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Medical and veterinary entomology2019; 34(1); 120-122; doi: 10.1111/mve.12394

Molecular detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in face flies (Musca autumnalis) collected during a strangles outbreak on a Thoroughbred farm.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to detect Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) (Lactobacillales: Streptococcaceae) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in flies collected from a farm with a documented outbreak of strangles. A total of 1856 face flies [Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae)] were collected using conventional fly traps. The flies were processed for nucleic acid purification and tested for the presence of S. equi by qPCR. A total of 10/1856 flies (0.54%) tested qPCR-positive for S. equi. The results may implicate the presence of face flies as a risk factor for the transmission of S. equi and highlight the need to institute proper husbandry measures, biosecurity protocols and fly control in order to reduce the potential for infection in at-risk horses.
© 2019 The Royal Entomological Society.
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Publication Date: 2019-07-07 PubMed ID: 31280485DOI: 10.1111/mve.12394Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 research study was conducted to identify the presence of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (a bacterial pathogen) in face flies from a farm during an outbreak of strangles (a respiratory disease) using a detection method called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Objective and Methodology

  • The study’s goal was to detect Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (bacterium causing strangles in horses) in face flies collected from a farm experiencing a strangles outbreak.
  • This detection was performed using a laboratory technique called qPCR which provides a method to measure the amount of a specific DNA sequence in a sample (in this case, the DNA of S. equi).
  • A total of 1856 face flies were collected from the farm using standard fly traps.
  • The flies were later processed for nucleic acid purification, a technique used to isolate and purify DNA, in this case, to identify the presence of S. equi DNA.

Results and Implications

  • Out of the collected 1856 flies, 10 flies (about 0.54%) tested positive for S. equi using the qPCR method.
  • This result suggests that face flies could potentially transmit S. equi in the equine population.
  • Face flies, therefore, could be considered a risk factor for the transmission of S. equi on the farm.
  • The significance of this research highlights the need for preventive measures like biosecurity protocols, proper animal husbandry practices, and effective fly control to reduce the risk of strangles infection in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Pusterla N, Bowers J, Barnum S, Hall JA. (2019). Molecular detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in face flies (Musca autumnalis) collected during a strangles outbreak on a Thoroughbred farm. Med Vet Entomol, 34(1), 120-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12394

Publication

Medical and veterinary entomology
ISSN: 1365-2915
NlmUniqueID: 8708682
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 120-122

Researcher Affiliations

Pusterla, N
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A.
Bowers, J
  • Harris Farms Horse Division, Coalinga, CA, U.S.A.
Barnum, S
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A.
Hall, J A
  • Zoetis, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, U.S.A.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • California / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses
  • Muscidae / microbiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / transmission
  • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification

References

This article includes 16 references
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  14. Pusterla N, Kass PH, Mapes S. Surveillance programme for important equine infectious respiratory pathogens in the U.S.A.. Veterinary Record 169, 12.
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  16. Sweeney CR, Timoney JF, Newton JR, Hines MT, Waller AS, Buchanan BR. Streptococcus equi infections in horses: guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention of strangles. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 19, 123-134.

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Frisch V, Fuehrer HP, Cavalleri JV. Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023 Apr 6;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens12040568pubmed: 37111454google scholar: lookup
  2. Bertelloni F, Bresciani F, Cagnoli G, Scotti B, Lazzerini L, Marcucci M, Colombani G, Bilei S, Bossù T, De Marchis ML, Ebani VV. House Flies (Musca domestica) from Swine and Poultry Farms Carrying Antimicrobial Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Salmonella. Vet Sci 2023 Feb 4;10(2).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10020118pubmed: 36851422google scholar: lookup
  3. Zu H, Sun R, Li J, Guo X, Wang M, Guo W, Wang X. Development of a Real-Time Recombinase-Aided Amplification Method for the Rapid Detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. Microorganisms 2024 Apr 11;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12040777pubmed: 38674721google scholar: lookup
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