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Pusterla N, Dorman DC, Burgess BA, Goehring L, Gross M, Osterrieder K, Soboll Hussey G, Lunn DP. Viremia and nasal shedding for the diagnosis of equine herpesvirus-1 infection in domesticated horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:1765-1791. [PMID: 38069548 PMCID: PMC11099742 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is associated with upper respiratory disease, EHM, abortions, and neonatal death. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Are nasal secretions a more sensitive biological sample compared to blood for the detection of EHV-1 infection? How long is EHV-1 detectable after primary infection by PCR? METHODS MedLine and Web of Science searches identified original peer-reviewed reports evaluating nasal shedding and viremia using virus isolation methods or PCR published in English before October 9, 2023. RESULTS Sixty experimental and 20 observational studies met inclusion criteria. EHV-1 detection frequency by qPCR in nasal secretions and blood from naturally-infected horses with fever and respiratory signs were 15% and 9%, respectively; qPCR detection rates in nasal secretions and blood from horses with suspected EHM were 94% and 70%, respectively. In experimental studies the sensitivity of qPCR matched or exceeded that seen for virus isolation from either nasal secretions or blood. Detection of nasal shedding typically occurred within 2 days after EHV-1 inoculation with a detection period of 3 to 7 days. Viremia lasted 2 to 7 days and was usually detected ≥1 days after positive identification of EHV-1 in nasal secretions. Nasal shedding and viremia decreased over time and remained detectable in some horses for several weeks after inoculation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Under experimental conditions, blood and nasal secretions have similar sensitivity for the detection of EHV-1 when horses are sampled on multiple consecutive days. In contrast, in observational studies detection of EHV-1 in nasal secretions was consistently more successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - David C. Dorman
- College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Lutz Goehring
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research CenterUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Margaret Gross
- College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- College of Veterinary MedicineMichigan State University, Veterinary Medical CenterEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - David P. Lunn
- School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of Liverpool, Leahurst CampusNestonUK
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Stasi D, Wagner B, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Comparison of antibody and antigen response to intranasal and intramuscular EHV-1 modified-live vaccination in healthy adult horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 133:104992. [PMID: 38160702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
During neurological EHV-1 outbreaks, modified-live vaccines (MLV) are often administrated intranasally in an off-label fashion to healthy cohort horses in order to achieve rapid mucosal immunity. Thus, the goal of the present study was to determine if a commercially available EHV-1 MLV given intranasally to healthy horses would trigger a measurable systemic and/or mucosal antibody response. Eight healthy adult horses were given the EHV-1 MLV vaccine intranasally, while 8 healthy adult horses received the vaccine intramuscularly. An additional 8 healthy horses served as unvaccinated controls. EHV-1 specific antibodies (total IgG, IgG4/7, IgG1 and IgA) were measured in blood and nasal secretions prior to vaccine administration and 14- and 30-days post-vaccine administration. Further, nasal secretions and whole blood were tested for the presence of EHV-1 DNA by qPCR prior to and 5 days after vaccine administration. EHV-1 was detected by qPCR for the first 48 hours post-intranasal vaccine administration in nasal secretions in a total of three horses. Total EHV-1 IgG and IgG4/7 antibody values in serum increased only in horses receiving the intramuscular MLV. Antibody values at 14- and 30-days post vaccine administration were not different from values prior to vaccine administration in horses receiving the intranasal vaccine. The results support the intramuscular use of the EHV-1 MLV as recommended by the manufacturer. Intranasal vaccination with the study-specific EHV-1 MLV did not induce an increase in systemic or nasal antibodies, therefore, this vaccine route seems suboptimal and should not be used to vaccinate adult horses that have received multiple EHV-1 vaccinations and have pre-existing antibodies against EHV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Stasi
