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Home / Equine Research Bank / Theriogenology / Disease transmission in horses.
Theriogenology2006; 66(3); 551-559; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.04.019

Disease transmission in horses.

Abstract: Bacterial, viral and protozoal infections may cause severe reproductive losses. The present paper reviews the risk factors, clinical signs and preventive measures for the most important venereal or potential sexually transmitted diseases in horses. The stallion and use of semen for artificial insemination represent major risk factors for the transmission of bacterial contaminants of the penis, including Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, known to cause endometritis and infertility in the mare. The role of the stallion in disease transmission is also due to the non-clinical manifestation of diseases such as contagious equine metritis and equine viral arteritis. Dourine has been eradicated from many countries, but continues to be a problem in other areas of the globe. Strategies for the prevention of introduction and transmission of diseases in breeding operation are discussed.
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Publication Date: 2006-07-11 PubMed ID: 16837034DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.04.019Google 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.

This research article investigates the role played by bacterial, viral and protozoal infections in causing reproductive losses in horses. The study also explores the risk factors, clinical signs and preventive measures for these diseases, some of which are potentially sexually transmitted.

Understanding Disease Transmission in Horses

  • The research paper discusses the grave impact of infections – bacterial, viral and protozoal – on the reproductive health of horses. These infections can lead to significant reproductive losses, affecting the overall population and health of horses.
  • The article further addresses venereal or potential sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases include bacterial contaminants like Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are known to cause inflammation of the uterus (endometritis) and infertility in mares.

The Role of the Stallion in Disease Transmission

  • The stallion (male horse) and its semen represent major risk factors in these infectious transmissions. Even though a stallion may not exhibit any symptoms, it can still be a carrier of serious diseases such as contagious equine metritis and equine viral arteritis.
  • The illnesses may be asymptomatic in the stallion, further complicating the detection and prevention of these diseases. This non-clinical manifestation poses significant challenges in controlling the spread of infections.

Dourine: A Persistent Global Challenge

  • Dourine, a protozoal infection, is another focus area of this research. Though eradicated from many countries, it continues to pose a serious problem for horse populations in other geographical regions.

Prevention Strategies for Equine Infections

  • The paper also discusses the role of preventive strategies in eliminating the transmission of these infections in breeding operations. However, it does not specify what these strategies are, possibly indicating a gap in the research that may need to be filled with further investigation and study.

Cite This Article

APA
Samper JC, Tibary A. (2006). Disease transmission in horses. Theriogenology, 66(3), 551-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.04.019

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 66
Issue: 3
Pages: 551-559

Researcher Affiliations

Samper, Juan C
  • Veterinary Reproductive Services, Langley, BC, Canada. jsamper@telus.net
Tibary, Ahmed

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Carrier State
    • Female
    • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
    • Horse Diseases / transmission
    • Horses
    • Insemination, Artificial / adverse effects
    • Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
    • Male
    • Risk Factors
    • Semen / microbiology
    • Semen / parasitology
    • Semen / virology
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / transmission
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / veterinary
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / prevention & control
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / transmission
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / veterinary
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / prevention & control
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / transmission
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / veterinary

    References

    This article includes 124 references

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