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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Clin Microbiol / Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario s...
Journal of clinical microbiology1977; 5(3); 285-289; doi: 10.1128/jcm.5.3.285-289.1977

Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario standardbred racetracks.

Abstract: Upper respiratory disease has been a serious problem in Standardbred horses on racetracks in Ontario, with outbreaks occurring once or twice annually in late winter and early spring seasons. To determine the causes of these epidemics, a 3-year investigation was carried out in which nasal swabs and serum samples were obtained at intervals from apparently healthy horses and from horses suffering from upper respiratory disease. The nasal swabs were used to isolate bacteria and viruses. The serum samples were examined for the presence and level of antibodies to equine influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1. None of the bacteria isolated were associated with the outbreaks of disease. Equine herpesvirus 2 was isolated 72 times from both diseased and apparently healthy horses. Equine herpesvirus 1 was isolated 10 times from horses with respiratory disease, both during and between epidemics. Influenza equine/1 virus was isolated seven times and influenza equine/2 was isolated once during severe outbreaks of upper respiratory disease. Serological evidence confirmed that influenza viruses were the causes of the major epidemics, with the equine/1 strain being involved most often.
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Publication Date: 1977-03-01 PubMed ID: 192757PubMed Central: PMC274583DOI: 10.1128/jcm.5.3.285-289.1977Google 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.

The research investigates the causes of upper respiratory disease in Standardbred horses on Ontario racetracks. Nasal swabs and serum samples were collected and tested to identify the presence of potential bacterial or viral pathogens, with influenza viruses found to be the primary cause of outbreaks.

Research Methods

  • The researchers conducted a three-year investigation in which they consistently took nasal swabs and serum samples from the horses. These samples were taken from visibly healthy horses and from horses showing symptoms of upper respiratory disease.
  • The collected nasal swabs were examined to identify and isolate potential bacteria and viruses. The collected serum samples were also analyzed for the presence and amount of antibodies towards equine influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1.

Findings

  • Despite their efforts to isolate any potentially harmful bacteria, researchers claimed that none of the isolated bacteria were connected to the outbreaks of upper respiratory disease.
  • Surprisingly, equine herpesvirus 2 was found to be present in both healthy and diseased horses. In total, this virus was isolated 72 times throughout their investigation. Equine herpesvirus 1 was also found, but only in horses showing respiratory ailments with a total of 10 isolations.
  • Equine influenza virus was identified in the samples and seemed to be linked to severe outbreaks of the upper respiratory disease. In their investigation, they isolated influenza equine/1 virus seven times, and influenza equine/2 virus once.
  • From the serological testing on the serum samples, it was finally confirmed that the main causative agents of the major respiratory disease outbreaks were indeed influenza viruses. Among them, the strain influenza equine/1 was mostly involved.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that the primary causes of the upper respiratory disease outbreaks among Standardbred horses on Ontario racetracks were the equine influenza viruses, not bacterial infections or other tested viruses.
  • This finding is crucial because it guides future disease control measures among these racehorses. By identifying the main cause of the epidemics, the appropriate vaccinations can be administered and biosecurity measures can be focused on preventing influenza virus transmission.

Cite This Article

APA
Sherman J, Thorsen J, Barnum DA, Mitchell WR, Ingram DG. (1977). Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario standardbred racetracks. J Clin Microbiol, 5(3), 285-289. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.5.3.285-289.1977

Publication

Journal of clinical microbiology
ISSN: 0095-1137
NlmUniqueID: 7505564
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Pages: 285-289

Researcher Affiliations

Sherman, J
    Thorsen, J
      Barnum, D A
        Mitchell, W R
          Ingram, D G

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
            • Bacteria / isolation & purification
            • Canada
            • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
            • Herpesviridae / immunology
            • Herpesviridae / isolation & purification
            • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / immunology
            • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
            • Horse Diseases / etiology
            • Horse Diseases / immunology
            • Horses
            • Influenza A virus / immunology
            • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
            • Nasal Mucosa / microbiology
            • Respiratory Tract Infections / etiology
            • Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
            • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary

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            This article includes 9 references
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