Prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings in Southern Germany and Austria.

The research study focuses on the prevalence of a bacterium, Taylorella equigenitalis, which causes Contagious Equine Metritis in Icelandic mares and geldings found in Southern Germany and Austria. The study found a higher prevalence of the infection in Icelandic geldings as compared to mares.

Objective of the Study

• The study was conducted to primarily determine the prevalence of the infectious bacterium, Taylorella equigenitalis, in Icelandic mares and geldings, which are horses that have been neutered (castrated).
• Additionally, the study aimed to establish any associated factors that might increase the chances of a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) result.

Methodology

• A total of 361 Icelandic horses in Southern Germany and Austria were tested for the presence of T. equigenitalis using a qPCR assay, a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule.

Findings of the Study

• The study found an overall prevalence of T. equigenitalis in the population of horses to be 14.4%.
• Specific findings indicate that the bacterium was found in 2.2% of breeding mares, 9.0% of maiden mares (female horses that have never been used for breeding), and 36.2% of geldings.
• The results showed that when compared to geldings, both brood and maiden mares had significantly lower chances of testing positive for T. equigenitalis.
• The age of the horse did not show any significant correlation with higher odds of a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result.
• Horses in the younger age group showed significantly lower C values (cycle threshold values – used in qPCR to quantify the amount of target DNA) as compared to horses in the older age group.
• Geldings showed significantly lower C values than both types of mares.

Conclusion

• The study concluded by highlighting that there is a significantly higher prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic geldings compared to Icelandic mares.
• It is suggested that Icelandic geldings could potentially serve as a reservoir for the transmission and spread of T. equigenitalis, which is a cause of international concern to the horse breeding industry due to its contagious nature.