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Begg AP, Carrick J, Chicken C, Blishen A, Todhunter K, Eamens K, Jenkins C. Fetoplacental pathology of equine abortion, premature birth, and neonatal loss due to Chlamydia psittaci. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:983-996. [PMID: 36062911 DOI: 10.1177/03009858221120008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This report describes the fetoplacental pathology of Chlamydia psittaci-associated abortion, premature birth, and neonatal loss in 46 of 442 equine abortion investigations between 2015 and 2019. Seven abortions, 26 premature births, and 13 neonatal deaths with positive C. psittaci polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were evaluated. In 83% of cases (38/46), C. psittaci infection was considered as the primary cause of loss based on quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmation, pathological findings, and exclusion of other causes, and was supported by Chlamydia spp immunolabeling in fetoplacental lesions. Lymphohistiocytic placentitis with vasculitis (36/38) affected the amnion, umbilical cord, and chorioallantois at the umbilical vessel insertion and/or cervical pole. Lymphohistiocytic chorionitis in the subvillous stroma extended to the allantois mostly without villous destruction. Lymphohistiocytic amnionitis and funisitis occurred at the amniotic cord attachment. Lymphohistiocytic hepatitis was observed in 19/38 cases and pneumonia was identified in 26 cases. Chlamydia spp immunolabeled in placenta, lung, liver, or splenic tissue in the cases that were tested (14/38). C. psittaci infection was not the cause of loss in 2 cases with other diseases and of uncertain significance in 6 cases with no conclusive cause of loss. immunohistochemistry (IHC) was negative for 6 of these cases (6/8). The highest Chlamydia load was detected in pooled placental tissues by qPCR. qPCR and IHC had 83% congruence at a qPCR cut-off of 1 gene copy. IHC limits of detection corresponded to infections with 2 × 102 gene copies identified by qPCR. This study confirms the etiological role of C. psittaci as a cause of naturally occurring equine reproductive loss.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joan Carrick
- Equine Specialist Consulting, Scone, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Anna Blishen
- Scone Equine Hospital Laboratory, Scone, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Kieran Eamens
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW, Australia
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2
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Agerholm JS, Klas EM, Damborg P, Borel N, Pedersen HG, Christoffersen M. A Diagnostic Survey of Aborted Equine Fetuses and Stillborn Premature Foals in Denmark. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:740621. [PMID: 34859085 PMCID: PMC8631530 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.740621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Loss of pregnancy in mares can have many different causes, including both infectious and non-infectious conditions. Extrapolation of findings from other studies is often uncertain as the significance of each cause varies across regions. Causes of pregnancy loss in mares have never been thoroughly studied in Denmark, so a prospective cross-sectional cohort study targeting the entire Danish population of pregnant mares was performed over a period of 13 months to obtain knowledge of the significance of individual causes. Fifty aborted or prematurely delivered stillborn fetuses were submitted for necropsy and examined by a panel of diagnostic laboratory methods. Results: Overall, a cause of fetal loss was established for 72% of the examined cases. Most cases (62%) were lost due to a non-infectious cause, of which obstruction of the feto-placental blood circulation due to severe torsion of the umbilical cord was most prevalent. Pregnancy loss due to a variety of opportunistic bacteria, including bacteria not previously associated with abortion in mares, accounted for 12%, while equid alphaherpesvirus (EHV) type 1 was the cause of pregnancy loss in 8% of the cases. EHV type 4 and Chlamydiaceae species were identified in some cases, but not regarded as the cause of fetal loss. Conclusion: Umbilical cord torsion was found to be the most prevalent cause of fetal loss in Danish mares, while infectious causes such as EHV type 1 and streptococci only accounted for a minor proportion of the losses. The study highlights the need for defined criteria for establishing an abortion diagnosis in mares, particularly in relation to EHV types 1 and 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørgen Steen Agerholm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Høje Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Eva-Maria Klas
- Department of Molecular Biology, LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Peter Damborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hanne Gervi Pedersen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Høje Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Mette Christoffersen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Høje Taastrup, Denmark
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3
