A survey of equine abortion and perinatal foal losses in Hungary during a three-year period (1998-2000).

The research article investigates cases of horse abortions and newborn foal deaths in Hungary in a span of three years (1998-2000), using a variety of medical methods to identify the cause of these incidents.

Research Method

• The study was carried out in Hungary over a three-year period, from 1998 to 2000.
• Samples from aborted horse fetuses and newborn foals were collected and examined. The total number of samples taken was 96.
• Various diagnostic methods were used to examine these samples. These included bacteriological, virological, pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), molecular biological and serological methods.

Research Findings

• The cause of abortion and perinatal foal loss was successfully identified in approximately 70% of the cases. This equates to 67 of the 96 cases.
• Viruses were identified as the cause in 23% of the cases (22/96). In one case, a combination of a virus and a bacterium was found.
• Bacteria were identified as the cause in 24% of the cases (23/96).
• Other causes identified were protozoan infection in 1% of the cases (1/96), fungal infection in 2% of the cases (2/96).
• Morphological lesions suggestive of infection were observed in 2% of the cases (2/96).
• Non-infectious causes were identified in 17% of the cases (16/96).

Conclusion

• This research presented crucial findings regarding horse abortions and newborn foal deaths in Hungary over the specified time period.
• Viral and bacterial infections were the most common causes, though protozoan, fungal, and non-infectious causes were also identified. This knowledge aids in our understanding of equine health and can significantly influence preventive and treatment methods for such occurrences.
• However, in approximately 30% of the cases, the cause of death or abortion was not determined, indicating that further research might be necessary to identify other potential causes.