Serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in horses in Hokkaido.
Abstract: Serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in horses in Hokkaido was performed using ELISA. Of 2,879 horse sera, 318 (11.0%) gave antibody-positive (OD greater than or equal to 0.3) reactions. The antibody-positive rate of female was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than that of male, and no statistical difference between Anglo-Arab and thoroughbred was detected in the antibody-positive rate. The maximum antibody-positive rate (27.1%) was shown at 14 years of age. The antibody-positive rates on the 160 farms were found to vary widely from 0 to 78.9%. A significant difference (p less than 0.01) in the antibody-positive rate was detected among horse farms. It was elucidated that 100 (62.5%) out of 160 horse farms had an antibody-positive horse. These results indicate that R. equi was widespread on horse farms, and the level of environmental contamination with R. equi differed among horse farms.
Publication Date: 1992-08-01 PubMed ID: 1391174DOI: 10.1292/jvms.54.649Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research highlights a study on Rhodococcus equi infection in horses in Hokkaido, using an ELISA test with a conclusion highlighting differences in infection rates across horse farms and type/age of horses.
Study Methodology
- The researchers implement a serological survey to study the Rhodococcus equi infection in horses. A serological survey is a scientific study designed to analyze and measure the presence of antibodies in an organism’s blood serum. This test helps in determining the exposure or immunity of the organism against a particular infection or disease.
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the analysis of 2,879 horse sera, which was the primary method for detecting the antibodies in the horses. ELISA is a frequently used lab test to detect and measure antibodies in the blood.
Study Results
- Out of 2,879 horse sera analyzed, 318 (11.0%) were antibody-positive for Rhodococcus equi bacteria signifying infection or exposure to the bacteria. The antibody-positive reaction was determined by an optical density (OD) level that was greater than or equal to 0.3. Optical density is a measure of how much light is absorbed by a substance, in this case, the antibodies present in the sera.
- The researchers also found that the antibody-positive rate of female horses was significantly higher than male horses, with no statistical difference between Anglo-Arab and thoroughbred horses.
- The peak antibody-positive rate of 27.1% was found in 14-year-old horses. This signifies that this age group had the highest exposure or immunity to the bacteria.
Variation among Farms
- The antibody-positive rates varied drastically across the 160 horse farms, ranging from 0 to 78.9%.
- A significant difference in the antibody-positive rates was noticed among different horse farms, revealing that 100 (62.5%) out of 160 horse farms had at least one horse that was antibody-positive.
Concluding Observations
- Results indicate a widespread presence of R. equi bacteria on horse farms, suggesting a significant infection rate or exposure to the infection in horses in Hokkaido.
- The study also highlights a variable degree of environmental contamination across horse farms, possibly pointing towards differing hygiene or management practices influencing the spread of the infection.
Cite This Article
APA
Sanada Y, Noda H, Nagahata H.
(1992).
Serological survey of Rhodococcus equi infection in horses in Hokkaido.
J Vet Med Sci, 54(4), 649-652.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.54.649 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycetales Infections / epidemiology
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
- Breeding
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Japan / epidemiology
- Male
- Prevalence
- Rhodococcus equi / immunology
- Sex Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Nielsen SS, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Baldinelli F, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Alvarez J. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial-resistant Rhodococcus equi in horses. EFSA J 2022 Feb;20(2):e07081.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gürbilek SE, Tel OY, Keskin O, Steinman A. Seroprevalence of Rhodococcus equi in horses in Israel. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2017 Jun 26;88(0):e1-e6.
- McNeil MM, Brown JM. The medically important aerobic actinomycetes: epidemiology and microbiology. Clin Microbiol Rev 1994 Jul;7(3):357-417.
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