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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Pusterla N, Kalscheur M, Peters D, Bidwell L, Holtz S, Barnum S, Lawton K, Morrissey M, Schumacher S. Investigation of the Frequency of Detection of Common Respiratory Pathogens in Nasal Secretions and Environment of Healthy Sport Horses Attending a Multi-Week Show Event during the Summer Months. Viruses 2023; 15:1225. [PMID: 37376525 DOI: 10.3390/v15061225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Little information is presently available regarding the frequency of the silent shedders of respiratory viruses in healthy sport horses and their impact on environmental contamination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the detection frequency of selected respiratory pathogens in nasal secretions and environmental stall samples of sport horses attending a multi-week equestrian event during the summer months. Six out of fifteen tents were randomly selected for the study with approximately 20 horse/stall pairs being sampled on a weekly basis. Following weekly collection for a total of 11 weeks, all samples were tested for the presence of common respiratory pathogens (EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4, ERAV, ERBV, and Streptococcus equi ss equi (S. equi)) using qPCR. A total of 19/682 nasal swabs (2.8%) and 28/1288 environmental stall sponges (2.2%) tested qPCR-positive for common respiratory pathogens. ERBV was the most common respiratory virus (17 nasal swabs, 28 stall sponges) detected, followed by EHV-4 (1 nasal swab) and S. equi (1 nasal swab). EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4 and ERAV were not detected in any of the study horses or stalls. Only one horse and one stall tested qPCR-positive for ERBV on two consecutive weeks. All the other qPCR-positive sample results were related to individual time points. Furthermore, only one horse/stall pair tested qPCR-positive for ERBV at a single time point. The study results showed that in a selected population of sport horses attending a multi-week equestrian event in the summer, the frequency of the shedding of respiratory viruses was low and primarily restricted to ERBV with little evidence of active transmission and environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Duncan Peters
- East-West Equine Sports Medicine, Lexington, KY 40583, USA
| | - Lori Bidwell
- East-West Equine Sports Medicine, Lexington, KY 40583, USA
| | - Sara Holtz
- East-West Equine Sports Medicine, Lexington, KY 40583, USA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kaila Lawton
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Matt Morrissey
- Morrissey Management Group, LLC, Wellington, FL 33414, USA
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SUPERFICIAL CERVICAL LYMPHADENITIS ASSOCIATED WITH STREPTOCOCCUS PHOCAE IN FIVE COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS): A CASE SERIES. J Zoo Wildl Med 2023; 54:192-201. [PMID: 36971645 DOI: 10.1638/2022-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Between 2009 and 2018, five common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at the US Navy Marine Mammal Program presented with superficial cervical lymphadenitis. Clinical findings included ultrasonographic evidence of cervical lymph node enlargement, severe leukocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and reduced serum iron. Three of the dolphins presented with clinicopathologic changes without presence of clinical signs, and the other two cases additionally presented with partial to complete anorexia, lethargy, and refusal to participate in training sessions. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration or biopsy of the affected lymph nodes yielded Streptococcus phocae by PCR in all cases, and the organism was cultured in one of five cases. Animals were treated with a combination of enteral, parenteral, intralesional antimicrobial, or a combination of those therapies and supportive care. Time to resolution of clinical disease ranged between 62 and 188 days. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Streptococcus phocae cervical lymphadenitis in cetaceans. Streptococcus phocae lymphadenitis should be a differential for cervical lymphadenopathy in this species, especially when associated with pronounced systemic inflammation and a history of potential exposure.
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Chhabra D, Bhatia T, Goutam U, Manuja A, Kumar B. Strangles in equines: An overview. Microb Pathog 2023; 178:106070. [PMID: 36924902 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Strangles, caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, is a highly infectious respiratory disease affecting horses and other equines. The disease is economically important and compromises the productivity of equine farm significantly. The disease is characterized by pyrexia, mucopurulent nasal discharge, and abscess formation in the lymph nodes of the head and neck of horses. The disease transmission occurs either directly by coming in contact with infectious exudates or indirectly via fomite transmission. Besides this, carrier animals are the primary and most problematic source of disease infection. The organism not only initiates outbreaks but also makes the control and prevention of the disease difficult. The diagnosis of strangles is best done by isolating and characterizing the bacteria from nasal discharge, pus from abscesses, and lymphoid tissues or by using PCR. ELISA can also be used to detect serum protein M (SeM) antibodies for diagnosis. The most popular treatment for strangles is with penicillin; however, the treatment is affected by the stage, feature and severity of the disease. Prevention and control of strangles can be achieved through vaccination and good hygiene practices. Basically, this review describes the global prevalence of S. equi, as well as general aspects of the disease, like pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, control and management of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharvi Chhabra
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, 125001, India
| | - Tanvi Bhatia
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, 125001, India
| | - Umesh Goutam
- Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Anju Manuja
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, 125001, India.
| | - Balvinder Kumar
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, 125001, India.
