Use of a novel serological test for exposure to Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in hospitalised horses.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a new test when it comes to detecting exposure to Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S equi) in horses not showing external signs of strangles disease. The findings suggest that this serological test may detect recent exposure to S equi even if the horse has no known history of strangles and is asymptomatic for the disease.

Introduction of the Research

• The research was aimed at testing a new commercially available serological test for detecting exposure to Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S equi), which is a bacterium responsible for the equine strangles disease.
• For this purpose, the study utilized 30 horses that did not display any outward signs of the strangles disease, a common infectious disease in horses

Methods Adopted in the Research

• The horses were not just tested using the serological test, but also for persistent carriage of S equi via guttural pouch endoscopy and PCR analysis of lavage samples.
• Additionally, the owners of the horses were questioned about the recent medical history of the horses.

Findings of the Research

• According to the serological test, four out of the 30 horses had recent exposure to S equi.
• Interestingly, none of these horses had a known history of strangles, yet three out of the four seropositive horses had recently exhibited non-specific signs of a respiratory disease.
• Furthermore, one horse that showed no symptoms was found to be S equi positive via PCR, although none of the horses both had guttural pouch abnormalities and tested positive in the PCR test.
• As a control measure, the researchers also tested ten additional horses known to have strangles and found all of them to be seropositive in the serological test.

Implications of the Research

• The research implies that the serological test could effectively detect recent exposure to S equi in horses, even if the animals show no specific symptoms or prior history of strangles.
• This test could prove highly beneficial in the identification of asymptomatic carriers of the disease, enabling better containment and prevention measures.