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The Veterinary record2011; 169(1); 12; doi: 10.1136/vr.d2157

Surveillance programme for important equine infectious respiratory pathogens in the USA.

Abstract: The prevalence and epidemiology of important viral (equine influenza virus [EIV], equine herpesvirus type 1 [EHV-1] and EHV-4) and bacterial (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi) respiratory pathogens shed by horses presented to equine veterinarians with upper respiratory tract signs and/or acute febrile neurological disease were studied. Veterinarians from throughout the USA were enrolled in a surveillance programme and were asked to collect blood and nasal secretions from equine cases with acute infectious upper respiratory tract disease and/or acute onset of neurological disease. A questionnaire was used to collect information pertaining to each case and its clinical signs. Samples were tested by real-time PCR for the presence of EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV and S equi subspecies equi. A total of 761 horses, mules and donkeys were enrolled in the surveillance programme over a 24-month study period. In total, 201 (26.4 per cent) index cases tested PCR-positive for one or more of the four pathogens. The highest detection rate was for EHV-4 (82 cases), followed by EIV (60 cases), S equi subspecies equi (49 cases) and EHV-1 (23 cases). There were 15 horses with double infections and one horse with a triple infection. The detection rate by PCR for the different pathogens varied with season and with the age, breed, sex and use of the animal.
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Publication Date: 2011-06-15 PubMed ID: 21676986DOI: 10.1136/vr.d2157Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research paper focuses on the surveillance of prevalent and key viral and bacterial infections that lead to respiratory disorders in horses in the USA. The frequency, dispersion and detection rates of these diseases were investigated over a two-year period.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved an extensive surveillance program across the United States where equine veterinarians were asked to participate and collect samples from horses showing symptoms of infectious upper respiratory tract disease or acute febrile neurological disease.
  • The veterinarians collected blood and nasal secretions from the horses and filled in a detailed questionnaire about each case and its clinical signs.
  • The samples were then tested using real-time PCR (a molecular biology technique used for amplifying and simultaneously monitoring the amplification reaction) for the presence of equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), type 4 (EHV-4), and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi – bacterial pathogens that typically infect horses.

Findings of the Study

  • The surveillance program ran for 24 months and enlisted 761 participants encompassing horses, mules, and donkeys.
  • Out of the total, 201 or 26.4% of initial cases resulted in a PCR-positive test for one or more of the four pathogens. This positive result signifies that the animals were infected by these pathogens.
  • The most frequently detected pathogen was EHV-4, found in 82 cases, followed by EIV found in 60 cases, S.equi subspecies equi in 49 cases, and EHV-1 in 23 cases.
  • Multiple infections in one animal were also found, with 15 cases containing double infections and one horse having a triple infection.
  • The research highlighted that the detection rate varied based on factors such as seasonal changes, the age of the animals, breed, sex, and their usage (either domestic or work animals).

Cite This Article

APA
Pusterla N, Kass PH, Mapes S, Johnson C, Barnett DC, Vaala W, Gutierrez C, McDaniel R, Whitehead B, Manning J. (2011). Surveillance programme for important equine infectious respiratory pathogens in the USA. Vet Rec, 169(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.d2157

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 169
Issue: 1
Pages: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Pusterla, N
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. npusterla@ucdavis.edu
Kass, P H
    Mapes, S
      Johnson, C
        Barnett, D C
          Vaala, W
            Gutierrez, C
              McDaniel, R
                Whitehead, B
                  Manning, J

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                    • Equidae / microbiology
                    • Equidae / virology
                    • Female
                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                    • Horses
                    • Male
                    • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                    • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
                    • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
                    • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
                    • Sentinel Surveillance / veterinary
                    • United States / epidemiology

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 33 times.
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