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Spann K, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Investigation of the Systemic Antibody Response and Antigen Detection Following Intranasal Administration of Two Commercial Equine Herpesvirus-1 Vaccines to Adult Horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 122:104229. [PMID: 36657628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
EHV-1 vaccines are often administered intranasally during emergency situation such as outbreaks of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. However, there is currently no data available on the efficacy of such protocols, nor the diagnostic challenge when recently vaccinated horses become clinically infected and nasal secretions are collected to support a diagnosis of EHV-1 infection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if two commercially available EHV-1 vaccines, a killed-adjuvanted (Calvenza) and a modified-live (Rhinomune) EHV-1 vaccine, could induce a measurable systemic antibody response postintranasal administration. A second objective was to determine the detection time of EHV-1 in nasal secretions by qPCR following the intranasal administration of the respective EHV-1 vaccines. Thirty healthy adult horses, with no recent EHV-1 vaccine administration, were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Rhinomune group, Calvenza group, and unvaccinated control group. Total Ig and isotype-specific IgG4/7 against EHV-1 measured pre- and 30-days post-vaccination were not different amongst the three study groups. Vaccine-derived EHV-1 was only detected in the two EHV-1 vaccine groups with 9/10 horses in the Rhinomune group and 8/10 horses in the Calvenza group testing qPCR-positive for EHV-1 for 1 to 3 days. There was no significant difference in number of horses testing qPCR-positive for EHV-1 and absolute quantitation of EHV-1 in nasal secretions by qPCR between the two vaccine groups. The intranasal administration of two commercial EHV-1 vaccines did not elicit a systemic immune response. Further, vaccine derived EHV-1 could be detected in the majority of the intranasally vaccinated horses, potentially impacting diagnostic interpretation of EHV-1 during outbreak situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy Spann
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA.
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Chappell DE, Barnett DC, James K, Craig B, Bain F, Gaughan E, Schneider C, Vaala W, Barnum SM, Pusterla N. Voluntary Surveillance Program for Equine Influenza Virus in the United States during 2008-2021. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020192. [PMID: 36839464 PMCID: PMC9961984 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A voluntary upper respiratory biosurveillance program in the USA received 9740 nasal swab submissions during the years 2008-2021 from 333 veterinarians and veterinary clinics. The nasal swabs were submitted for qPCR testing for six common upper respiratory pathogens:equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4), Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi), equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV). Additional testing was performed for equine gamma herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) and equine gamma herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) and the results are reported. Basic frequency statistics and multivariate logistic regression models were utilized to determine the associations between risk factors and EIV positivity. The EIV qPCR-positivity rate was 9.9%. Equids less than 9 years of age with a recent history of travel and seasonal occurrence in winter and spring were the most common population that were qPCR positive for EIV. This ongoing biosurveillance program emphasizes the need for molecular testing for pathogen identification, which is critical for decisions associated with therapeutics and biosecurity intervention for health management and vaccine evaluations and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duane E. Chappell
- Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ 07940, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-866-349-3497
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Samantha M. Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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8
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Voluntary Biosurveillance of Streptococcus equi Subsp. equi in Nasal Secretions of 9409 Equids with Upper Airway Infection in the USA. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020078. [PMID: 36851382 PMCID: PMC9962190 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to describe selected epidemiological aspects of horses with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs testing qPCR-positive for S. equi and to determine the effect of vaccination against S. equi on qPCR status. Horses with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs from all regions of the United States were included in a voluntary biosurveillance program from 2008 to 2020 and nasal secretions were tested via qPCR for S. equi and common respiratory viruses. A total of 715/9409 equids (7.6%) tested qPCR-positive for S. equi, with 226 horses showing coinfections with EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4, and ERBV. The median age for the S. equi qPCR-positive horses was 8 ± 4 years and there was significant difference when compared to the median age of the S. equi qPCR-negative horses (6 ± 2 years; p = 0.004). Quarter Horse, Warmblood, and Thoroughbred were the more frequent breed in this horse population, and these breeds were more likely to test qPCR-positive for S. equi compared to other breeds. There was not statistical difference for sex between S. equi qPCR-positive and qPCR-negative horses. Horses used for competition and ranch/farm use were more likely to test qPCR-positive for S. equi (p = 0.006). Horses that tested S. equi qPCR-positive were more likely to display nasal discharge, fever, lethargy, anorexia, and ocular discharge compared to horses that tested S. equi qPCR-negative (p = 0.001). Vaccination against S. equi was associated with a lower frequency of S. equi qPCR-positive status.
