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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2017; 220; 91-94; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.007

Seroprevalence and risk factors for infection with equine coronavirus in healthy horses in the USA.

Abstract: Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is considered an enteric pathogen of foals and has only recently been associated with infections in adult horses. Seroprevalence data is needed to better understand the epidemiology of ECoV in adult horses, evaluate diagnostic modalities and develop preventive measures. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and selective risk factors for ECoV in 5247 healthy adult horses in the USA, using a recently established and validated IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prevalence factors analysed in this study included geographic region, age, breed, sex and use. A total of 504/5247 horses (9.6%) horses tested seropositive. Geographic region (Mid-West; P = 0.008), breed (Draft horses; P = 0.003) and specific uses of horses (ranch/farm, P = 0.034; breeding use, P = 0.016) were all statistically significant risk factors for seropositivity.
Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2017-01-12 PubMed ID: 28190504PubMed Central: PMC7110631DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.007Google 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 research looks into the occurrence and risk factors associated with equine coronavirus, a typically foal-affecting disease, in healthy adult horses in the USA. The findings point out certain factors such as geographical location, breed, and specific usage of the horses that influence the likelihood of seropositivity.

Objective of the Study

  • The main goal of this research was to investigate the prevalence of Equine Coronavirus (ECoV) and distinct risk factors in over 5000 healthy adult horses in the USA. To achieve this, researchers used a recently created and validated testing method – the IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Reasons for the Study

  • ECoV is generally known as an enteric pathogen that primarily affects foals. It has however been recently linked to infections in adult horses, which necessitates the gathering of seroprevalence data.
  • Seroprevalence data is required to aid in better understanding the epidemiology of ECoV in adult horses, evaluating diagnostic procedures and formulating preventive measures.

Methodology

  • In this research, the severity or the frequency of the ECoV in adult horses was analyzed based on different factors such as geographic location, age, breed, sex, and use of the horses.
  • A total of 5247 horses were tested and among them, 504 horses (9.6%) tested positive for the ECoV antibodies. This shows their past or ongoing infection with the virus.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that the geographical region, specifically the Mid-West, was a significant risk factor for ECoV with a significance level of P = 0.008.
  • Breed was another determining factor. Particularly, Draft horses were associated with a higher risk (P = 0.003).
  • The specific uses of horses were also found to be statistical risk factors for ECoV. Horses used for ranch/farm purposes had a significance level of P = 0.034, while those used for breeding purposes had a P value of 0.016.

Conclusion

  • This study contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of ECoV in adult horses in the USA. The discovery of risk factors such as geographic location, breed, and specific uses of horses can aid in evaluating the diagnostic modalities of ECoV and in the formulation of effective preventive measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Kooijman LJ, James K, Mapes SM, Theelen MJ, Pusterla N. (2017). Seroprevalence and risk factors for infection with equine coronavirus in healthy horses in the USA. Vet J, 220, 91-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.01.007

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 220
Pages: 91-94
PII: S1090-0233(17)30021-7

Researcher Affiliations

Kooijman, L J
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, Utrecht 3584CM, The Netherlands.
James, K
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Mapes, S M
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
Theelen, M J P
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, Utrecht 3584CM, The Netherlands.
Pusterla, N
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA. Electronic address: npusterla@ucdavis.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Coronavirus / physiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Coronavirus, Bovine
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • United States / epidemiology

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Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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