Type A botulism in horses in the United States: a review of the past ten years (1998-2008).
Abstract: The objective of the current retrospective study was to describe naturally occurring type A botulism in horses in the United States. In the past 10 years, the Botulism Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine has identified 3 isolated cases and 8 outbreaks of type A botulism in horses via samples positive for Clostridium botulinum type A toxin or spores using the mouse bioassay test. Additional information was obtained by review of submission forms and by telephone or email interviews. Almost all type A cases and outbreaks occurred in the western United States, with Oregon and Idaho overrepresented. Type A toxin was identified in only 1 outbreak; all other identified cases and outbreaks were positive for spores but not preformed toxin. Reported clinical signs included progressive muscle weakness, recumbency, decreased tail and/or tongue tone, dysphagia, respiratory distress, and death. Isolated cases involved foals or =11 months. One hundred and nineteen horses were potentially exposed to the toxin source; 54 out of 119 showed signs of botulism, and 49 out of 54 affected horses were confirmed dead. The number of horses affected per outbreak ranged from 2 to 24. The source of infection was confirmed to be hay or silage in 6 out of 8 outbreaks and was unknown in 2 out of 8 outbreaks. The present report is the first description of outbreaks of type A botulism in horses and has important implications for prevention and treatment. Based on these findings, type A botulism should be considered in suspect cases of equine botulism in the western United States.
Publication Date: 2010-03-13 PubMed ID: 20224073DOI: 10.1177/104063871002200201Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research explores the occurrence of type A botulism in horses in the United States over a decade (1998-2008). The study provides an examination of the 3 isolated cases and 8 outbreaks of this disease, predominantly observed in the western United States, identified through samples of botulinum type A toxin or spores.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted retrospectively, analyzing cases of type A botulism over a period of ten years.
- Data was primarily collected from the Botulism Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
- The identification of type A botulism was made through cases positive for Clostridium botulinum type A toxin or spores. This was determined using the mouse bioassay test, a standard test in diagnosing botulism.
- Apart from laboratory results, additional information was procured through review of submission forms and interviews conducted via telephone or email.
Findings
- Most type A botulism cases and outbreaks were discovered in the western United States, specifically in Oregon and Idaho.
- Type A toxin was identified in only one outbreak; all other cases were positive for spores but did not have the preformed toxin.
- Notable clinical signs of the disease included muscle weakness, recumbency, decreased tail and/or tongue tone, dysphagia, respiratory distress, and death.
- Isolated cases primarily affected foals that were less than or equal to one month old, while outbreaks involved older horses over or equal to 11 months.
- Among the 119 horses exposed to the toxin source, 54 showed signs of botulism, and a high mortality rate was recorded with 49 of the 54 affected horses dying.
- The number of horses afflicted during each outbreak varied, ranging from two to 24 horses.
- The source of infection was confirmed to be hay or silage in 75% of the outbreaks, whereas it remained unknown in the remaining cases.
Conclusions and Implications
- This study represents the first description of type A botulism outbreaks in horses, bringing significant implications for prevention and treatment of this disease.
- The results suggest the need for increased awareness of type A botulism as a potential diagnosis in cases of equine botulism, particularly in the western regions of the U.S.
Cite This Article
APA
Johnson AL, McAdams SC, Whitlock RH.
(2010).
Type A botulism in horses in the United States: a review of the past ten years (1998-2008).
J Vet Diagn Invest, 22(2), 165-173.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104063871002200201 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section of Medicine, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. amyjohn@vet.upenn.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Botulism / epidemiology
- Botulism / veterinary
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
- United States / epidemiology
Citations
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- Lanci A, Rinnovati R, Anniballi F, Auricchio B, Scalfaro C, Menchetti M, Spadari A, Mariella J. The First Case of Botulism in a Donkey. Vet Sci 2019 May 15;6(2).
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- Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A. Equine botulism. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):333-347.
- Masters AM, Palmer DG. Diagnosis of botulism in mammals aided by toxin ELISA and C and D gene RT-PCRs with an emphasis on farm animals. Vet Res Commun 2024 Dec;48(6):3803-3812.
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