Two cases of Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii infection in horses from Nova Scotia.
Abstract: Two horses from Nova Scotia were diagnosed with Potomac horse fever (PHF). Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed on formalin-fixed colon tissue or whole blood to show the presence of Neorickettsia risticii DNA, the causative agent of PHF. These are the first reported cases of PHF in the Maritime Provinces. Un diagnostic d’ehrlichiose monocytaire équine (EME) a été posé sur 2 chevaux de Nouvelle-Écosse. Une analyse d’amplification en chaîne par polymérase a été effectuée sur du tissu de côlon fixé au formol ou sur du sang complet afin de démontrer la présence d’ADN de l’agent causal de l’EME. Il s’agit des premiers cas rapportés d’EME dans les provinces maritimes.
Publication Date: 2004-06-23 PubMed ID: 15206592PubMed Central: PMC548627
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Summary
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The research paper discussed two cases of Potomac horse fever identified in two horses from Nova Scotia. The presence of Neorickettsia risticii DNA, the underlying cause of the disease, was determined through a polymerase chain reaction analysis on specific tissues or whole blood.
Research Background and Methodology
- The research is premised on the identification of the first cases of Potomac horse fever (PHF), also known as equine monocytic ehrlichiosis, in the Maritime Provinces, particularly Nova Scotia.
- The scientists conducted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to confirm the presence of the disease. PCR is a technique commonly used in molecular biology to amplify a specific DNA segment. In this case, it was used to detect Neorickettsia risticii DNA, which is the causative agent of PHF.
- The PCR analysis was performed on formalin-fixed colon tissue or whole blood from the infected horses.
Findings and Conclusion
- The presence of Neorickettsia risticii DNA was found in the horses’ samples, attesting to the infection of PHF. This finding confirmed suspicion of the disease, based on the symptoms shown by the horses previously.
- These cases marked the first recorded occurrences of PHF in Nova Scotia and the Maritime Provinces at large. This discovery is significant because it signals the presence and spread of the disease in areas where it was previously not found.
- This study necessitates further research and monitoring to curb the spread of PHF in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Heller MC, McClure J, Pusterla N, Pusterla JB, Stahel S.
(2004).
Two cases of Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii infection in horses from Nova Scotia.
Can Vet J, 45(5), 421-423.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 56 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3. mcheller@vmth.ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Anaplasmataceae Infections / diagnosis
- Anaplasmataceae Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- DNA, Bacterial / analysis
- Fatal Outcome
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Male
- Neorickettsia risticii / genetics
- Neorickettsia risticii / isolation & purification
- Nova Scotia
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
References
This article includes 12 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Gomez DE, Leclere M, Arroyo LG, Li L, John E, Afonso T, Payette F, Darby S. Acute diarrhea in horses: A multicenter Canadian retrospective study (2015 to 2019).. Can Vet J 2022 Oct;63(10):1033-1042.
- Budachetri K, Lin M, Yan Q, Chien RC, Hostnik LD, Haanen G, Leclère M, Waybright W, Baird JD, Arroyo LG, Rikihisa Y. Real-Time PCR Differential Detection of Neorickettsia findlayensis and N. risticii in Cases of Potomac Horse Fever.. J Clin Microbiol 2022 Jul 20;60(7):e0025022.
- Teymournejad O, Lin M, Bekebrede H, Kamr A, Toribio RE, Arroyo LG, Baird JD, Rikihisa Y. Isolation and Molecular Analysis of a Novel Neorickettsia Species That Causes Potomac Horse Fever.. mBio 2020 Feb 25;11(1).
- Durán MC, Marqués FJ. Detection of Neorickettsia risticii, the agent of Potomac horse fever, in a Gypsy Vanner stallion from Manitoba.. Can Vet J 2016 Mar;57(3):293-5.
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