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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 14(12); 1275; doi: 10.3390/pathogens14121275

Unveiling Equine Abortion Pathogens: A One Health Perspective on Prevalence and Resistance in Northwest China.

Abstract: Equine bacterial abortion presents substantial economic and One Health challenges; however, comprehensive epidemiological data from China are limited. This study sought to ascertain the overall prevalence of key pathogens-namely, spp., , , and spp.-in equine populations in northwestern China. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate the characteristics of co-infections, profile antimicrobial resistance genes, and identify associated risk factors. Conducted as a cross-sectional analysis across four provinces, we collected 508 blood samples and 24 abortion tissue samples from 15 farms. Pathogen detection was performed using ELISA and real-time PCR, complemented by a targeted PCR panel screening for 29 AMR genes. The highest prevalence was observed for (serology: 35.03%; molecular: 23.03%), followed by (28.94%; 15.35%) and spp. (18.90%; 14.17%). No PCR-confirmed cases of spp. were detected, despite low-level seropositivity. Notably, donkeys and horses aged 5-10 years exhibited higher positivity rates, and co-infections were common, particularly + ( = 44). Among the 196 PCR-positive samples, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes were predominant, with (n = 158) and (n = 106) being the most prevalent. Additionally, we identified a high prevalence of genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones ), tetracyclines (), macrolides (), and sulfonamides ), along with sporadic occurrences of carbapenemase genes. This study presents the inaugural comprehensive analysis of pathogen prevalence and associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene carriage in equine abortion cases in northwest China. The findings highlight the imperative for integrated serological and molecular surveillance, revealing a significant discrepancy between empirical therapeutic approaches and the prevalent resistance genotypes. Consequently, this research lays the groundwork for evidence-based biosecurity measures and antimicrobial stewardship within a One Health framework.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-11 PubMed ID: 41471229PubMed Central: PMC12736229DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14121275Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigated the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing abortion in horses and donkeys in northwest China, focusing on co-infections, antimicrobial resistance genes, and risk factors.
  • The research provides critical data linking animal health with broader public health concerns under the One Health approach.

Introduction and Background

  • Equine bacterial abortion leads to significant economic losses and poses health risks crossing between animals and humans (One Health challenge).
  • There was a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data specifically from China’s northwest region regarding key abortion-causing pathogens and their resistance profiles.
  • This gap in data limits understanding of disease spread and effective treatment strategies.

Study Objectives

  • Determine the prevalence of major abortion pathogens: specifically several unnamed species indicated, likely to be bacterial agents important in equine abortion.
  • Characterize co-infections—instances where more than one pathogen infects the animal simultaneously.
  • Profile antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes present in these pathogens to understand resistance patterns.
  • Identify risk factors related to animal demographics (age, species) and farm characteristics.

Methods

  • Design: Cross-sectional study conducted in four provinces of northwest China.
  • Samples: 508 blood samples and 24 abortion tissue samples collected from 15 equine farms involving both horses and donkeys.
  • Detection techniques:
    • Serological testing through ELISA to detect antibodies against pathogens.
    • Molecular testing with real-time PCR to detect pathogen DNA/RNA.
    • Additional targeted PCR to detect a panel of 29 antimicrobial resistance genes.

Key Findings – Pathogen Prevalence

  • The highest pathogen prevalence was a particular species (denoted by blank, but can be assumed from common equine abortive bacteria), detected in:
    • Serology (antibody presence): 35.03%
    • Molecular PCR: 23.03%
  • Other key pathogens showed prevalence as follows:
    • Second species: 28.94% (serology), 15.35% (PCR)
    • Third species: 18.90% (serology), 14.17% (PCR)
  • No PCR-positive results for one pathogen species despite low seropositivity, suggesting exposure but not active infection or possible issues with detection sensitivity.
  • Higher positivity rates were particularly noted in donkeys and horses aged 5-10 years.
  • Co-infections were common, with a notable frequent combination between two pathogens (44 cases of co-infection between specific species).

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Findings

  • Out of 196 samples positive by PCR, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes were most common, highlighting resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics:
    • Gene blaCTX-M found in 158 samples.
    • Gene blaTEM found in 106 samples.
  • High prevalence of genes responsible for resistance to:
    • Fluoroquinolones
    • Tetracyclines
    • Macrolides
    • Sulfonamides
  • Occasional detection of carbapenemase genes, which are concerning because carbapenems are last-resort antibiotics.

Implications and Conclusions

  • This is the first comprehensive study analyzing pathogen prevalence linked to equine abortion and associated AMR genes in northwest China.
  • There is a significant mismatch between the antimicrobial resistance profiles found and the current empirical treatment regimens used on these farms.
  • The high prevalence of multi-drug resistance genes underscores the need for routine integrated surveillance combining serology and molecular diagnostics to enable early detection and appropriate management.
  • The study recommends biosecurity measures and targeted antimicrobial stewardship to control infections and limit the spread of resistance.
  • By applying a One Health perspective, the findings highlight the interconnected health of animals and humans, emphasizing the risk that antibiotic-resistant pathogens in animals can pose to human health.

Study Limitations and Future Directions

  • Limited geographic scope (four provinces) and sample size for tissue samples may warrant further studies to generalize findings across China.
  • The non-identification of some pathogens by PCR despite seropositivity points to potential limitations in detection methods or pathogen dynamics that need more research.
  • Future research could explore intervention strategies based on these resistance profiles to reduce abortion incidences and AMR emergence.

Cite This Article

APA
Gao W, Liu M, Nurdaly K, Caidan D, Sun Y, Duan J, Zhao J, Gong X, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Chen Q. (2025). Unveiling Equine Abortion Pathogens: A One Health Perspective on Prevalence and Resistance in Northwest China. Pathogens, 14(12), 1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121275

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 12
PII: 1275

Researcher Affiliations

Gao, Wei
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Liu, Mengyao
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Nurdaly, Kastai
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Caidan, Duojie
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Sun, Yunlong
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Duan, Jingang
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Zhao, Jiangshan
  • Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi 830063, China.
Gong, Xiaowei
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Zhou, Jizhang
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
Zhang, Yong
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
Chen, Qiwei
  • State Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, College of Animal Medicine and Biosafety, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • China / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Pregnancy
  • One Health
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Coxiella burnetii / drug effects
  • Coxiella burnetii / isolation & purification
  • Coxiella burnetii / genetics
  • Chlamydia / isolation & purification
  • Chlamydia / drug effects
  • Chlamydia / genetics
  • Coinfection / veterinary
  • Coinfection / epidemiology
  • Coinfection / microbiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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