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Veterinary sciences2023; 10(7); doi: 10.3390/vetsci10070442

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Horses: A Narrative Review.

Abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are increasing in human and veterinary medicine. Although horses were initially thought to be resistant to NTM infection, reports of horses suffering from gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive diseases associated with NTM have increased in the last few decades. The aim of this literature review is to summarize the mycobacteria species found in horses, describe clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment approaches, and public health concerns of NTM infection in horses. Clinical manifestations of NTM in horses include pulmonary disease, lymphadenitis, soft tissue, bone infections, and disseminated disease. NTM are also linked to granulomatous enteritis, placentitis, and abortions. Currently, diagnostic methods for NTM are limited and include acid-fast microscopy, bacterial cultures, species-specific PCR assays, and gene sequencing. In humans, NTM treatment guidelines are available, but their application appears inadequate and inconsistent. In horses, treatment guidelines for NTM infections are not available. NTM are a serious public health threat as 70% of people with untreated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have a chronic pulmonary disease caused by NTM. Thus, it is essential that we gain a better understanding of NTM infections in horses and their zoonotic potential.
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Publication Date: 2023-07-06 PubMed ID: 37505847PubMed Central: PMC10384023DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10070442Google 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.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in horses are on the rise, with cases reported in various systems like the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems. This literature review examines the species of mycobacteria found in horses, their clinical manifestations, and the diagnostic and treatment approaches, along with the public health implications of NTM in horses.

Mycobacteria Species in Horses

  • This section of the review aims to summarize the different species of mycobacteria that have been found in horses. Though initially thought to be resistant, horses have shown an increase in NTM infections over recent decades.

Clinical Manifestations

  • NTM infections in horses can lead to various conditions including pulmonary disease, lymphadenitis, soft tissue and bone infections, and disseminated disease.
  • They are also associated with granulomatous enteritis, placentitis, and abortions in horses.

Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches

  • Current diagnostic methods for NTM in horses are limited and include techniques like acid-fast microscopy, bacterial cultures, species-specific PCR assays, and gene sequencing.
  • While treatment guidelines for NTM infections exist in humans, they are often considered inadequate and inconsistent.
  • In horses, specific treatment guidelines for NTM infections are not available, highlighting a gap in the current understanding and management of these infections.

Public Health Concerns

  • NTM poses a significant public health threat, especially as 70% of individuals with untreated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) suffer from chronic pulmonary disease caused by NTM.
  • The review emphasizes the need to better understand NTM infections in horses, considering their zoonotic potential, and to develop effective treatment and control measures to mitigate the risks to both equine and human health.

Cite This Article

APA
Li L, Maboni G, Lack A, Gomez DE. (2023). Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Horses: A Narrative Review. Vet Sci, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10070442

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Li, Lynna
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Maboni, Grazieli
  • Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Lack, Amy
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
Gomez, Diego E
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nowicka B, Łopuszyński W, Krajewska-Wędzina M, Biazik A, Sobuś M, Polkowska I, Szacawa E. Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses with granulomatous enterocolitis - first report in Poland. J Vet Res 2025 Dec;69(4):545-552.
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