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Roach JM, Foote AK, Smith KC, Verheyen KL, de Mestre AM. Incidence and causes of pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation in Thoroughbreds. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:996-1003. [PMID: 33205445 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation manifests as abortion, stillbirth or perinatal death. While previous studies have reported the diagnoses of laboratory submissions, none have quantified the incidence and causes of abortions, stillbirths and perinatal mortality at a population level. OBJECTIVES To report the incidence and causes of pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation in a cohort of Thoroughbreds. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Outcomes of Day 70 pregnancies were collected from eight Thoroughbred farms over the 2013-2017 breeding seasons. Stud, veterinary and laboratory records were supplemented with publicly available data. Cause of loss was categorised using custom criteria. RESULTS Data were collected on 3,586 pregnancies from 1,802 mares. The incidence risk of a pregnancy failing to produce a live foal at 24 hours post parturition was 7.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5-8.2, equating to 7.3 cases per 100 Day-70 pregnancies). The incidence of pregnancy loss between Day 70 and 300 of gestation, Day 301-315 and stillbirth/perinatal death was 4.0% (95% CI 3.4-4.7), 0.3% (95% CI 0.2-0.6) and 1.4% (95% CI 1.1-1.9) respectively. Of the pregnancy losses where tissue was available, 61.1% were submitted for post-mortem examination. The incidence risk of loss due to umbilical cord-related pathologies was 1.5% (95% CI 1.1-1.9), 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.6) for noninfectious placental disease and 0.3% (95% CI 0.2-0.6) for both infectious placentitis and Equine Herpesvirus infection. No primary diagnosis was made in 11.2% of the cases which underwent full post-mortem examination. MAIN LIMITATIONS It was not possible to differentiate between intra-partum stillbirth and early post-partum death. CONCLUSION Pregnancy loss after Day 70 of gestation is a significant source of loss in the Thoroughbred with umbilical cord-related pathologies being the most commonly diagnosed cause. Reporting the incidence of pregnancy loss at a population level with clear case definitions will allow for accurate global comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Roach
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
| | | | - Ken C Smith
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
| | - Kristien L Verheyen
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, UK
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4
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Campos I, Batista B, Matos AC, Dutra F, Gomes G, Pinna A, Leite J, Ferreira A. Pregnancy loss due to amnionitis in anglo-arabian mare-Case report. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:438-441. [PMID: 31916285 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The amnion is a layer of the foetal membrane that has mechanical protection function and allows expansion and growth. The diseases that affect amnion have rarely been reported in horses. Amnionitis and funiculitis have been implicated as components of abortions as observed in abortions caused by the mare reproductive loss syndrome. Here, we report an abortion at 240-day gestation of a 7-year-old Anglo-Arabian mare with a history of previous stillbirth. Blood samples from both mare and foetus were collected for serological testing. Fragments from the placenta were taken for macroscopic and histopathological examinations. The results of these tests ruled out leptospirosis and concluded that the cause of the abortion was non-infectious chronic amnionitis. Moreover, the decreased vascularization in the placenta was consistent with placental insufficiency. This case highlights the importance of monthly ultrasound monitoring in equine pregnancy in order to diagnose placental insufficiency. The study also confirmed the efficiency of the histopathological examination for the definitive diagnosis of placental inflammation and for the study of foetal vascularization to rule out placental insufficiency in equine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Campos
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Barbara Batista
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Ana Carina Matos
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
| | | | - Gustavo Gomes
- Diagnostic Veterinary Medicine, University of Vassouras, Vassouras, Brazil
| | - Aline Pinna
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Juliana Leite
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Ana Ferreira
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Federal Fluminense Universit, Niteroi, Brazil
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5
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Bolotov IN, Kondakov AV, Spitsyn VM, Gofarov MY, Kolosova YS. Leptocneria vinarskii sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae), an overlooked Wallacean lineage of the Australian genus. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12430. [PMID: 28963487 PMCID: PMC5622091 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12797-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The tussock moth genus Leptocneria Butler, 1886 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) has been considered an entirely Australian taxon that includes two species: L. reducta (Walker, 1855) and L. binotata Butler, 1886. However, we discovered a divergent lineage of Leptocneria inhabiting Flores Island, Lesser Sundas, Indonesia. Here, we describe this lineage as the third species of the genus, L. vinarskii Bolotov, Kondakov et Spitsyn sp. nov. The new species is sister to L. reducta but differs from it by dark gray marking patterns of the forewing that lack orange or dark yellow marks. The mean COI genetic distance between L. vinarskii sp. nov. and L. reducta sensu lato is 2.9%. Our findings confirm that the Wallacean region was a faunal exchange area between Sundaland and Sahul during the Pleistocene but highlight that the vicariance events may have played a crucial role in origin of the endemic faunas on the islands of East Nusa Tenggara. Additionally, we show that both Australian species most likely represent cryptic species complexes, which are in need of further taxonomic revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan N Bolotov
- Northern Arctic Federal University, 163002, Arkhangelsk, Russia. .,Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia.
