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Home / Equine Research Bank / Transbound Emerg Dis / Equine Infectious Anaemia: The Active Surveillance of an Ent...
Transboundary and emerging diseases2024; 2024; 3439871; doi: 10.1155/2024/3439871

Equine Infectious Anaemia: The Active Surveillance of an Entire Equid Population Reduces the Occurrence of the Infection.

Abstract: Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a life-long viral infection affecting equids, transmitted mechanically by biting flies and iatrogenic means. Despite its global distribution, active surveillance is limited, with passive clinical surveillance or control of specific equine sectors prevailing. In Italy, a national surveillance plan in horse, donkey, and mule populations has been established and includes mandatory passive and active surveillance through annual serological tests. During 2007-2010, the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test served as both screening and confirmatory tests. Since 2011, a three-tier diagnostic pathway was introduced, utilizing the ELISA test for screening, AGID as the confirmatory test, and the immunoblot test for cases where ELISA was positive and AGID was negative. From a total equid population of 406,000 animals, 1,337,899 samples were analysed during 2007-2012, with 2,348 (0.18%) testing positive. EIA seroprevalence significantly decreased across all the species/hybrids during the study period. EIA occurrence was higher in mules (IRR = 48.90) and lower in donkeys (IRR = 0.56) compared to horses. The holding seroprevalence was 1.15%. Spatial analysis revealed clusters of infection in central Italy. These findings demonstrate that active systematic surveillance effectively reduces EIA prevalence in equid populations. Mules and working horses in wooded areas appeared to be at higher risk of infection and act as EIA reservoirs. Surveillance and control should be maintained and strengthened in these species/hybrids and in these areas to effectively control EIA. Passive surveillance alone is insufficient to eradicate the disease, and EIA remains a constant threat for the equine industry if active control is not implemented.
Copyright © 2024 Andrea Carvelli et al.
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Publication Date: 2024-04-30 PubMed ID: 40303092PubMed Central: PMC12016679DOI: 10.1155/2024/3439871Google 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 study reports on the effectiveness of an active surveillance program in Italy for equine infectious anaemia (EIA), a viral disease affecting horse-like animals. From 2007 to 2012, regular checks revealed a significant decrease in EIA prevalence, proving that systematic active surveillance works to control the disease better than passive methods.

Study Overview

  • The research focused on the understanding of EIA, a viral infection that affects equids (horses, donkeys, mules) with global distribution.
  • Existing surveillance methods were predominantly passive and sector-specific. In contrast, Italy has implemented a nationwide mandatory surveillance program including active and passive strategies.

Methodology

  • Between 2007 and 2010, the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test was used for both screening and confirming the infection.
  • From 2011, a three-tier diagnostic approach was adopted, involving the ELISA test for screening, AGID for confirmation and the immunoblot test for cases where ELISA results were positive but AGID results were negative.
  • More than 1,337,899 samples were analysed from a total equid population of 406,000 animals during the period of 2007-2012.

Results

  • Out of the total samples, 2,348 (0.18%) returned positive for EIA.
  • On comparing across all species or hybrids, a significant decrease in EIA prevalence was observed over the study period.
  • EIA occurrence turned out to be higher in mules and lower in donkeys as compared to horses. The seroprevalence among holdings (locations harboring equids) was 1.15%.
  • Spatial analysis showed a clustering of infections in central Italy.

Conclusion

  • The significant decrease in EIA prevalence proves the effectiveness of systematic active surveillance, thereby advocating for its broader implementation and strengthening.
  • Mules and working horses in wooded areas were identified as higher risk populations acting as reservoirs of EIA, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance in these groups.
  • The results also underscore the limitation of passive surveillance measures in eradicating EIA and emphasize the importance of active surveillance strategies in managing the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Carvelli A, Nardini R, Carnio A, Ricci I, Rosone F, Sala M, Simeoni S, Maccarone D, Scicluna MT. (2024). Equine Infectious Anaemia: The Active Surveillance of an Entire Equid Population Reduces the Occurrence of the Infection. Transbound Emerg Dis, 2024, 3439871. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3439871

Publication

Transboundary and emerging diseases
ISSN: 1865-1682
NlmUniqueID: 101319538
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 2024
Pages: 3439871
PII: 3439871

Researcher Affiliations

Carvelli, Andrea
  • Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Nardini, Roberto
  • WOAH Reference Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Italian Reference Centre for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Carnio, Azzurra
  • Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Ricci, Ida
  • WOAH Reference Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Italian Reference Centre for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Rosone, Francesca
  • WOAH Reference Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Italian Reference Centre for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Sala, Marcello
  • Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Simeoni, Sara
  • Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Maccarone, Daniela
  • WOAH Reference Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Italian Reference Centre for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.
Scicluna, Maria Teresa
  • WOAH Reference Laboratory for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Italian Reference Centre for Equine Infectious Anaemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, M. Aleandri, via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178, Rome, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / epidemiology
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / prevention & control
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / virology
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Equidae
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Horses
  • Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine / isolation & purification
  • Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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