Serological cross-sectional survey of equine infectious anemia in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: The equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) is one of the most serious equine diseases worldwide. There is scarce information on the epizootiology of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in Saudi Arabia. Given the importance of the equine industry in Saudi Arabia, this cross- -sectional study aims to provide information about the prevalence of EIAV based on serological surveillance of the equine population in the country. A total of 4728 sera samples were collected (4523 horses and 205 donkeys) between December 2017 and November 2019. All samples were tested using commercially available EIAV ELISA. All tested samples showed negative results for EIAV antibodies with a 95% confidence interval. The results provided evidence that Saudi Arabia's equine populations (horses and donkeys) are currently free of EIAV. The results also suggest the need for continuous monitoring of EIAV and strict regulation when importing horses from other countries.
Copyright© by the Polish Academy of Sciences.
Publication Date: 2022-09-27 PubMed ID: 36155597DOI: 10.24425/pjvs.2022.142018Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The article discusses a study conducted to determine the prevalence of the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) in the horse and donkey populations in Saudi Arabia. The study found no evidence of EIAV in the nearly 5000 animals tested, suggesting these populations are currently EIAV-free.
Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV)
- The Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is a viral disease that affects horses. It is one of the most serious equine diseases worldwide.
- Given the importance of the equine industry in Saudi Arabia, understanding the prevalence and impact of this disease is vital.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to provide information about the prevalence of EIAV in Saudi Arabia. There was previously limited information about the disease’s prevalence in the country.
- The study carries out a cross-sectional, serological examination of the horse and donkey populations in Saudi Arabia. This means the researchers collected blood serum samples from these animals and tested them for the presence of EIAV antibodies.
Methodology
- A total of 4728 serum samples were collected from various animals (4523 horses and 205 donkeys) between December 2017 and November 2019.
- All samples were tested using a commercially available EIAV ELISA test. ELISA, which stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, is a common laboratory technique used to detect the presence of antibodies in a sample.
Findings
- The samples showed no presence of EIAV antibodies. The results are given with a 95% confidence interval, meaning the researchers are 95% confident that the true proportion of EIAV positive cases in the population lies within the range given.
- The lack of EIAV antibodies in the samples suggests that the equine populations in Saudi Arabia (both horses and donkeys) are free of EIAV.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- Despite the absence of EIAV in the current population, the authors emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance of EIAV.
- They also recommend strict regulation when importing horses from other countries to prevent the introduction of EIAV into Saudi Arabia.
Cite This Article
APA
Kasem S, Hashim O, Alkarar A, Hodhod A, Elias A, Abdallah M, Al-Sahaf A, Al-Doweriej A, Qasim I, Abdel-Moneim AS.
(2022).
Serological cross-sectional survey of equine infectious anemia in Saudi Arabia.
Pol J Vet Sci, 25(3), 365-368.
https://doi.org/10.24425/pjvs.2022.142018 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, El Geish Street, 33516, Egypt.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Animal Health Research Institute - Virology Department - Damanhur Branch - Egypt.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, 65 King Abdulaziz Road, Riyadh, 11195, Saudi Arabia.
- Microbiology Department, Virology Division, College of Medicine, Taif University, Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Equidae
- Equine Infectious Anemia / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Infectious Anemia Virus, Equine
- Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Almaqhawi AA, El-Jalii IM, Al-Sabi MNS, Al-Ali A, Khalid AM, Abduljawad M, Shawaf T. Treatment evaluation using ultrasonographic scanning of the spleen in Arabian horses affected by babesiosis. Open Vet J 2025 Nov;15(11):5799-5805.
- Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Çalışkan H, Purnama MTE. Global prevalence and risk factors of equine infectious anemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet World 2025 Jun;18(6):1440-1451.
- Li L, Li S, Ma H, Akhtar MF, Tan Y, Wang T, Liu W, Khan A, Khan MZ, Wang C. An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 2;14(13).
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