Epidemiological survey of equine influenza in Andalusia, Spain.
Abstract: Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease considered the most important respiratory disease in equids. Although influenza A virus (IAV) has caused outbreaks in equids worldwide, surveillance in these species in Spain has not been conducted. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the individual and herd prevalence of antibodies against H3N8 and H7N7 IAV in equids in Andalusia (southern Spain). Antibodies againsts IAV were measured by the single radial haemolysis assay. A spatial scan statistical analysis was carried out using a Bernoulli model. Risk factors associated with IAV infection were assessed by multivariate analysis. Antibodies to H3N8 IAV were detected in 241 out of 464 unvaccinated equids (51.9%; 95% CI: 47.4-56.5). Seropositivity against the H7N7 subtype IAV was not found in any of the analysed animals. Significantly higher seropositivity was found in geriatric (OR = 6.1, P = 0.008, 95% CI = 1.6-23.1) and adult (OR = 4.8, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.5-9.0) equids compared to young animals. Specific antibodies against A/equine/Shropshire/2010 (H3N8) or A/equine/Newmarket/5/2003 (H3N8) only were confirmed in 11 and 45 of the animals, respectively. The spatial analysis showed a statistically significant cluster centred in the west part of Andalusia. The results confirmed widespread H3N8 subtype IAV exposure in equine species in Andalusia. Conversely, the absence of seropositivity against H7N7 IAV obtained in the present study suggests that this subtype has not circulated in southern Spain in recent years. Because of the animal health and economic consequences of IAV in equids, further surveillance and molecular studies are required to monitor and characterize the most prevalent IAV circulating in these species in Spain.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-01-11 PubMed ID: 29496107DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.01.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study examines the occurrence of equine influenza in Andalusia, Spain, by checking for antibodies against different influenza A virus strains in the region’s horse population. The research found a high presence of antibodies against H3N8 strain, particularly in adult and geriatric animals, but none against the H7N7 strain.
Survey Methodology
- This research was conducted in Andalusia, Spain, using a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of equine influenza.
- The team collected samples from 464 unvaccinated horses within the region, looking specifically for antibodies against two influenza A virus (IAV) strains, H3N8 and H7N7.
- Antibodies against Influenza A virus were discerned by using a single radial haemolysis assay. This particular method is effective in identifying an immune response to pathogens.
- Researchers also utilized a spatial scan statistical analysis running on a Bernoulli model to identify potential space-time clusters for disease occurrence.
- Lastly, risk factors tied to IAV infections were scrutinized using multivariate analysis.
Findings of the Research
- The study found that 241 out of 464 horses or 51.9% of them had antibodies against the H3N8 IAV.
- Interestingly, no horses had developed antibodies against the H7N7 IAV, indicating that this strain may not have circulated in the region in recent years.
- Upon further examination of the horses’ ages, researchers noted significantly higher seropositivity rates against H3N8 IAV in geriatric and adult horses compared to younger ones.
- More detailed analysis showed specific antibodies against different strains of the H3N8 IAV in some horses, with the spatial analysis revealing a statistically significant cluster in the west part of Andalusia.
Implications of the Study
- The findings of this survey shows a widespread exposure to the H3N8 subtype IAV in Andalusia’s equine population.
- Significantly, it also suggested that the H7N7 IAV subtype has not circulated in the region in recent years.
- The researchers emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and additional molecular studies to actively monitor and characterize IAV strains circulating in Spanish equine species, due to possible significant health and economic implications of equine influenza.
Cite This Article
APA
Jurado-Tarifa E, Daly JM, Pérez-Écija A, Barba-Recreo M, Mendoza FJ, Al-Shuwaikh AM, García-Bocanegra I.
(2018).
Epidemiological survey of equine influenza in Andalusia, Spain.
Prev Vet Med, 151, 52-56.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.01.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain. Electronic address: alejandro.perez.ecija@uco.es.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK; Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain.
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK; Microbiology Department, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq.
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / physiology
- Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype / physiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Spain / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Olufemi OT, Edeh ER, Isyaku MS, Haliru M, Samaila S, Mshelia PW, Owolodun OA, Newton JR, Daly JM. Seroprevalence of Equine Influenza and Its Associated Risk Factors in Northwest Nigeria.. Pathogens 2022 Nov 17;11(11).
- Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas.. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
- Ahearne MM, Pentzke-Lemus LL, Romano AM, Larsen ED, Watson AM, O'Fallon EA, Landolt GA. Disease progression, pathologic, and virologic findings of an equine influenza outbreak in rescue donkeys.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Nov;36(6):2230-2237.
- Daly JM, Megid J, Langoni H, de Nardi Júnior G, Ribeiro MG. Retrospective serological survey for influenza in horses from Brazil.. Braz J Microbiol 2021 Mar;52(1):461-466.
- Blanco-Lobo P, Rodriguez L, Reedy S, Oladunni FS, Nogales A, Murcia PR, Chambers TM, Martinez-Sobrido L. A Bivalent Live-Attenuated Vaccine for the Prevention of Equine Influenza Virus.. Viruses 2019 Oct 11;11(10).
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