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BMC veterinary research2017; 13(1); 283; doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1198-x

The effect of alphacypermethrin-treated mesh protection against African horse sickness virus vectors on jet stall microclimate, clinical variables and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of horses.

Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) is of importance to health and international trade in horses worldwide. During export from and transit through AHS endemic countries or zones, physical and chemical measures to protect horses from the vectors of AHS virus (AHSV) are recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health. Protection of containerized air transport systems for horses (jet stalls) with alphacypermethrin insecticide-treated high density polyethylene mesh is effective in reducing the Culicoides midge vector attack rate. In order to determine the effect of this mesh on jet stall ventilation and horse welfare under temperate climatic conditions, jet stall microclimate, clinical variables and faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels of 12 horses were monitored during overnight housing in either a treated or untreated stall in two blocks of a 2 × 3 randomized crossover design. Results: Temperature difference between the treated stall and outside was significantly higher than the difference between the untreated stall and outside at 1/15 time points only (P = 0.045, r = 0.70). Relative humidity (RH) difference between the treated stall and outside did not differ from the untreated stall and outside. Temperature and RH in the treated stall were highly and significantly correlated with outside temperature (r = 0.96, P < 0.001) and RH (r = 0.95, P < 0.001), respectively. No significant differences were detected between rectal temperatures, pulse and respiratory rates of horses in the treated stall compared to the untreated stall. Mean FGM concentrations for horses housed in the treated stall peaked earlier (24 h) and at a higher concentration than horses housed in the untreated stall (48 h), but were not significantly different from baseline. No significant difference was detected in FGM concentrations when the treated and untreated stall groups were compared at individual time points up to 72 h after exiting the jet stall. Conclusions: Alphacypermethrin-treated HDPE mesh could be used under temperate climatic conditions to protect horses in jet stalls against AHSV vectors, without compromising jet stall microclimate and horse welfare.
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Publication Date: 2017-09-09 PubMed ID: 28886712PubMed Central: PMC5591536DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1198-xGoogle 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 study evaluates the impacts of a chemical-treated mesh designed to protect horses from African horse sickness, on the horses’ living conditions and welfare. Findings indicate that the treated mesh minimized the Culicoides midge vector attack rate without significantly altering the containment area’s climate or the horses’ health.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research was primarily aimed at understanding the effect of alphacypermethrin-treated high-density mesh on the microclimate of jet stalls, which are containerized transport systems used for horses, and its impact on horse welfare. The mesh is treated to protect horses from the vectors of the African horse sickness virus.
  • The study, in temperate climatic conditions, was designed as a randomized crossover trial where 12 horses were monitored overnight in either a treated or untreated stall. Variables monitored included jet stall microclimate, clinical physical factors like rectal temperature, pulse, and respiratory rates, and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM), which indicate stress levels in horses.

Results and Findings

  • The study’s results showed only a slight increase in temperature between the treated stall and the outside environment at one out of fifteen time points. This suggests that the treated mesh did not significantly change the temperature inside the stall.
  • Similar results were obtained for relative humidity, indicating that the alphacypermethrin-treated mesh did not affect the stall’s humidity levels.
  • Further, the study found no significant differences in the rectal temperature, pulse, or respiratory rate of the horses housed in treated stalls compared to those in untreated stalls. Implying that the treated mesh did not affect the horses’ basic clinical parameters.
  • Interestingly, the FGM concentrations, a sign of stress in horses, of those in treated stalls peaked earlier and were at a higher concentration than those in untreated stalls, but the levels were not significantly different from baseline.

Conclusions

  • Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that alphacypermethrin-treated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) mesh could be effectively used to protect horses from the vectors of the African horse sickness virus without compromising the microclimate of the jet stall or the welfare of the horse.
  • This reinforces the feasibility and practicality of this protective measure against African horse sickness, especially during transit or export operations from endemic regions, which is significant for global horse health and trade.

Cite This Article

APA
Page P, Ganswindt A, Schoeman J, Venter G, Guthrie A. (2017). The effect of alphacypermethrin-treated mesh protection against African horse sickness virus vectors on jet stall microclimate, clinical variables and faecal glucocorticoid metabolites of horses. BMC Vet Res, 13(1), 283. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1198-x

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 283

Researcher Affiliations

Page, Patrick
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa. patrick.page@bayer.com.
Ganswindt, Andre
  • Endocrine Research Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
Schoeman, Johan
  • Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
Venter, Gert
  • PVVD, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
Guthrie, Alan
  • Equine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.

MeSH Terms

  • African Horse Sickness Virus / physiology
  • Aircraft
  • Animals
  • Ceratopogonidae / drug effects
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Horses
  • Insect Bites and Stings / prevention & control
  • Insect Bites and Stings / veterinary
  • Insect Vectors / drug effects
  • Insecticides / administration & dosage
  • Insecticides / pharmacology
  • Pyrethrins / chemistry
  • Pyrethrins / pharmacology
  • Transportation

Conflict of Interest Statement

COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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