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9
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Frequency of Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Clinically Healthy Show Horses Following a Multi-County Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 Myeloencephalopathy in California. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101161. [PMID: 36297218 PMCID: PMC9612363 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101161] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Actively shedding healthy horses have been indicated as a possible source of respiratory pathogen outbreak, transmission, and spread. Using nasal swabs from clinically healthy sport horses submitted for qPCR testing after an outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in the spring of 2022, this study aimed to identify the rate of clinically healthy horses shedding common and less characterized respiratory pathogens within the sport horse population to better understand their role in outbreaks. Swabs were collected during a required quarantine and testing period, according to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), and showed return-to-competition requirements. Common respiratory pathogens, such as equine influenza virus (EIV), EHV-4, and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), were found at low but stable frequencies within previously reported ranges, whereas EHV-1 and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) were found at or above previously reported frequencies. Less characterized respiratory pathogens, such as EHV-2, EHV-5, and S. equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus), were found within previously reported ranges. Common respiratory pathogens, especially EHV-1 following the multiple EHM outbreaks, were found to be circulating in clinically healthy sport horse populations, reflecting their silent transmission. The strategy of quarantine and EHV-1 qPCR testing of clinically healthy horses was successful at eliminating additional EHM outbreaks and facilitating safe return to competition with no reported respiratory disease outbreaks following the subsequent shows in California.
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Ahearne MM, Pentzke-Lemus LL, Romano AM, Larsen ED, Watson AM, O'Fallon EA, Landolt GA. Disease progression, pathologic, and virologic findings of an equine influenza outbreak in rescue donkeys. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:2230-2237. [PMID: 36205917 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine influenza virus is a common cause of respiratory disease in equids. Few reports describe clinical presentation and disease progression in donkeys. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Describe the clinical and diagnostic findings, outcome, and pathologic lesions associated with influenza pneumonia in donkeys. ANIMALS Thirteen unvaccinated donkeys ranging from 1 week to 12 years of age and sharing clinical signs and exposure history. METHODS Retrospective case series. Medical records from June to July 2020 at the Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital and collaborating referring veterinary practices were reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed by molecular testing, virus isolation, and partial genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the virus. RESULTS Survival in donkeys <1 year old was 16.6% (1/6) whereas survival in animals >1 year of age was 85.7% (6/7). Hemagglutinin gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed a contemporary clade 1 Florida sublineage H3 virus as the causative agent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Clinical signs of equine influenza virus infection in donkeys are similar to those observed in horses. Prognosis for survival generally is good, but deaths have been observed especially in foals born to seronegative dams. This finding emphasizes the importance of prenatal vaccination protocols in all equids, including donkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Ahearne
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Ligia L Pentzke-Lemus
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Ashley M Romano
- Department of of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Eileen D Larsen
- Department of of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Allison M Watson
- Department of of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Elsbeth A O'Fallon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Gabriele A Landolt
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.,Department of of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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11
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Pusterla N, Sandler-Burtness E, Barnum S, Hill LA, Mendonsa E, Khan R, Portener D, Ridland H, Schumacher S. Frequency of detection of respiratory pathogens in nasal secretions from healthy sport horses attending a spring show in California. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 117:104089. [PMID: 35908600 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine detection frequency of respiratory viruses (equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5, equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), ERBV) and bacteria (Streptococcus equi ss. equi (S. equi), S. equi ss. