FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Inflammatory airway disease, nasal discharge and respiratory...
Equine veterinary journal2005; 37(3); 236-242; doi: 10.2746/0425164054530579

Inflammatory airway disease, nasal discharge and respiratory infections in young British racehorses.

Abstract: Respiratory disease is important in young Thoroughbred racehorses, but the variation in the rates of occurrence between different ages and training groups has not been characterised. Objective: To determine the rates of respiratory disease, particularly inflammatory airway disease (IAD), as well as evidence of infection, and their variation between age and group. Methods: Horses were examined monthly in 7 British flat training yards over a 3 year period. IAD was defined as increased mucus in the trachea with increased proportions of neutrophils in tracheal wash samples. Frequencies of disease outcomes were estimated from the data. Results: The prevalence of IAD was 13.8% and the incidence was 8.9 cases/100 horses/month. Rates varied with training and age groups, decreasing in older animals. The prevalence of nasal discharge (ND) was 4.1%. Rates of bacterial isolation were more common than viral infections. The incidence and prevalence of several bacterial species decreased with age. Conclusions: IAD and ND were common in young racehorses, varying significantly between training groups and decreasing with age, consistent with infection playing a role in aetiology. Conclusions: The high prevalence of IAD in 2-year-old horses in Britain suggests that routine endoscopic examination may be helpful in providing early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. The transmission of bacteria and viruses within and between groups of young animals and the role of infection, stable environment and factors inherent to each horse, including their genetic make-up, in the multifactorial aetiology of the disease all merit further study.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2005-05-17 PubMed ID: 15892233DOI: 10.2746/0425164054530579Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigated the rates and variations of respiratory diseases, primarily inflammatory airway disease (IAD), and infections in young British Thoroughbred racehorses across different ages and training groups. A higher prevalence of IAD in younger racehorses suggests routine checks for early diagnosis and therapy, with various factors like infections, stable environment, and genetic makeup considered for further research.

Research Objective and Method

  • The research aimed to determine the rates of respiratory diseases, especially Inflammatory airway disease (IAD), and signs of infection, focusing on the variations across different age and training groups.
  • The horses were examined monthly in 7 British flat training yards over a period of 3 years. IAD was recognized by increased mucus in the trachea and higher neutrophil levels in tracheal wash samples.
  • The frequencies of the outcomes were estimated using the gathered data.

Research Findings

  • The prevalence rate of IAD was 13.8%, with an incidence rate of 8.9 cases per 100 horses each month.
  • The disease rates showed variability, reducing in older horses and also differing across training groups.
  • The prevalence of Nasal Discharge (ND) stood at 4.1%.
  • The rates of bacterial isolation were found to be more common compared to viral infections.
  • Both the incidence and prevalence of several bacterial species were found to decrease with age.

Conclusions and Further Research

  • IAD and ND were common in young racehorses, with their prevalence varying across different training groups and reducing with age. This pattern suggests the role of infection in the origin of these conditions.
  • The high prevalence of IAD in 2-year-old horses in Britain underscores the importance of routine endoscopic examination for early diagnosis and suitable therapy.
  • Several aspects, such as the transmission of bacteria and viruses within and between young horse groups, the role of the stable environment in the horse’s health, and the genetic makeup of each horse, all contribute to the multifactorial origin of these diseases and therefore warrant further investigation.

Cite This Article

APA
Wood JL, Newton JR, Chanter N, Mumford JA. (2005). Inflammatory airway disease, nasal discharge and respiratory infections in young British racehorses. Equine Vet J, 37(3), 236-242. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164054530579

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 3
Pages: 236-242

Researcher Affiliations

Wood, J L N
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
Newton, J R
    Chanter, N
      Mumford, J A

