Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway disease.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research article explores how fungi present in the respiratory systems of horses could be linked to a condition known as Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD). The researchers found that the chances of having IAD were higher in horses that were bedded on straw or fed dry hay, further suggesting that the type of horse’s diet and bedding are significant risk factors for this disease and fungal contamination.
Study Objectives and Methods
The research team aimed to ascertain the prevalence of fungi in horses diagnosed with Inflammatory Airway Disease and to identify the associated symptoms and underlying risk factors. To achieve these objectives, a study was designed involving 731 horses showing signs of respiratory distress or poor performance. The research collected clinical data, evaluated the horses’ living conditions, assessed the results of a tracheal wash (TW; this included cytology, fungal culture, and bacterial culture), and administered a bronchoalveolar lavage (a procedure to examine the bronchi and bronchioles).
- The TW cytology was performed to identify the presence of fungi, bacteria, or other microorganisms present in the horse’s respiratory system.
- The bronchoalveolar lavage helped to evaluate lung health and identify whether the horse had developed any condition like IAD.
Research Findings
The research findings were notable: a positive fungal culture was observed in 55% of the horses. Horses with fungal elements visible in the tracheal wash cytology were twice as likely to be diagnosed with IAD than those without the presence of fungi.
The factors, like bedding and feeding practices, were also analyzed. Notably, horses bedded on straw or fed with dry hay were at a greater risk of being diagnosed with IAD and displaying fungi presence in their TW. The odds ratio (a statistical measurement that compares the likelihood of an event happening in one group to its likelihood in another group) was significantly higher in these cases.
Conclusion and Implications
The study concluded that horses inhaling aerosolized fungal particles are at a substantially higher risk of developing IAD. Therefore, the type of bedding and forage represent significant risk factors for this disease and fungal contamination in horses’ respiratory systems.
- This study’s findings may significantly contribute to understanding and preventing IAD’s occurrence in horses, improving their general health and performance.
- Horse keepers and veterinarians should consider these risk factors and findings while deciding the ideal living conditions and feeding practices for horses to minimize the risk of IAD and fungal contamination.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
- Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
- Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Bacteria / isolation & purification
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Diet / veterinary
- Europe
- Female
- Fungi / isolation & purification
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Inflammation / microbiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Male
- Prospective Studies
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / microbiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Trachea / microbiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
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