Equine intestinal clostridiosis in a group of polo ponies in Dubai, U.A.E.

The study focuses on a rapid fatal outbreak of C. perfringens Type C enterotoxemia in polo ponies which was likely instigated by consumption of moldy hay. Unusually, the affected horses displayed acute toxic tubulonephrosis and long-term elevated levels of certain enzymes.

Outbreak Circumstances and Initial Findings

• An acute outbreak of a severe equine intestinal condition, C. perfringens Type C enterotoxemia, occurred, resulting in the death of eight polo ponies within a period of fewer than 24 hours at a polo club in Dubai, U.A.E.
• This rapid and deadly outbreak was triggered, the researchers suspect, by the polo ponies’ ingestion of hay that was heavily contaminated with Aspergillus and Fusarium species fungi.

Comparisons to Previous Cases

• The researchers noted that their case showed numerous similarities with previous cases of Equine Intestinal Clostridiosis (EIC), indicating consistency with the understanding of the disease.
• EIC is a disease caused by bacteria in the genus Clostridium, and C. perfringens Type C is one of the types that can cause this disease in horses. It often strikes swiftly and can be fatal, as evidenced by the tragic loss of the polo ponies in this case.

Unusual Observations

• The study reports two unique observations in the affected horses. Firstly, the horses that were necropsied (an autopsy for animals) exhibited acute toxic tubulonephrosis, an uncommon and severe kidney condition likely resulting from the toxins produced by C. perfringens.
• The second atypical observation concerned the surviving horses from the polo club. These animals experienced a longstanding elevation of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma GT) levels.
• The elevated levels of these enzymes suggest fatigue or possible damage to the liver and other tissues. This could imply long-term adverse health effects even in animals that survived the initial outbreak.