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus)) in 162 nasal secretions and 149 stall swabs from healthy sport horses attending a spring show in California. Nasal and stall swabs were collected at a single time point and analyzed using qPCR. The detection frequency of respiratory pathogens in nasal secretions was 38.9% for EHV-2, 36.4% for EHV-5, 19.7% for S. zooepidemicus, 1.2% for ERBV, 0.6% for S. equi and 0% for EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4 and ERAV. The detection frequency of respiratory pathogens in stall swabs was 65.8% for S. zooepidemicus, 33.5% for EHV-2, 27.5% for EHV-5, 3.3% for EHV-1, 1.3% for EHV-4 and 0% for EIV, ERAV, ERBV and S. equi. Commensal viruses and bacteria were frequently detected in nasal secretions and stall swabs from healthy sport horses. This was in sharp contrast to the subclinical shedding of well-characterized respiratory pathogens. Of interest was the clustering of five EHV-1 qPCR-positive stalls from apparently healthy horses with no evidence of clinical spread. The results highlight the role of subclinical shedders in introducing respiratory pathogens to shows and their role in environmental contamination. The results also highlight the need to improve cleanliness and disinfection of stalls utilized by performance horses during show events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | | | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Leigh Ann Hill
- Pacific Coast Equine Veterinary Services, Ramona, CA, USA
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12
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Frequency of Detection and Prevalence Factors Associated with Common Respiratory Pathogens in Equids with Acute Onset of Fever and/or Respiratory Signs (2008–2021). Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11070759. [PMID: 35890002 PMCID: PMC9317490 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A voluntary biosurveillance program was established in 2008 in order to determine the shedding frequency and prevalence factors for common respiratory pathogens associated with acute onset of fever and/or respiratory signs in equids from the USA. Over a period of 13 years, a total of 10,296 equids were enrolled in the program and nasal secretions were analyzed for the qPCR detection of equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), EHV-4, equine rhinitis A and B virus (ERVs), and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). Single infections with respiratory pathogens were detected in 21.1% of the submissions with EIV (6.8%) and EHV-4 (6.6%) as the two most prevalent viruses, followed by S. equi (4.7%), ERVs (2.3%), and EHV-1 (0.7%). Multiple pathogens were detected in 274 horses (2.7%) and no respiratory pathogens in 7836 horses (76.2%). Specific prevalence factors were determined for each of the six respiratory pathogen groups; most differences were associated with age, breed, and use of the horses, while the clinical signs were fairly consistent between viral and bacterial respiratory infections. Monitoring the frequency of detection of common respiratory pathogens is important in order to gain a better understanding of their epidemiology and to implement management practices aimed at controlling disease spread.
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Lee SK, Choi J, Yoon J, Jung J, Park JY, Park J, Kim Y, Park JY, Park D. Molecular Detection of Equine Adenovirus 1 in Nasal Swabs from Horses in the Republic of Korea. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9040187. [PMID: 35448685 PMCID: PMC9025330 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9040187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1) can cause upper respiratory disease in horses and has been reported worldwide. In this study, and for the first time in Korea, the prevalence of EAdV-1 in equine nasal swabs was investigated using a PCR to identify potential risk factors and examine the genetic diversity of its DNA sequences by a comparison with foreign strains. Nasal swabs collected from 359 horses reared at Korea Racing Authority facilities were tested using an EAdV-1 hexon-specific PCR and the associations between EAdV-1 infection and sex, age, region, breed, and activity were analyzed. Five samples (1.4%, 5/359) tested positive for EAdV-1; however, no statistically significant differences were observed with respect to any variable. Among the five EAdV-1-positive horses, a co-infection with equine influenza, equine herpesvirus 1 and 4, or Streptococcus equi was not detected; however, clinical respiratory signs were observed in one. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial EAdV-1 hexon gene sequences revealed that the Korean EAdV-1 isolates shared approximately 98.8–100% similarity among each other and with foreign strains. Three Korean isolates shared high similarity with strains from Australia and India and the remaining two isolates were separate in phylogenetic analyses. These findings highlight the molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of EAdV-1 in horses in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Kyu Lee
- Veterinary Center, Korea Racing Authority, Gwacheon 13822, Korea; (S.-K.L.); (Y.K.)
| | - Jeechan Choi
- Busan Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Authority, Busan 46745, Korea;
| | - Jungho Yoon
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Regional Headquarter, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (J.Y.); (J.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Jaemin Jung
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Regional Headquarter, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (J.Y.); (J.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Joon-Young Park
- Jangsu Equine Hospital, Korea Racing Authority, Jangsu 55620, Korea;
| | - Jongyoung Park
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Regional Headquarter, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju 63346, Korea; (J.Y.); (J.J.); (J.P.)
| | - Yeonjong Kim
- Veterinary Center, Korea Racing Authority, Gwacheon 13822, Korea; (S.-K.L.); (Y.K.)
