Risk factors associated with an outbreak of equine coronavirus at a large farm in North Carolina.
Abstract: Equine coronavirus (ECoV) leads to outbreaks with variable morbidity and mortality. Few previous reports of risk factors for infection are available in the literature. Unassigned: To describe unique clinical findings and risk factors for infection and development of clinical disease. Unassigned: 135 horses on a farm affected by ECoV outbreak. Unassigned: Retrospective cohort study. Data obtained included age, breed, gender, activity level, housing, and feed at the onset of the outbreak. Factors were evaluated for assessment of risk of infection using simple logistic regression or Fisher's exact test. Significance was set at ≤ 0.05. Unassigned: Forty-three of 54 (79.6%) horses tested on the farm were positive on fecal PCR for ECoV, and 17 horses (12.6%) developed clinical signs consistent with ECoV. Out of 17 horses in which the presence or absence of signs of colic was noted, 6 of 17 (35.3%) showed signs of colic. Three of these horses had small colon impactions, 2 of which required surgical intervention. Significant risk factors for having positive PCR results included being primarily stalled (OR 167.1, 95% CI 26.4-1719), housing next to a positive horse (OR 7.5, 95% CI 3.1-19.0), being in work (OR 26.9, 95% CI 4.6-281.9), being fed rationed hay vs. (OR 1,558, 95% CI 130.8-15,593), and being fed alfalfa hay (OR 1,558, 95% CI 130.8-15,593). Unassigned: This report describes risk factors for ECoV infection many of which were associated with intensive management of show horses. Clinicians should be aware that clinical signs vary and can include severe colic.
Publication Date: PubMed ID: 36937023
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Summary
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This research focused on gathering data and identifying the risk factors associated with an outbreak of equine coronavirus (ECoV) on a large farm in North Carolina. The study found several risk factors including specific feeding practices and management intensity, specifically in show horses.
Research Methodology and Objective
- This research was a retrospective cohort study conducted on a farm where an ECoV outbreak occurred, afflicting 135 horses. The goal of the study was to identify unique clinical findings and risk factors for ECoV infection and the development of clinical disease.
Detailed Analysis
- Multiple variables such as the horses’ age, breed, gender, activity levels, housing, and feed at the onset of the outbreak were considered to evaluate risk factors.
- A combination of simple logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test were utilized in the risk assessment, with significance defined at ≤ 0.05.
Results
- Out of 54 horses tested, 79.6% (43 horses) were ECoV positive based on fecal PCR results, 12.6% (17 horses) showed clinical signs of ECoV.
- From the horses that showed signs of disease, around 35.3% (6 out of 17) exhibited signs of colic, with three of these experiencing small colon impactions. Two required surgical intervention.
Identified Risk Factors
- The study identified that horses that were primarily stalled had a significantly higher risk of being ECoV positive. Their odds ratio (OR) was calculated at 167.1, indicating a substantial risk increase compared to counterparts not primarily stalled.
- Horses housed next to an ECoV positive horse had a significant risk factor with an OR of 7.5.
- Horses that were working during the outbreak had a OR of 26.9.
- Feeding practices also played a crucial role in determining ECoV infection. Horses fed rationed hay or alfalfa hay saw a staggering increase in risk factor with an OR of 1,558.
Interpretation of Findings
- This study illustrates that some of the major risk factors for the ECoV infection were associated with the intensive management of show horses.
- It also warns clinicians that the symptomatic representation of the disease can vary extensively, including the potential for severe colic conditions.
Cite This Article
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Risk factors associated with an outbreak of equine coronavirus at a large farm in North Carolina.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Haywood LMB, Clark A, Hause B, Sheahan B. A novel kirkovirus may be associated with equine gastrointestinal disease. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):414-422.
- Ricci I, Rosone F, Pacchiarotti G, Manna G, Cersini A, Carvelli A, La Rocca D, Cammalleri E, Giordani R, Tofani S, Conti R, Rombolà P, Nardini R, Minniti CA, Caforio R, Linardi B, Scicluna MT. Pegiviruses and Coronavirus: Biomolecular Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Strains Detected in Italian Horse Populations. Viruses 2025 Aug 2;17(8).
- Haywood LMB, Sheahan BJ. A Review of Epithelial Ion Transporters and Their Roles in Equine Infectious Colitis. Vet Sci 2024 Oct 7;11(10).
- Stummer M, Frisch V, Glitz F, Hinney B, Spergser J, Krücken J, Diekmann I, Dimmel K, Riedel C, Cavalleri JV, Rümenapf T, Joachim A, Lyrakis M, Auer A. Presence of Equine and Bovine Coronaviruses, Endoparasites, and Bacteria in Fecal Samples of Horses with Colic. Pathogens 2023 Aug 15;12(8).
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