Epidemiological investigation of equine hindlimb ataxia with Setaria digitata in South Korea.
Abstract: Since 2013, the number of requests for diagnosis for horses based on neurological symptoms has increased rapidly in South Korea. The affected horses have commonly exhibited symptoms of acute seasonal hindlimb ataxia. A previous study from 2015-2016 identified as the causative agent. Objective: This study is an epidemiological investigation to find out risk factors related to the rapid increase in hindlimb ataxia of horses due to aberrant parasites in South Korea. Methods: An epidemiological investigation was conducted on 155 cohabiting horses in 41 horse ranches where the disease occurred. The surrounding environment was investigated at the disease-causing horse ranches (n = 41) and 20, randomly selected, non-infected ranches. Results: Hindlimb ataxia was confirmed in nine cohabiting horses; this was presumed to be caused by ectopic parasitism. Environments that mosquitoes inhabit, such as paddy fields within 2 km and less than 0.5 km from a river, had the greatest association with disease occurrence. Conclusions: Most horse ranches in South Korea are situated in favorable environments for mosquitoes. Moreover, the number of mosquitoes in the country has increased since 2013 due to climate change. Additional research is required; however, these data show that it is necessary to establish guidelines for the use of anthelmintic agents based on local factors in South Korea and disinfection of the environment to prevent disease outbreaks.
© 2022 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.
Publication Date: 2022-09-30 PubMed ID: 36174979PubMed Central: PMC9523341DOI: 10.4142/jvs.22045Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Ataxia
- Climate
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Mosquito-borne Diseases
- Neurological Diseases
- Parasites
- Risk Factors
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research centers around the recent rise in South Korean cases of hindlimb ataxia, a nervous disorder, in horses. The disease is linked to the Setaria digitata parasite and areas habited by mosquitoes.
Investigating Equine Hindlimb Ataxia
The study carried out an epidemiological investigation into horses presenting with hindlimb ataxia – a neuromuscular disorder that affects the coordination of horses’ rear legs. The disease develops due to the presence of the Setaria digitata parasite, which is believed to have led to a rise in horse neuromuscular symptoms reports in South Korea since 2013.
- The research looked into 155 cohabiting horses across 41 ranches where ataxia cases had been reported.
- Surrounding environments were also studied both at the affected ranches (41 in number) and 20 other randomly selected, non-infected ranches.
Findings from the Investigation
The detailed study led to several informative revelations:
- Out of all the cohabiting horses studied, nine were confirmed to have hindlimb ataxia thought to be caused by ectopic parasitism.
- Environmental factors played a significant role in disease incidence, with ranches within 2 kilometers of paddy fields and less than 0.5 kilometers from a river on high risk. These areas are usually inhabited by mosquitoes, the main agents of Setaria digitata transmission.
- Horse ranches in South Korea are mostly situated in environments that are favorable for mosquito inhabitance.
- The number of mosquitoes in the country has increased since 2013, correlating with the increased reports of horse neurological symptoms. This is believed to be an effect of climate change.
Conclusions from the Study
The study concludes with a call to action based on the findings:
- There is a need for more research into the rising cases of equine hindlimb ataxia in South Korea.
- Considering the link between disease occurrence and environmental factors, it is crucial to establish guidelines for the use of anthelmintic agents (used to eradicate parasitic worms).
- Disinfecting the environment, especially areas close to paddy fields and rivers, is also necessary as a preventive measure against future disease outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Hwang H, Ro Y, Lee H, Kim J, Lee K, Choi EJ, Bae YC, So B, Kwon D, Kim H, Lee I.
(2022).
Epidemiological investigation of equine hindlimb ataxia with Setaria digitata in South Korea.
J Vet Sci, 23(5), e75.
https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.22045 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center, Institutes of Green Bio Science & Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Pathologic Diagnostic Laboratory, Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center, Institutes of Green Bio Science & Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea. inhyunglee@snu.ac.kr.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ataxia / veterinary
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Hindlimb
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Republic of Korea / epidemiology
Grant Funding
- Z-1543069-2015-16-01 / Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Research Institute of Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 16 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Ullah A, Geng M, Chen W, Zhu Q, Shi L, Zhang X, Akhtar MF, Wang C, Khan MZ. Effect of Parasitic Infections on Hematological Profile, Reproductive and Productive Performance in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 14;15(22).
- Abbas G, Nielsen MK, E-Hage C, Ghafar A, Beveridge I, Bauquier J, Beasley A, Wilkes EJA, Carrigan P, Cudmore L, Jacobson C, Hughes KJ, Jabbar A. Recent advances in intestinal helminth parasites of horses in the Asia-Pacific region: Current trends, challenges and future directions. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2025 Dec;29:100622.
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