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American journal of veterinary research2011; 72(1); 73-79; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.72.1.73

Effects of location for collection of air samples on a farm and time of day of sample collection on airborne concentrations of virulent Rhodococcus equi at two horse breeding farms.

Abstract: To determine whether airborne concentrations of virulent Rhodococcus equi at 2 horse breeding farms varied on the basis of location, time of day, and month. Methods: 2 farms in central Kentucky with recurrent R equi-induced pneumonia in foals. Methods: From February through July 2008, air samples were collected hourly for a 24-hour period each month from stalls and paddocks used to house mares and their foals. Concentrations of airborne virulent R equi were determined via a modified colony immunoblot technique. Differences were compared by use of zero-inflated negative binomial methods to determine effects of location, time, and month. Results: Whether mares and foals were housed predominantly in stalls or paddocks significantly affected results for location of sample collection (stall vs paddock) by increasing airborne concentrations of virulent R equi at the site where horses were predominantly housed. Airborne concentrations of virulent R equi were significantly higher from 6:00 pm through 11:59 pm than for the period from midnight through 5:59 am. Airborne concentrations of virulent R equi did not differ significantly between farms or among months. Conclusions: Airborne concentrations of virulent R equi were significantly increased when horses were predominantly housed at the site for collection of air samples (ie, higher in stalls when horses were predominantly housed in stalls and higher in paddocks when horses were predominantly housed in paddocks). Concentrations of virulent R equi among air samples collected between the hours of 6:00 am and midnight appeared similar.
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Publication Date: 2011-01-05 PubMed ID: 21194338PubMed Central: PMC3381359DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.72.1.73Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research article investigates whether the airborne concentrations of a bacteria called Rhodococcus equi at two horse-breeding farms vary depending on the location, time of day, and month. The findings reveal that the concentrations differ based on location and time, but not month or farm.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The research was conducted on two horse breeding farms in central Kentucky that were experiencing recurring instances of R.Equi-induced pneumonia in foals.
  • Air samples were collected hourly over a 24-hour period each month from February to July 2008. The sampling was done in two different locations: stalls and paddocks used for housing mares and their foals.
  • The airborne concentrations of virulent R.equi were determined using a modified colony immunoblot technique, a method that identifies specific proteins associated with the bacteria.
  • Differences in bacterial concentrations were then compared using statistical methods (zero-inflated negative binomial methods), to ascertain any effects of location, time, and month on the atmospheric concentration of the bacteria.

Research Findings

  • It was determined that the concentration of airborne R.equi significantly increased in the area where horses were predominantly housed. This implies that if mares and foals were mostly kept in stalls, the concentrations in stalls were higher and vice versa for the paddocks.
  • Time of day was also found to significantly impact the concentrations of R.equi. Results indicated that these were notably higher between 6:00 pm and 11:59 pm as compared to the period from midnight through 5:59 am.
  • The study further revealed that these airborne concentrations did not significantly vary between the two farms or among different months within the study period.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This finding implies that to limit the exposure of horses to this bacteria, considerations should be made regarding where and when horses are housed.
  • By adjusting the housing practices depending on the time of day, it may be possible to decrease a horse’s exposure to virulent R.equi and thus control the spread of R.equi-induced pneumonia in foals.
  • The finding that airborne concentrations of virulent R.equi did not significantly vary between the two farms suggests this bacterial presence is perhaps a more widespread issue and is not confined to specific farms.
  • The lack of significant monthly variability underscores the ongoing nature of the problem, highlighting the need for constant monitoring and use of preventive measures throughout the year.

Cite This Article

APA
Kuskie KR, Smith JL, Wang N, Carter CN, Chaffin MK, Slovis NM, Stepusin RS, Cattoi AE, Takai S, Cohen ND. (2011). Effects of location for collection of air samples on a farm and time of day of sample collection on airborne concentrations of virulent Rhodococcus equi at two horse breeding farms. Am J Vet Res, 72(1), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.72.1.73

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 72
Issue: 1
Pages: 73-79

Researcher Affiliations

Kuskie, Kyle R
  • Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Smith, Jacqueline L
    Wang, Naisyin
      Carter, Craig N
        Chaffin, M Keith
          Slovis, Nathan M
            Stepusin, Randolph S
              Cattoi, Anthony E
                Takai, Shinji
                  Cohen, Noah D

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Air Microbiology
                    • Animals
                    • Female
                    • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                    • Horses
                    • Housing, Animal
                    • Humidity
                    • Rhodococcus equi / isolation & purification
                    • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
                    • Temperature
                    • Time Factors
                    • Virulence
                    • Wind

                    Grant Funding

                    • R01 CA074552 / NCI NIH HHS
                    • R01 CA074552-14 / NCI NIH HHS
                    • R29 CA074552 / NCI NIH HHS
                    • CA74552 / NCI NIH HHS

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                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 5 times.
                    1. Álvarez-Narváez S, Huber L, Giguère S, Hart KA, Berghaus RD, Sanchez S, Cohen ND. Epidemiology and Molecular Basis of Multidrug Resistance in Rhodococcus equi. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021 May 19;85(2).
                      doi: 10.1128/MMBR.00011-21pubmed: 33853933google scholar: lookup
                    2. Burton AJ, Giguère S, Sturgill TL, Berghaus LJ, Slovis NM, Whitman JL, Levering C, Kuskie KR, Cohen ND. Macrolide- and rifampin-resistant Rhodococcus equi on a horse breeding farm, Kentucky, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2013 Feb;19(2):282-5.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1902.121210pubmed: 23347878google scholar: lookup
                    3. Villalba-Orero M, Gómez CA, Valero-Gónzalez M, Venegas N, Criado G, Martín-Cuervo M. Blood parameters in neonatal foal and colostrum quality as possible early markers for increased risk of developing Rhodococcus equi pneumonia. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1654052.
                      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1654052pubmed: 40948621google scholar: lookup
                    4. Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024 Jul 29;13(8).
                      doi: 10.3390/antibiotics13080713pubmed: 39200013google scholar: lookup
                    5. Hu B, Gao S, Zhang H, Li Q, Li G, Zhang S, Xing Y, Huang Y, Han S, Tian Y, Zhang W, He H. Whole-genome sequencing and pathogenicity analysis of Rhodococcus equi isolated in horses. BMC Vet Res 2024 Aug 12;20(1):362.
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