| | - Alexander V Kondakov
- Northern Arctic Federal University, 163002, Arkhangelsk, Russia.,Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia
| | - Vitaly M Spitsyn
- Northern Arctic Federal University, 163002, Arkhangelsk, Russia.,Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia
| | - Mikhail Yu Gofarov
- Northern Arctic Federal University, 163002, Arkhangelsk, Russia.,Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia
| | - Yulia S Kolosova
- Northern Arctic Federal University, 163002, Arkhangelsk, Russia.,Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia
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6
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Diseases Primarily Affecting the Reproductive System. Vet Med (Auckl) 2017. [PMCID: PMC7150237 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-5246-0.00018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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7
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Perkins LE, Zalucki MP, Perkins NR, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Todhunter KH, Bryden WL, Cribb BW. The urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, an Australian processionary caterpillar of veterinary importance. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 30:241-5. [PMID: 26669823 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The bag-shelter moth, Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich-Schaffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), is associated with a condition called equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL) on horse farms in Australia. Setal fragments from O. lunifer larvae have been identified in the placentas of experimentally aborted fetuses and their dams, and in clinical abortions. The gregarious larvae build silken nests in which large numbers cohabit over spring, summer and autumn. The final instars disperse to pupation sites in the ground where they overwinter. Field-collected O. lunifer larvae, their nests and nearby soil were examined using light and electron microscopy to identify setae likely to cause EAFL and to determine where and how many were present. Microtrichia, barbed hairs and true setae were found on the exoskeletons of the larvae. True setae matching the majority of setal fragments described from equine tissue were found on third to eighth instar larvae or exuviae. The number of true setae increased with the age of the larva; eighth instars carried around 2.0-2.5 million true setae. The exuvia of the pre-pupal instar was incorporated into the pupal chamber. The major sources of setae are likely to be nests, dispersing pre-pupal larvae and their exuviae, and pupal chambers.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Perkins
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M P Zalucki
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - N R Perkins
- AusVet Animal Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - A J Cawdell-Smith
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - W L Bryden
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - B W Cribb
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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8
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Todhunter KH, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Bryden WL, Perkins NR, Begg AP. Processionary Caterpillar Setae and Equine Fetal Loss. Vet Pathol 2014; 51:1131-42. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985813516639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pregnant mares were experimentally exposed to whole caterpillar or exoskeleton of the Processionary caterpillar ( Ochrogaster lunifer) via gavage. Tissues were collected from resulting abortions and near or full-term pregnancies consisting of 13 aborted fetuses, 3 fetuses from treated euthanized mares, membranes of 5 foals, and organs from 3 foals. Three control membranes and 1 control fetus and membranes were examined. Caterpillar setal fragments were present in the allantochorion of the 3 fetuses from the euthanized mares and 11 of 12 aborted fetuses (92%) embedded in the chorion (villi or stroma) or allantois (vasculature or stroma). Placental locations of fragments ranged from the cervical pole region to the body encompassing the umbilical insertion and pregnant horn. Numbers in each fetus ranged from 1 to 7 fragments. Setae were present in the allantochorion from 2 to 22 days after the initial treatment. Acute to chronic active inflammation was present in all aborted fetuses, all euthanized fetuses, and within at least 1 tissue level (chorion, allantois, umbilical cord, or amnion) of the membranes from full-term foals. Amnionitis, funisitis, and allantoitis were present in 95% of the examined membranes. Pneumonia was present in 95% of the specimens, and bacteria were present histologically in 90.5% of the specimens with or without accompanying inflammation. The rapid migration of setae within 2 days after mare exposure suggests that direct setal migration into the fetal membranes is a likely initiating factor for equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL).
