Prevalence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in horses in the Israel.

The research article discusses a study focused on determining the prevalence of antibodies to the microsporidium Encephalitozoon cuniculi in horses located in Israel; noting seropositivity in both asymptomatic and symptomatic horses and its potential implications for human health.

Understanding Encephalitozoon cuniculi

• Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an intracellular microsporidium, a type of pathogen, that can result in encephalitozoonosis, a serious disease in several animals and humans.
• This study has particular relevance as understanding the prevalence of antibodies to E. cuniculi in mammals like horses can provide insights into potential sources of encephalitozoonosis transmission to other animals and humans.

Diagnosis of Encephalitozoonosis

• The diagnosis of this disease relies on clinical signs, pathological findings, and the detection of E. cuniculi or antibodies within the body that are directed against the parasite.

Scope of the Study

• The scope of this study extended to horses admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and three different private horse-riding farms across Israel.
• Blood samples from a total of 102 horses were tested for E. cuniculi antibodies using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) test.

Results of the Study

• The study found that the prevalence of E. cuniculi antibodies was high in both symptomatic and asymptomatic horses.
• Among the test group of 72 asymptomatic horses, 60% were seropositive, meaning they had antibodies to E. cuniculi in their blood.
• In the test group of 30 symptomatic horses, 80% produced a positive result for the same antibodies.
• The study also found a significant titer, a concentration of antibodies, of 1:512 in 19% of seropositive asymptomatic horses and 68% of symptomatic horses.
• High antibody titers were typically associated with severe clinical signs such as colic and neurological issues in horses.

Implications and Conclusions

• The high prevalence of E. cuniculi antibodies in horses raises questions about potential public health risks, especially if horses serve as a source of transmission to humans.
• However, the study does not directly indicate if a high titer of these antibodies in horses translates to increased health risk for humans.