Strangles: taking steps towards eradication.
Abstract: Strangles, caused by the host adapted Lancefield group C bacterium Streptococcus equi sub-species equi (S. equi), is one of the oldest recognised infectious diseases of horses and continues to cause significant welfare and economic cost throughout the world. The ability of S. equi to establish sub-clinical persistent infections primarily in the guttural pouches of convalescent horses has been instrumental to its success. However, the implementation of simple control measures that permit the identification and treatment of persistently infected carriers can prevent further outbreaks of disease at a local level. This review summarises some of the molecular mechanisms exploited by S. equi to cause disease. New qPCR and iELISA diagnostic tests replace culture methodologies as the gold standard for the detection of infected animals. A strategy to maximise the effective application of these tests to direct management methods for the eradication of S. equi infection is presented and the role of preventative vaccines is discussed. In contrast to current understanding, emerging data illustrates the dynamism of the global S. equi population and potential consequences for the effectiveness of currently available vaccines. The ability to use modern vaccines alongside conventional biosecurity and screening procedures will be critical to the large-scale prevention and even eradication of strangles, providing an opportunity to finally break the stranglehold that this disease has on the world's equine industry.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-04-12 PubMed ID: 23642414DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.033Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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The research article discusses the disease Strangles in horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and explores methods for its prevention and eradication, highlighting the use of modern diagnostic tests and vaccines in conjunction with traditional biosecurity measures.
About Strangles and Streptococcus equi
- Strangles is a contagious respiratory disease in horses caused by a bacterium named Streptococcus equi. It is one of the oldest known infectious diseases in horses and poses a substantial economic and welfare burden globally.
- S. equi establishes sub-clinical persistent infections, especially in the guttural pouches of horses that have recovered from the disease. This persistence is key to the bacterial strain’s success.
- The researchers emphasize the importance of identifying and treating these persistently infected carriers as a preventive measure against further disease outbreaks at the local level.
Understanding the Mechanism of the Disease
- The article provides a summary of the molecular mechanisms S. equi uses to cause disease. These underlying mechanisms are essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Roles of Diagnostic Tools
- New diagnostic tools such as qPCR (Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) and iELISA (indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) have replaced traditional culture methodologies. These tests are now the gold standard for detecting infected animals.
- The authors present a strategy to maximize the use of these tests for more efficient management of S. equi infection.
Vaccination and Prevention
- The article discusses the role of preventative vaccines in controlling Strangles and presents the idea that combining modern vaccines with traditional biosecurity and screening measures could lead to large-scale prevention and even eradication of Strangles.
- In contrast to current understanding, the researchers point out that the global S. equi population is dynamic. This dynamism can have potential implications for the effectiveness of the currently available vaccines, which needs to be considered while developing future preventive strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Waller AS.
(2013).
Strangles: taking steps towards eradication.
Vet Microbiol, 167(1-2), 50-60.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.033 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, United Kingdom. Electronic address: andrew.waller@aht.org.uk.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Eradication
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
- Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
- Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
- Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
- Streptococcus equi
Grant Funding
- Wellcome Trust
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Zhang Y, Lv F, Su Y, Zhang H, Zhang B. Complete genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of three donkey Streptococcus equi subsp. equi isolates. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1285027.
- Martin KH, Redding LE, Boyle AG. Factors Influencing Veterinarian Opinion on Reporting of Equine Strangles in the United States. J Equine Vet Sci 2022 Jul;114:103947.
- Özçelik R, Graubner C, Remy-Wohlfender F, Dürr S, Faverjon C. Evaluating 5.5 Years of Equinella: A Veterinary-Based Voluntary Infectious Disease Surveillance System of Equines in Switzerland. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:327.
- Høyer-Nielsen AK, Gaini S, Kjerulf A, Kollslíð R, Steig TÁ, Stegger M, Jóanesarson J. Sepsis, Endocarditis, and Purulent Arthritis due to a Rare Zoonotic Infection with Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus. Case Rep Infect Dis 2018;2018:3265701.
- Tscheschlok L, Venner M, Steward K, Böse R, Riihimäki M, Pringle J. Decreased Clinical Severity of Strangles in Weanlings Associated with Restricted Seroconversion to Optimized Streptococcus equi ssp equi Assays. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jan;32(1):459-464.
- Boyle AG, Stefanovski D, Rankin SC. Comparison of nasopharyngeal and guttural pouch specimens to determine the optimal sampling site to detect Streptococcus equi subsp equi carriers by DNA amplification. BMC Vet Res 2017 Mar 23;13(1):75.
- Struchen R, Hadorn D, Wohlfender F, Balmer S, Süptitz S, Zinsstag J, Vial F. Experiences with a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of equine diseases in Switzerland. Epidemiol Infect 2016 Jul;144(9):1830-6.
- Weese JS. Infection control and biosecurity in equine disease control. Equine Vet J 2014 Nov;46(6):654-60.
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