kváč M. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. including novel identification of the Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium tyzzeri in horses in the Czech Republic and Poland. Parasitol Res 2015 Apr;114(4):1619-24.
- Harris R, Sankar K, Small JA, Suepaul R, Stewart-Johnson A, Adesiyun A. Prevalence and characteristics of enteric pathogens detected in diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic foals in trinidad. Vet Med Int 2012;2012:724959.
- Dahmani A, Salhi O, Nabi M, Boucif A, Mekroud M, Touhami NAK, Ouchene N. Abortive diseases in horses and donkeys in Algeria: a systematic review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):30.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
