Factors associated with likelihood of horses having a high serum Streptococcus equi SeM-specific antibody titer.
Abstract: To identify factors associated with an increased likelihood that horses would have a serum Streptococcus equi SeM-specific antibody titer > or = 1:1,600. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 188 healthy client-owned horses. Methods: A single serum sample from each horse was tested for SeM-specific antibody titer with an ELISA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with having a titer > or = 1:1,600. Results: Age, breed, and vaccination status were significantly associated with the likelihood of having a titer > or = 1:1,600. The odds of having a titer > or = 1:1,600 increased by a factor of 1.07 with each 1-year increase in age. Quarter Horses and horses of other breeds were 4.08 times as likely as were Thoroughbreds and warmbloods to have a titer this high. Horses that had previously received an intranasal S equi vaccine were 4.7 times as likely as were horses without any history of vaccination to have a titer this high. Conclusions: Results indicated that older horses, horses other than Thoroughbreds and warmbloods, and horses that had been vaccinated with an attenuated-live intranasal S equi vaccine between 1 and 3 years previously had an increased likelihood of having a serum SeM-specific antibody titer > or = 1:1,600.
Publication Date: 2009-10-16 PubMed ID: 19827984DOI: 10.2460/javma.235.8.973Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research is about indentifying the factors that increase the chance of horses having a SeM-specific antibody titer, linked to Streptococcus equi, equal to or greater than 1:1,600. The factors that emerged as significant are age, breed, and previous vaccination.
Research Methodology
- The researchers adopted a cross-sectional study design.
- The sample consisted of 188 healthy horses owned by clients.
- From each horse, a single serum sample was collected and tested for SeM-specific antibody titer using an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). ELISA is a plate-based assay technique designed for detecting and quantifying substances such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, and hormones.
- They then employed multivariate logistic regression to identify correlations between various factors and the likelihood of a horse having a SeM-specific antibody titer of > or = 1:1,600.
Findings
- The age of the horse was positively related to the odds of having a high titer. Specifically, with each 1-year increase in a horse’s age, the chances of having a high titer increased by a factor of 1.07.
- The breed of the horse also strongly influenced the likelihood of a high titer. Quarter Horses and horses of other breeds were around four times as likely to have a high titer as were Thoroughbreds and warmbloods.
- Vaccination status played a crucial role as well. Horses that had previously received an intranasal S equi vaccine were about 4.7 times as likely to have a high titer as those without any history of vaccination.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that older horses, horses that are not Thoroughbreds or warmbloods, and horses vaccinated with an attenuated-live intranasal S equi vaccine between 1 and 3 years previously, have an increased chance of having a serum SeM-specific antibody titer > or = 1:1,600.
This study provides useful insights into the factors that can influence the likelihood of having a high titer in horses. It can be particularly useful for horse owners, veterinarians, and horse breeders as they monitor the health of their horses and make decisions about vaccination strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Boyle AG, Sweeney CR, Kristula M, Boston R, Smith G.
(2009).
Factors associated with likelihood of horses having a high serum Streptococcus equi SeM-specific antibody titer.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 235(8), 973-977.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.235.8.973 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. boylea@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Antibody Specificity
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Risk Factors
- Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
- Streptococcal Infections / prevention & control
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcal Vaccines / immunology
- Streptococcus equi / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Frosth S, Morris ERA, Wilson H, Frykberg L, Jacobsson K, Parkhill J, Flock JI, Wood T, Guss B, Aanensen DM, Boyle AG, Riihimäki M, Cohen ND, Waller AS. Conservation of vaccine antigen sequences encoded by sequenced strains of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Equine Vet J 2023 Jan;55(1):92-101.
- Delph KM, Beard LA, Trimble AC, Sutter ME, Timoney JF, Morrow JK. Strangles, convalescent Streptococcus equi subspecies equi M antibody titers, and presence of complications. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jan;33(1):275-279.
- Boyle AG, Timoney JF, Newton JR, Hines MT, Waller AS, Buchanan BR. Streptococcus equi Infections in Horses: Guidelines for Treatment, Control, and Prevention of Strangles-Revised Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Mar;32(2):633-647.
- Zu H, Sun R, Li J, Guo X, Wang M, Guo W, Wang X. Integrated CRISPR-Cas12a and RAA one-pot visual strategy for the rapid identification of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2025;15:1526516.
- Abdul-Latif SAK, Yousif AA. Molecular study of Streptococcus equi isolated from horses with strangles in Iraq. Open Vet J 2025 Feb;15(2):731-737.
- Durward-Akhurst SA, Valberg SJ. Myosin Heavy Chain Myopathy and Immune-Mediated Muscle Disorders. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2025 Apr;41(1):61-75.
- Moghaddam S, Lotfollahzadeh S, Salehi TZ, Hassanpour A, Manesh HT, Tamai IA. Molecular and sequencing study and identification of novel SeM-type in beta-hemolytic streptococci involving the upper respiratory tract in Iran. BMC Vet Res 2023 Oct 17;19(1):210.
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