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Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2010; 22(2); 165-173; doi: 10.1177/104063871002200201

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.
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Publication Date: 2010-03-13 PubMed ID: 20224073DOI: 10.1177/104063871002200201Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 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

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1040-6387
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 165-173

Researcher Affiliations

Johnson, Amy L
  • Section of Medicine, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. amyjohn@vet.upenn.edu
McAdams, Susan C
    Whitlock, Robert H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Botulism / epidemiology
      • Botulism / veterinary
      • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horses
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Time Factors
      • United States / epidemiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 14 times.
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        doi: 10.1038/srep07174pubmed: 25417711google scholar: lookup
      8. Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Aceto H. Outcome of adult horses with botulism treated at a veterinary hospital: 92 cases (1989-2013). J Vet Intern Med 2015 Jan;29(1):311-9.
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