| | - Ji-Young Park
- Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea;
| | - Dongsun Park
- Department of Biology Education, Korea National University of Education, Cheongju 28173, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-43-230-3652
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An Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-4 in an Ecological Donkey Milk Farm in Romania. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030468. [PMID: 35335100 PMCID: PMC8953855 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesviruses are important pathogens causing significant economic loss in equine and asinine populations. EHV-1/4 strains are mainly associated with respiratory distress. The aim of this study is to report the first EHV 4-associated respiratory disease in donkeys in Romania. Thirty-seven of three hundred jennies in an ecological donkey farm in southwest Romania started initially showing signs of severe upper respiratory tract disease, with ten concomitant late abortions/neonatal deaths and three neurological cases. There were nine fatalities. Pathological examination was performed, and samples were collected for Real-Time PCR analysis and histology. In addition, serum samples from 28 individuals with respiratory symptoms were collected and tested using indirect ELISA. RT-PCR identified the EHV-4 strain. Acute, diffuse necrotizing bronchointerstitial pneumonia with occasional intraepithelial intranuclear viral inclusion bodies was identified. Additionally, EHV-1/4-specific antibodies were found in 15 of the 28 sampled animals. Few studies on donkeys and herpesviruses have been published, and this is the first reported case of EHV-4 outbreak in Romania. There is a need for more extensive seroprevalence studies as, currently, the status of EHV-4 infection in donkeys in Romania is unknown.
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Lee K, Pusterla N, Barnum SM, Lee DH, Martínez-López B. Investigation of cross-regional spread and evolution of equine influenza H3N8 at US and global scales using Bayesian phylogeography based on balanced subsampling. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1734-e1748. [PMID: 35263501 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a highly contagious pathogen of equids, and a well-known burden in global equine health. EIV H3N8 variants seasonally emerged and resulted in EIV outbreaks in the United States (US) and worldwide. The present study evaluated the pattern of cross-regional EIV H3N8 spread and evolutionary characteristics at US and global scales using Bayesian phylogeography with balanced subsampling based on regional horse population size. A total of 297 Haemagglutinin (HA) sequences of global EIV H3N8 were collected from 1963 to 2019 and subsampled to global subset (n = 67), raw US sequences (n = 100) and US subset (n = 44) datasets. Discrete trait phylogeography analysis was used to estimate the transmission history of EIV using four global and US genome datasets. The North American lineage was the major source of globally dominant EIV variants and spread to other global regions. The US EIV strains generally spread from the southern and midwestern regions to other regions. The EIV H3N8 accumulated approximately three nucleotide substitutions per year in the HA gene under heterogenous local positive selection. Our findings will guide better decision making of target intervention strategies of EIV H3N8 infection and provide the better scheme of genomic surveillance in the US and global equine health. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuyoung Lee
- Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS), Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Samantha M Barnum
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Dong-Hun Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Beatriz Martínez-López
- Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS), Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
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Lawton KOY, Arthur RM, Moeller BC, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Investigation of the Role of Healthy and Sick Equids in the COVID-19 Pandemic through Serological and Molecular Testing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050614. [PMID: 35268183 PMCID: PMC8909032 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The objective of the present study was to determine if horses are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Nasal swabs from 667 equids with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs were tested by qPCR for SARS-CoV-2. Further, 633 serum samples collected from a cohort of 587 healthy racing Thoroughbreds with possible exposure to humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection were tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using an ELISA targeting the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. All 667 horses with fever and respiratory signs tested qPCR-negative for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 35/587 (5.9%) Thoroughbred racing horses had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. While horses appear to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 when in close contact with humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical disease was not observed in the study horses. Experimental challenge studies using pure inocula are needed in order to study the clinical, hematological, molecular, and serological features of adult horses infected with SARS-CoV-2. Abstract More and more studies are reporting on the natural transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans with COVID-19 and their companion animals (dogs and cats). While horses are apparently susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the homology between the human and the equine ACE-2 receptor, no clinical or subclinical infection has yet been reported in the equine species. To investigate the possible clinical role of SARS-CoV-2 in equids, nasal secretions from 667 horses with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by qPCR. The samples were collected from January to December of 2020 and submitted to a commercial molecular diagnostic laboratory for the detection of common respiratory pathogens (equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus-1/-4, equine rhinitis A and B virus, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi). An additional 633 serum samples were tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using an ELISA targeting