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Affiliation(s)
- K. H. Todhunter
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - A. J. Cawdell-Smith
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - W. L. Bryden
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - N. R. Perkins
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- AusVet Animal Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
| | - A. P. Begg
- Vetnostics, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Causes of abortion in Australia (2005-2012) – proportion of cases due to Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss (EAFL). J Equine Vet Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2013.10.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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10
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Todhunter KH, Cawdell-Smith AJ, Bryden WL, Perkins NR, Begg AP. Processionary caterpillar setae and equine fetal loss: 1. Histopathology of experimentally exposed pregnant mares. Vet Pathol 2013; 51:1117-30. [PMID: 24379221 DOI: 10.1177/0300985813516638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Six pregnant Standardbred mares aged between 6 and 14 years were gavaged with 50 g or 100 g of suspended emulsified whole Processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer) for 5 days during 2 experiments undertaken to study the etiology of equine amnionitis and fetal loss (EAFL). The 6 treated mares and 1 untreated mare were between 128 and 252 days gestation. Mare 1 (untreated) was euthanized on day 5 of the treatment period, while the treated mares were euthanized on days 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, and 24 days from their first treatment. Caterpillar setae were not found in the untreated mare. Setal fragments were present in all regions of the gastrointestinal tracts in all treated mares, the uteri and mesenteric lymph nodes of 5 mares, and the liver of 4 mares. Acute gastroenteritis of varying severity was present in all treated mares, and 5 of 6 mares had acute colitis and endometritis. Focal hyperplastic serositis was found in the duodenum, cecum, dorsal colon, and uteri of various mares occasionally with embedded setal fragments. Setal invasion of the mucosa evoked a range of lesions including superficial erosion to deep ulceration. Inflammation in deeper tissues ranged from unapparent to neutrophilic (microabscesses), eosinophilic, or mononuclear (microgranulomas). The finding of setal fragments within the uterus of experimental mares suggests that direct migration of setal fragments acting as a bacterial vector is a likely mechanism for the bacterial abortions that characterize equine amnionitis and fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Todhunter
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland, Australia
| | - A J Cawdell-Smith
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland, Australia
| | - W L Bryden
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland, Australia
| | - N R Perkins
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Queensland, Australia AusVet Animal Health Services, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
| | - A P Begg
- Vetnostics, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Todhunter KH, Muscatello G, Blishen AJ, Chicken C, Perkins NR, Gilkerson JR, Begg AP. Bacteria isolated from field cases of equine amnionitis and fetal loss. Aust Vet J 2013; 91:138-42. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- KH Todhunter
- Tails and Scales Veterinary Services; Scone; NSW; Australia
| | - G Muscatello
- Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory; School of Veterinary Science; The University of Melbourne; Victoria; Australia
| | - AJ Blishen
- Scone Veterinary Hospital; Scone; NSW; Australia
| | - C Chicken
- Scone Veterinary Hospital; Scone; NSW; Australia
| | - NR Perkins
- AusVet Animal Health Services; Toowoomba; Queensland; Australia
| | - JR Gilkerson
- Equine Infectious Disease Laboratory; School of Veterinary Science; The University of Melbourne; Victoria; Australia
| | - AP Begg
- Vetnostics; North Ryde; NSW; Australia
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12
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Cawdell-Smith AJ, Todhunter KH, Perkins NR, Bryden WL. Exposure of mares to processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer) in early pregnancy: An additional dimension to equine amnionitis and fetal loss. Equine Vet J 2013; 45:755-60. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Cawdell-Smith
- Equine Research Unit; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences; The University of Queensland; Australia
| | - K. H. Todhunter
- Equine Research Unit; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences; The University of Queensland; Australia
| | | | - W. L. Bryden
- Equine Research Unit; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences; The University of Queensland; Australia
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13
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Volpato G, Di Nardo A, Rossi D, Saleh SML, Broglia A. 'Everybody knows', but the rest of the world: the case of a caterpillar-borne reproductive loss syndrome in dromedary camels observed by Sahrawi pastoralists of Western Sahara. