Effect of season and geographic location in the United States on detection of potential enteric pathogens or toxin genes in horses ≥6-mo-old.
Abstract: We investigated the effects of season and geographic location on detection of nucleic acids of potential enteric pathogens (PEPs) or their toxins (PEP-Ts) in feces of horses ≥6-mo-old in the United States. Results of 3,343 equine diarrhea PCR panels submitted to Idexx Laboratories for horses >6-mo-old were reviewed. Submission months were grouped into 4 seasons, and states were grouped into 4 geographic regions. Logistic regression was performed to assess effects of season and region on detection rates of PEPs and PEP-Ts. Agresti-Coull CIs were determined. Detection rate of was higher in the South in summer compared to all other regions, and was also higher in the South in fall compared to the Midwest and Northeast. The detection rate was lower during summer in the West and higher in fall in the Midwest. Detection of spp. was lower during spring, summer, and winter in the West. Differences were not identified for detection rates of , , , , equine rotavirus, and equine coronavirus. Overall, our data support seasonal and regional differences in detection rates of , , and spp. in horses ≥6-mo-old in the United States.
Publication Date: 2021-11-11 PubMed ID: 34763559PubMed Central: PMC9254065DOI: 10.1177/10406387211056054Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigated how season and geographic location in the United States affect the detection of potential enteric pathogens or their toxins in horses older than six months. The study found that season and location have an impact on detection rates, with some pathogens showing higher detection rates in certain locations during specific seasons.
Methodology and Data Collection
- The study analyzed results from 3,343 equine diarrhea PCR panels, provided by Idexx Laboratories, which were conducted on horses older than six months.
- The submissions were divided by the month of submission into four seasons, and the states were divided into four geographic regions.
- A logistics regression analysis was used to assess the effects of season and region on the detection rates of potential enteric pathogens (PEPs) and their toxins (PEP-Ts).
- Confidence intervals were determined using the Agresti-Coull method.
Results and Discussion
- Detection rates of specific unnamed pathogens were found to be higher in the southern region during the summer and fall seasons, compared to all other locations or the Midwest and Northeast specifically.
- Another unnamed pathogen showed a lower detection rate in the western region during the summer, but a higher rate in the Midwest during the fall.
- Detection of a specific type of spp. pathogens was found to be lower in the western region during spring, summer, and winter.
- No significant differences were identified for detection rates of several unnamed pathogens, equine rotavirus, and equine coronavirus.
- The findings indicated that there are specific seasonal and regional differences in detection rates of certain pathogens in horses aged over six months in the United States.
- The inconsistencies in detection rates among different enteric pathogens or their toxins across seasons and geographical locations suggest that some factors interact with these pathogens in varying ways.
Conclusions
- This study provides important insights into the effects of season and geography on the detection of potential enteric pathogens in horses over six months old.
- Such insights are valuable for epidemiological studies, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies in the equine population.
- However, further research is needed to more deeply understand the mechanisms behind these varying detection rates and to identify the specific pathogens involved.
Cite This Article
APA
Willette JA, Kopper JJ, Kogan CJ, Seguin MA, Schott HC.
(2021).
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, 34(3), 407-411.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387211056054 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Statistical Education and Research, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
- Idexx Laboratories, Westbrook, ME, USA.
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Clostridioides difficile
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Cryptosporidium
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Seasons
- United States / epidemiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
M. Alexis Seguin is employed by Idexx Reference Laboratories, which provided the data for
this manuscript. The remaining authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with
respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Amory H, Cesarini C, De Maré L, Loublier C, Moula N, Detilleux J, Saulmont M, Garigliany MM, Lecoq L. Relationship between the Cycle Threshold Value (Ct) of a Salmonella spp. qPCR Performed on Feces and Clinical Signs and Outcome in Horses. Microorganisms 2023 Jul 30;11(8).
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