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Equine veterinary journal2018; 50(6); 793-799; doi: 10.1111/evj.12834

Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia.

Abstract: Pathogens are frequently implicated in equine respiratory disease. In Ethiopia, respiratory disease is a frequent cause for presentation at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for users of working horses. However, there is little existing literature on possible aetiologies. Objective: Determine prevalence of respiratory signs and exposure to major respiratory pathogens through a serological survey. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: Systematically selected horses from 19 sites in central Ethiopia were examined clinically and sampled once (August-December 2013). A face-to-face interview collected data on horses' management and history. Serological testing targeted equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesviruses-1 (EHV-1) and -4 (EHV-4), equine rhinitis viruses A (ERAV) and B (ERBV), equine arteritis virus (EAV) and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). Results: Owners reported a recent history of coughing in 38% of horses and nasal discharge in 7%. No animals were observed coughing during examination but 6% had a nasal discharge. Antibodies towards S. equi, were most prevalent (8%, 33/350). Antibodies to EAV were confirmed in one animal (0.3%). Low antibody titres to EHV-1/4 and ERA/BV suggested prior exposure but antibodies to EIV were not detected. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression analysis for risk factors associated with S. equi serostatus showed higher odds of seropositivity in younger animals and those working less frequently. Conclusions: A single serological sample cannot describe dynamic changes in antibodies. Sampling horses at the place of work may result in healthy-worker bias. Conclusions: S. equi may be endemic in this population and contributing, in part, to the occurrence of respiratory disease. Low prevalence of antibodies to viruses, with the exception of EIV, indicates these pathogens are present, but unlikely a predominant cause of respiratory signs and noninfectious causes of disease should also be investigated. Working horses in this region would be vulnerable to incursion of equine influenza.
© 2018 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2018-05-17 PubMed ID: 29574904PubMed Central: PMC6175379DOI: 10.1111/evj.12834Google 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.

This study is about the prevalence of respiratory diseases among working horses in Ethiopia and it aims to identify the common pathogens involved. The scientists used serological testing to determine exposure to major respiratory pathogens and found evidence of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and equine arteritis virus.

Research Context

  • This research was carried out due to frequent occurrence of respiratory diseases among horses in Ethiopia.
  • Respiratory conditions could be caused by a variety of pathogens, thus necessitating a systematic and thorough study.

Objectives and Methods

  • The main objective was to determine the presence and frequency of respiratory signs and exposure to significant respiratory pathogens through a serological survey.
  • The team used a cross-sectional method, selecting horses from 19 different locations across Ethiopia for clinical examination in the period of August to December 2013.
  • Serological tests were conducted to examine the presence of equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesviruses-1 and -4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), equine rhinitis viruses A and B, equine arteritis virus (EAV) and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.

Results and Analysis

  • From the sampoled animals, owners reported a recent history of coughing in 38% of horses and nasal discharge in only 7%.
  • Around 6% of horses were observed to have a nasal discharge on the day of examination, but none were observed coughing.
  • Antibodies for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi were the most prevalent (8% among 350 tested horses), suggesting a high exposure to this pathogen.
  • Antibodies for EAV were found in only one animal.
  • Low antibody titres for EHV-1/4 and equine rhinitis viruses A and B, suggested a past exposure but no current presence of the viruses among the horse population.
  • No antibodies for EIV were detected among the tested animals.
  • Further regression analysis modeled the risk factors for Streptococcus equi subsp. equi exposure, revealing that younger working horses and those worked less frequently were at higher risk.
  • However, the authors caution that a single set of serological tests cannot effectively capture the dynamic nature of antibody levels over time.

Conclusions and Implications

  • Streptococcus equi subsp. equi may be endemic in this horse population, contributing to the prevalence of respiratory diseases.
  • Though several viral pathogens were present, their low prevalence suggests they might not be the predominant cause of respiratory signs among these horses. Noninfectious causes should also be investigated.
  • Due to the absence of antibodies to EIV, the working horse population in this region could be particularly vulnerable to an equine influenza outbreak and should be monitored closely.

Cite This Article

APA
Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Aklilu N, Ashine T, Newton R, Radford A, Pinchbeck G. (2018). Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia. Equine Vet J, 50(6), 793-799. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12834

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 6
Pages: 793-799

Researcher Affiliations

Laing, G
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Christley, R
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Stringer, A
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Aklilu, N
  • SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Ashine, T
  • SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.
Newton, R
  • Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
Radford, A
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Pinchbeck, G
  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Hematocrit / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Respiratory Rate
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grant Funding

  • Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool
  • SPANA

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