Journal of veterinary internal medicine2018; 33(2); 968-975; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15397

Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway disease.

Abstract: Fungi contribute to the inflammatory response of lungs in horses with recurrent airway obstruction and in some forms of asthma in humans. The role of fungi in inflammatory airway disease (IAD) has not been assessed. Objective: Evaluate the prevalence of fungi in the respiratory samples of horses diagnosed with IAD, describe clinical signs associated with the presence of fungi in respiratory samples, and assess the risk factors associated with IAD and with the presence of fungi in the airways. Methods: Seven-hundred thirty-one active horses referred to a specialized ambulatory practice for signs of respiratory disease or poor performance. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed, collecting clinical data, environmental conditions, and results of a tracheal wash (TW; cytology, fungal culture, and bacterial culture), and bronchoalveolar lavage (cytology). Results: A positive fungal culture was obtained in 55% (402/731) of horses. Horses with fungal elements observed on the TW cytology had 2 times greater chance of having IAD than horses without fungi (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% CI 1.08-3.33; P = .0003). Risks of being diagnosed with IAD and likelihood of fungi in TW were higher when horses were bedded on straw (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.2 and OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.3-2.6, respectively) or fed dry hay (OR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.7-4.4 and OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.6-3.4, respectively). Conclusions: Horses inhaling aerosolized fungal particles are at a significantly higher risk of developing IAD. The type of bedding and forage represent significant risk factors for IAD and fungal contamination of equine airways.
Publication Date: 2018-12-21 PubMed ID: 30576012PubMed Central: PMC6430897DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15397Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 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

APA
Dauvillier J, Ter Woort F, van Erck-Westergren E. (2018). Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway disease. J Vet Intern Med, 33(2), 968-975. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15397

Publication

ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 968-975

Researcher Affiliations

Dauvillier, Julie
  • Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
Ter Woort, Fe
  • Equine Sports Medicine Practice, Waterloo, Belgium.
van Erck-Westergren, Emmanuelle
  • 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

Authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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