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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Bayesian Geostatistical Analysis and Ecoclimatic Determinant...
PloS one2015; 10(10); e0140666; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140666

Bayesian Geostatistical Analysis and Ecoclimatic Determinants of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Infection among Horses.

Abstract: Kansas witnessed an unprecedented outbreak in Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection among horses, a disease commonly referred to as pigeon fever during fall 2012. Bayesian geostatistical models were developed to identify key environmental and climatic risk factors associated with C. pseudotuberculosis infection in horses. Positive infection status among horses (cases) was determined by positive test results for characteristic abscess formation, positive bacterial culture on purulent material obtained from a lanced abscess (n = 82), or positive serologic evidence of exposure to organism (≥ 1:512)(n = 11). Horses negative for these tests (n = 172)(controls) were considered free of infection. Information pertaining to horse demographics and stabled location were obtained through review of medical records and/or contact with horse owners via telephone. Covariate information for environmental and climatic determinants were obtained from USDA (soil attributes), USGS (land use/land cover), and NASA MODIS and NASA Prediction of Worldwide Renewable Resources (climate). Candidate covariates were screened using univariate regression models followed by Bayesian geostatistical models with and without covariates. The best performing model indicated a protective effect for higher soil moisture content (OR = 0.53, 95% CrI = 0.25, 0.71), and detrimental effects for higher land surface temperature (≥ 35°C) (OR = 2.81, 95% CrI = 2.21, 3.85) and habitat fragmentation (OR = 1.31, 95% CrI = 1.27, 2.22) for C. pseudotuberculosis infection status in horses, while age, gender and breed had no effect. Preventative and ecoclimatic significance of these findings are discussed.
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Publication Date: 2015-10-16 PubMed ID: 26473728PubMed Central: PMC4608828DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140666Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Research done in Kansas examined the impact of environmental and climatic risk factors on Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, commonly known as pigeon fever, infections among horses using Bayesian geostatistical models.

Study Description

  • The study was conducted in response to an unprecedented outbreak of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (pigeon fever) among horses in Kansas during the fall of 2012.
  • The research employed Bayesian geostatistical models to discern environmental and climatic factors that correlated with infection rates.
  • An infection was confirmed if a horse returned a positive test result for abscess formation, positive bacterial culture from purulent material from a lanced abscess, or had serologic evidence of exposure to the bacteria. Horses testing negative were deemed infection-free.
  • Data regarding horse demographics and stabling location were obtained from medical records or through contact with horse owners.

Data Sources and Analysis

  • The study utilized information from various authoritative sources including the US Department of Agriculture (soil attributes data), the United States Geological Survey (land use and cover data), and NASA’s MODIS and Prediction of Worldwide Renewable Resources datasets (climate data).
  • The researchers undertook a two-stage statistical analysis: first a univariate regression model was employed to screen candidate covariates, then Bayesian geostatistical models were used both with and without these covariates.

Key Findings

  • The model that performed best pointed to soil moisture content as a protective factor against infection
  • Higher land surface temperatures (≥ 35°C) and habitat fragmentation surfaced as risk factors for the infection.
  • Factors such as age, gender, and breed had no significant bearing on infection rates.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concluded with a discussion of the preventative measures that can be taken in light of these findings, stressing the role of environmental and climatic factors in the spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections among horses.
  • The research results aid in understanding the geographical distribution of pigeon fever and could guide strategies for its prevention and control through modification of environmental and climatic conditions where possible.

Cite This Article

APA
Boysen C, Davis EG, Beard LA, Lubbers BV, Raghavan RK. (2015). Bayesian Geostatistical Analysis and Ecoclimatic Determinants of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Infection among Horses. PLoS One, 10(10), e0140666. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140666

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
Pages: e0140666

Researcher Affiliations

Boysen, Courtney
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.
Davis, Elizabeth G
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.
Beard, Laurie A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.
Lubbers, Brian V
  • Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.
Raghavan, Ram K
  • Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Corynebacterium Infections / microbiology
  • Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary
  • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Kansas
  • Male
  • Seasons

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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