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2013; 9:5. [PMID: 23305273 PMCID: PMC3561205 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-9-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The traditional knowledge of local communities throughout the world is a valuable source of novel ideas and information to science. In this study, the ethnoveterinary knowledge of Sahrawi pastoralists of Western Sahara has been used in order to put forward a scientific hypothesis regarding the competitive interactions between camels and caterpillars in the Sahara ecosystem. METHODS Between 2005 and 2009, 44 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Sahrawi pastoralists in the territories administered by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Western Sahara, using a snow-ball sampling design. RESULTS Sahrawi pastoralists reported the existence of a caterpillar-borne reproductive loss syndrome, known locally as duda, affecting their camels. On the basis of Sahrawi knowledge about duda and of a thorough literature review, we built the hypothesis that: 1) caterpillars of the family Lasiocampidae (genera Lasiocampa, Psilogaster, or Streblote) have sudden and rare outbreaks on Acacia treetops in the Western Sahara ecosystem after heavy rainfall; 2) during these outbreaks, camels ingest the caterpillars while browsing; 3) as a consequence of this ingestion, pregnant camels have sudden abortions or give birth to weaklings. This hypothesis was supported by inductive reasoning built on circumstantiated evidence and analogical reasoning with similar syndromes reported in mares in the United States and Australia. CONCLUSIONS The possible existence of a caterpillar-borne reproductive loss syndrome among camels has been reported for the first time, suggesting that such syndromes might be more widespread than what is currently known. Further research is warranted to validate the reported hypothesis. Finally, the importance of studying folk livestock diseases is reinforced in light of its usefulness in revealing as yet unknown biological phenomena that would deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Volpato
- Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Antonello Di Nardo
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, UK
| | - Davide Rossi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Africa ‘70 (International Non-Governmental Organization), Monza, (MI), Italy
| | - Saleh M Lamin Saleh
- Sahrawi Veterinary Services, Ministry of Public Health, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Rabouni, Algeria
| | - Alessandro Broglia
- SIVtro Vétérinaires Sans Frontières, Italy, Legnaro, (PD), Italy
- Africa ‘70 (International Non-Governmental Organization), Monza, (MI), Italy
- Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards, European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy
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14
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Foote AK, Ricketts SW, Whitwell KE. A racing start in life? The hurdles of equine feto-placental pathology. Equine Vet J 2012:120-9. [PMID: 22594040 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00507.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Significant progress has been made in understanding and monitoring the causes of equine abortion over past decades. However, not all in utero pathology results in abortion. It has long been recognised that some in utero pathology, such as twinning or chronic placentitis, can result in the birth of live but growth-retarded foals and there is historical evidence that birth weight may influence future athletic performance. Clinical experience (e.g. from twins) and experimental studies (pony-Thoroughbred embryo transfer) have highlighted the importance of reduced functional placental area in limiting growth in utero in horses. Many other nonfatal in utero pathologies (e.g. umbilical cord-related circulatory compromise) can potentially affect either placental function or other organ systems. Their influence on the short- and long-term health of the foal and its future athletic performance is in many cases poorly documented or understood. This review summarises the main causes of in utero pathology and reflects on how these may potentially affect the foal if born alive, highlighting the need for long-term studies on this important subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Foote
- Beaufort Cottage Laboratories, Rossdale and Partners, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
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15
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Cawdell-Smith AJ, Todhunter KH, Anderson ST, Perkins NR, Bryden WL. Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: mare abortion following experimental exposure to Processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer). Equine Vet J 2011; 44:282-8. [PMID: 21815917 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00424.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY In Australia, there have been recent reports of unusual abortions in mid- to late-gestation mares. These were clinically distinct from other recognised causes of pregnancy loss and the term 'equine amnionitis and fetal loss' (EAFL) was adopted to describe this syndrome. Initial investigations concluded that possible causal factors included the presence on affected stud farms of Processionary caterpillars (Ochrogaster lunifer). OBJECTIVES To determine if exposure of pregnant mares to Processionary caterpillars or their shed exoskeletons can induce EAFL. METHODS Processionary caterpillars and their shed exoskeletons were collected and stored frozen. Mid-gestation mares were dosed with a slurry of caterpillars or shed exoskeleton by nasogastric intubation. Their clinical responses and times to abortion were recorded. All aborted fetuses were autopsied and samples taken for bacteriological and virological culture and histopathology. RESULTS Intubating mares in mid-pregnancy with preparations of either whole Processionary caterpillars or shed caterpillar exoskeletons induced abortion with few impending clinical signs. The gross pathological and bacteriological findings of the aborted fetuses were similar to those observed in field cases of EAFL. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Possible exposure to Processionary caterpillars should be considered when examining cases of fetal loss in the mare. The present results provide a starting point to further explore the aetiology and pathogenesis of EAFL.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Cawdell-Smith
- Equine Research Unit, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
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Jackson A. IN THIS ISSUE - January/February 2009. Aust Vet J 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2008.01345.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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