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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Diagn Invest / Infectious disease surveillance of apparently healthy horses...
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2020; 33(1); 80-86; doi: 10.1177/1040638720972096

Infectious disease surveillance of apparently healthy horses at a multi-day show using a novel nanoscale real-time PCR panel.

Abstract: In the United States, horses are used for a variety of purposes including recreation, exhibition, and racing. As farm, performance, and companion animals, horses are a unique species from a zoonotic disease risk perspective, and the risks of subclinical infections spreading among horses can pose challenges. Using a nanoscale real-time PCR platform, we investigated the prevalence of 14 enteric pathogens, 11 genes, and 9 respiratory pathogens in fecal samples from 97 apparently healthy horses at a multi-day horse event. In addition, sugar flotation test was performed for fecal parasites. was commonly detected, prevalent in 59% of horses, followed closely by subsp. (55%). Additional pathogens recognized included betacoronavirus, sp., O157, equine adenovirus 1, equine rhinitis B virus, and others. The use of PCR data may overestimate the true prevalence of these pathogens but provides a sensitive overview of common pathogens present in healthy horses. Our results prompt the continued need for practical biosecurity measures at horse shows, both to protect individuals interacting with these horses and to minimize transmission among horses.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-12 PubMed ID: 33179576PubMed Central: PMC7758683DOI: 10.1177/1040638720972096Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article analyzes the prevalence of various infectious diseases in apparently healthy horses in the United States, identified through the use of nanoscale real-time PCR platform. The study underscores the necessity of robust biosecurity measures at horse shows to curb potential zoonotic transmissions and reduce intraspecies spread.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used a nanoscale real-time PCR platform. This cutting-edge technology is known for its precision, sensitivity, and efficiency in detecting and quantifying target DNA sequences, making it exceptionally adept in identifying the presence of pathogens.
  • The study was conducted on fecal samples from 97 seemingly healthy horses participating in a multi-day horse event. Drawing samples from horses under the same conditions during the same event minimizes confounding variables, making the results more reliable.
  • A total of 14 enteric (intestinal) pathogens and 9 respiratory pathogens were tested for in these samples, establishing a broad screening range. In addition, a total of 11 genes were also examined.
  • A sugar flotation test was also performed on the collected samples, a commonly employed method used to detect parasites in fecal matter.

Findings

  • The study revealed that infections in horses were common, even if the animals exhibited no visible symptoms. This is consistent with the recognized principle that pathogens can reside in hosts without causing visible illness.
  • The most prevalent infection was Ehrlichia, found in 59% of the horses, followed closely by Salmonella subsp. at 55%. These pathogens are known to cause diseases in animals and, in some situations, can be transmitted to humans.
  • Additional pathogens recognized included betacoronavirus, Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli O157, equine adenovirus 1, equine rhinitis B virus, among others. The presence of these pathogens also pose a significant risk to animal and human health.
  • The results highlight that PCR may overestimate the actual prevalence of these pathogens, given its high sensitivity. However, it can provide an extensive overview of potential pathogens present in healthy horses.

Implications

  • The research brings to focus the continued necessity for implementing and enhancing practical biosecurity measures at horse events. These measures aim to protect individuals interacting with these horses from zoonotic diseases, and to minimize transmission among horses.
  • Further research is necessary to better understand the potential impacts of these diseases on horse health, performance, and disease transmission scenarios to humans and other horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Stout AE, Hofmar-Glennon HG, André NM, Goodman LB, Anderson RR, Mitchell PK, Thompson BS, Lejeune M, Whittaker GR, Goodrich EL. (2020). Infectious disease surveillance of apparently healthy horses at a multi-day show using a novel nanoscale real-time PCR panel. J Vet Diagn Invest, 33(1), 80-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638720972096

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1943-4936
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 1
Pages: 80-86

Researcher Affiliations

Stout, Alison E
  • Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Hofmar-Glennon, Hayley G
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, and Master of Public Health Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
André, Nicole M
  • Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Goodman, Laura B
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Anderson, Renee R
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Mitchell, Patrick K
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Thompson, Belinda S
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Lejeune, Manigandan
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Whittaker, Gary R
  • Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, and Master of Public Health Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Goodrich, Erin L
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
  • Cryptosporidium / genetics
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Population Surveillance
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • T32 OD011000 / NIH HHS
  • U18 FD005144 / FDA HHS
  • U18 FD006716 / FDA HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Citations

This article has been cited 11 times.
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