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animals
        • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
        • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
        • Female
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / microbiology
        • Horse Diseases / virology
        • Horses
        • Incidence
        • Inflammation / epidemiology
        • Inflammation / microbiology
        • Inflammation / veterinary
        • Inflammation / virology
        • Male
        • Mucus / cytology
        • Mucus / metabolism
        • Neutrophils / cytology
        • Physical Conditioning, Animal
        • Prevalence
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / microbiology
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / virology
        • Risk Factors
        • Sports
        • Trachea / metabolism
        • United Kingdom / epidemiology
        • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
        • Virus Diseases / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 22 times.
        1. Akula S, Riihimäki M, Waern I, Åbrink M, Raine A, Hellman L, Wernersson S. Quantitative Transcriptome Analysis of Purified Equine Mast Cells Identifies a Dominant Mucosal Mast Cell Population with Possible Inflammatory Functions in Airways of Asthmatic Horses.. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Nov 12;23(22).
          doi: 10.3390/ijms232213976pubmed: 36430453google scholar: lookup
        2. Felici M, Nanni Costa L, Zappaterra M, Bozzo G, Di Pinto P, Minero M, Padalino B. Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 12;12(22).
          doi: 10.3390/ani12223122pubmed: 36428350google scholar: lookup
        3. Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Carvelli A, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Baldinelli F, Van der Stede Y. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infection with Equine Herpesvirus-1.. EFSA J 2022 Jan;20(1):e07036.
          doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7036pubmed: 35035581google scholar: lookup
        4. Karagianni AE, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Eaton SL, Wishart TM, Pirie RS. Training associated alterations in equine respiratory immunity using a multiomics comparative approach.. Sci Rep 2022 Jan 10;12(1):427.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-04137-3pubmed: 35013475google scholar: lookup
        5. Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Role of Thoracic Ultrasonography and Airway Endoscopy in the Diagnosis of Equine Asthma and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage.. Vet Sci 2021 Nov 15;8(11).
          doi: 10.3390/vetsci8110276pubmed: 34822649google scholar: lookup
        6. Karagianni AE, Eaton SL, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Twynam-Perkins J, Raper A, Wishart TM, Pirie RS. Application across species of a one health approach to liquid sample handling for respiratory based -omics analysis.. Sci Rep 2021 Jul 12;11(1):14292.
          doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93839-9pubmed: 34253818google scholar: lookup
        7. Kinnison T, Cardwell JM. Conflict Between Direct Experience and Research-Based Evidence Is a Key Challenge to Evidence-Based Respiratory Medicine on British Racing Yards.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:266.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00266pubmed: 32537459google scholar: lookup
        8. Brankston G, Greer AL, Marshall Q, Lang B, Moore K, Hodgins D, Hennessey JTG, Beeler-Marfisi J. Increased Weekly Mean PM(2.5), and NO(2) Are Associated With Increased Proportions of Lower Airway Granulocytes in Ontario Horses.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:185.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00185pubmed: 32432128google scholar: lookup
        9. Bond SL, Workentine M, Hundt J, Gilkerson JR, Léguillette R. Effects of nebulized dexamethasone on the respiratory microbiota and mycobiota and relative equine herpesvirus-1, 2, 4, 5 in an equine model of asthma.. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jan;34(1):307-321.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.15671pubmed: 31793692google scholar: lookup
        10. Husulak ML, Manning ST, Meachem MD, Burgess HJ, Epp TY, Montgomery JB. Does antimicrobial therapy improve outcomes in horses with severe equine asthma and a positive tracheal wash bacterial culture?. Can J Vet Res 2018 Jul;82(3):184-191.
          pubmed: 30026642
        11. Björnsdóttir S, Harris SR, Svansson V, Gunnarsson E, Sigurðardóttir ÓG, Gammeljord K, Steward KF, Newton JR, Robinson C, Charbonneau ARL, Parkhill J, Holden MTG, Waller AS. Genomic Dissection of an Icelandic Epidemic of Respiratory Disease in Horses and Associated Zoonotic Cases.. mBio 2017 Aug 1;8(4).
          doi: 10.1128/mBio.00826-17pubmed: 28765219google scholar: lookup
        12. da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonçalves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB. Association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and inflammatory airway disease in polo ponies.. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):55-59.
          doi: 10.1294/jes.28.55pubmed: 28721124google scholar: lookup
        13. Doubli-Bounoua N, Richard EA, Léon A, Pitel PH, Pronost S, Fortier G. Multiple molecular detection of respiratory viruses and associated signs of airway inflammation in racehorses.. Virol J 2016 Nov 29;13(1):197.
          doi: 10.1186/s12985-016-0657-5pubmed: 27899161google scholar: lookup
        14. Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.13824pubmed: 26806374google scholar: lookup
        15. Toombs-Ruane LJ, Riley CB, Kendall AT, Bolwell CF, Benschop J, Rosanowski SM. Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Aerobic Isolates from Respiratory Samples of Young New Zealand Horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1700-6.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.13600pubmed: 26289293google scholar: lookup
        16. Frellstedt L, Gosset P, Kervoaze G, Hans A, Desmet C, Pirottin D, Bureau F, Lekeux P, Art T. The innate immune response of equine bronchial epithelial cells is altered by training.. Vet Res 2015 Jan 17;46(1):3.
          doi: 10.1186/s13567-014-0126-3pubmed: 25595212google scholar: lookup
        17. Nogradi N, Couetil LL, Messick J, Stochelski MA, Burgess JR. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation provides an additional benefit to a low-dust diet in the management of horses with chronic lower airway inflammatory disease.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Jan;29(1):299-306.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.12488pubmed: 25307169google scholar: lookup
        18. Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Zimmerman NJ. Investigating the link between particulate exposure and airway inflammation in the horse.. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Nov-Dec;28(6):1653-65.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.12458pubmed: 25273818google scholar: lookup
        19. Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Moore GE, Zimmerman NJ, Raskin RE. Environmental exposures and airway inflammation in young thoroughbred horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2014 May-Jun;28(3):918-24.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.12333pubmed: 24773603google scholar: lookup
        20. Karagianni AE, Kapetanovic R, McGorum BC, Hume DA, Pirie SR. The equine alveolar macrophage: functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages.. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2013 Oct 1;155(4):219-28.
          doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.07.003pubmed: 23978307google scholar: lookup
        21. Baguelin M, Newton JR, Demiris N, Daly J, Mumford JA, Wood JL. Control of equine influenza: scenario testing using a realistic metapopulation model of spread.. J R Soc Interface 2010 Jan 6;7(42):67-79.
          doi: 10.1098/rsif.2009.0030pubmed: 19364721google scholar: lookup
        22. Wood JL, Newton JR, Chanter N, Mumford JA. Association between respiratory disease and bacterial and viral infections in British racehorses.. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jan;43(1):120-6.
          doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.1.120-126.2005pubmed: 15634959google scholar: lookup
        Subscribe to our newsletter
        Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.