The absence of Rhodococcus equi in Mongolian horses.

The research investigates the occurrence and distribution of Rhodococcus equi, a bacterium causing respiratory diseases in horses, in Mongolian horses. It reveals no traces of the bacterium in native Mongolian horses or their surrounding environment.

Objective of the Study

• This research was aimed at understanding the incidence and prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in native Mongolian horses, and examining any traces of this bacterium in their environment.

Methodology

• One hundred and fourteen equine fecal samples and 71 soil samples were collected from the camping sites of 26 nomadic families situated less than 100 km from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Additionally, five fecal samples were collected from foals of Przewalski’s Horses, a distinct breed, introduced into the Hustai National Park, Mongolia.

Findings

• No R. equi bacteria were isolated from the sampled Mongolian horses or the collected soil samples, indicating the absence of the bacterium in these environments.
• However, three colonies of R. equi were isolated from two fecal samples collected from foals of Przewalski’s Horses.
• These isolated strains were determined to be avirulent, meaning they could not cause disease. This was established as neither 15- to 17-kDa antigens (VapA) nor a 20-kDa antigen (VapB) genes, commonly associated with disease-causing strains of R. equi, were detected in these isolates.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that the native Mongolian horses and their environment do not seem to be at risk of R. equi contamination.
• This study is significant as R. equi can cause severe respiratory illnesses in horses, and the findings help to understand the factors contributing to the overall health of the horse population in Mongolia.