the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. The serum samples were collected from a cohort of 587 healthy racing Thoroughbreds in California after track personnel tested qPCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. While 241/667 (36%) equids with fever and respiratory signs tested qPCR-positive for at least one of the common respiratory pathogens, not a single horse tested qPCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. Amongst the racing Thoroughbreds, 35/587 (5.9%) horses had detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Similar to dogs and cats, horses do not seem to develop clinical SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, horses can act as incidental hosts and experience silent infection following spillover from humans with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2-infected humans should avoid close contact with equids during the time of their illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila O. Y. Lawton
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
| | - Rick M. Arthur
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Benjamin C. Moeller
- KL Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-752-1039
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Jaramillo C, Gomez DE, Renaud D, Arroyo LG. culture prevalence, associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility in a horse population from Colombia. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 111:103890. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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18
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Investigation of Three Newly Identified Equine Parvoviruses in Blood and Nasal Fluid Samples of Clinically Healthy Horses and Horses with Acute Onset of Respiratory Disease. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11103006. [PMID: 34680025 PMCID: PMC8532786 DOI: 10.3390/ani11103006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The objective of the present study was to determine the molecular frequency of three recently identified parvoviruses (equine parvovirus hepatitis, equine parvovirus CSF and equine copivirus) in blood and respiratory secretions of 667 equids with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs and 87 clinically healthy horses. One hundred and seventeen sick horses tested qPCR-positive for at least one of the three parvoviruses. Ten clinically healthy horses tested qPCR-positive for one of the equine parvoviruses. The frequency of detection of the three equine parvoviruses was similar between sick and clinically healthy horses, suggesting that these newly characterized viruses do not appear to contribute to the clinical picture of equids with respiratory disease. In order to prove the clinical relevance of any of these newly identified equine parvoviruses, experimental challenge studies using pure, clonal inocula will be required. Abstract Three newly identified equine parvoviruses (equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H), equine parvovirus CSF (EqPV-CSF) and equine copivirus (Eqcopivirus)) have recently been discovered in horses with respiratory signs. However, the clinical impact of these three equine parvoviruses has yet to be determined. Nasal fluid samples and blood from 667 equids with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs submitted to a diagnostic laboratory were analyzed for the presence of common equine respiratory pathogens (equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus-1/-4, equine rhinitis A and B virus, S. equi subspecies equi) as well as EqPV-H, EqPV-CSF and Eqcopivirus by qPCR. An additional 87 clinically healthy horses served as controls. One hundred and seventeen sick horses tested qPCR-positive for at least one of the three parvoviruses. Co-infections with common respiratory pathogens and parvoviruses were seen in 39 sick equids. All 87 clinically healthy horses tested qPCR-negative for all tested common respiratory pathogens and 10 healthy horses tested qPCR-positive for one of the equine parvoviruses. When the frequency of detection for EqPV-H, EqPV-CSF and Eqcopivirus of equids with respiratory signs was compared to that of clinically healthy horses, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), suggesting that the three recently identified equine parvoviruses do not contribute to the clinical picture of equids with respiratory disease.
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Lee K, Pusterla N, Barnum SM, Lee DH, Martínez-López B. Genome-informed characterisation of antigenic drift in the haemagglutinin gene of equine influenza strains circulating in the United States from 2012 to 2017. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e52-e63. [PMID: 34331828 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a major infectious pathogen causing significant respiratory signs in equids worldwide. Voluntary surveillances in the United States recently reported EIV detection in horses with respiratory signs even with adequate vaccine protocols and biosecurity programs and posed a concern about suboptimal effectiveness of EIV vaccine in the United States. This study aims to determine the genetic characteristics of 58 field EIV H3N8 strains in the United States from 2012 to 2017 using the phylogenetic analysis based on the haemagglutinin (HA) gene. Amino acid substitution and acquisition of N-glycosylation of the HA gene were also evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis identified that almost all US field strains belonged to the Florida clade 1 (FC1) except one Florida clade 2 strain from a horse imported in 2014. US EIV strains in 2017 shared 11 fixed amino acid substitutions in the HA gene, compared to the vaccine strain (A/equine/Ohio/2003), and two additional amino acid substitutions were detected in 2019. The introduction of foreign EIV strains into the United States was not detected, but antigenic drift without acquisition of N-glycosylation in the HA gene was observed in US field strains until 2017. Considering the global dominance of FC1 strains, subsequent antigenic drift of US EIV strains should be monitored for better effectiveness of the EIV vaccine in the United States and global equine industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyuyoung Lee
- Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS), Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Samantha M Barnum
- Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Dong-Hun Lee
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Beatriz Martínez-López
- Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS), Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
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20
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Equine Herpesvirus Type 4 (EHV-4) Outbreak in Germany: Virological, Serological, and Molecular Investigations. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070810. [PMID: 34202127 PMCID: PMC8308676 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) is enzootic in equine populations throughout the world. A large outbreak of EHV-4 respiratory infection occurred at a Standardbred horse-breeding farm in northern Germany in 2017. Respiratory illness was observed in a group of in-housed foals and mares, which subsequently resulted in disease outbreak. Out of 84 horses in the stud, 76 were tested and 41 horses were affected, including 20 foals, 10 stallions, and 11 mares. Virological investigations revealed the involvement of EHV-4 in all cases of respiratory illness, as confirmed by virus isolation, qPCR, and/or serological follow-up using virus neutralization test and peptide-specific ELISA. Among infected mares, 73% (8 out of 11) and their corresponding foals shed the virus at the same time. EHV-4 was successfully isolated from four animals (including one stallion and three foals), and molecular studies revealed a different restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profile in all four isolates. We determined the complete 144 kbp genome sequence of EHV-4 isolated from infected horses by next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly. Hence, EHV-4 is genetically stable in nature, different RFLP profiles, and genome sequences of the isolates, suggesting the involvement of more than one animal as a source of infection due to either true infection or reactivation from a latent state. In addition, epidemiological investigation revealed that stress caused by seasonal changes, management practices, routine equestrian activities, and exercises contributed as a multifactorial causation for disease outbreak. This study shows the importance of implementing stress alleviating measures and management practices in breeding farms in order to avoid immunosuppression and occurrence of disease.
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21
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Bernardino P, James K, Barnum S, Corbin R, Wademan C, Pusterla N. What have we learned from 7 years of equine rhinitis B virus qPCR testing in nasal secretions from horses with respiratory signs. Vet Rec 2021; 188:e26. [PMID: 33759193 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) has been given little attention by practitioners compared to other respiratory viruses, mainly because of the lack of diagnostic modalities and association with clinical disease. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of detection of ERBV in nasal secretions from 6568 horses with acute onset of respiratory signs. METHODS ERBV-positive qPCR results from nasal secretions submitted to a molecular diagnostic laboratory from 2013 to 2019 were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 333 ERBV qPCR-positive samples (5.1%) were detected with increasing yearly frequency since the introduction of the assay in 2013. In comparison, only three of 356 (0.8%) healthy horses tested qPCR-positive for ERBV. Median age for ERBV qPCR-positive horses was 3 years of age, and fever, coughing and nasal discharge were the most common signs reported. Further, co-infections with other respiratory pathogens were reported in 73 (21.9%) of ERBV qPCR-positive samples. CONCLUSION ERBV is a commonly detected respiratory virus from nasal secretions of young horses presenting with fever, nasal discharge and coughing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Bernardino
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kaitlyn James
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Rachel Corbin
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Cara Wademan
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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22
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Lawson A, Pinchbeck G. Study design synopsis: Observational study design in equine research. Equine Vet J 2021; 53:638-644. [PMID: 33719094 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13427] [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: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
When planning to conduct research, thorough consideration of the study design is essential to enable valid results and purposeful conclusions. A good study design will provide a strong basis for robust conclusions that can contribute to the evidence base. Conversely, a poor study design may unintentionally lead to invalid conclusions with inappropriate claims of the clinical importance. The purpose of this article is to review important aspects of observational study design, with an emphasis on observational clinical research. The value of an observational study can be manifold and the benefit of studying clinical cases can add substantial value to the evidence base and equine health and welfare, however this value will be diminished if study designs are flawed, or are inadequately reported. It is essential that clinicians have the skills to critically appraise observational studies, to determine strengths, limitations and the applicability to their clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Lawson
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire, UK
| | - Gina Pinchbeck
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Cheshire, UK
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23
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Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Ashine T, Cian F, Aklilu N, Newton R, Radford A, Pinchbeck G. Pathology, infectious agents and horse- and management-level risk factors associated with signs of respiratory disease in Ethiopian working horses. Equine Vet J 2020; 53:670-681. [PMID: 32853420 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory disease is a common cause for presentation of working horses to clinics in Ethiopia and a priority concern for owners. OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors for and association of pathogens with respiratory signs in working horses. STUDY DESIGN Unmatched case-control study. METHODS Cases were those animals recently coughing (last 7 days) or observed with coughing, nasal discharge or altered respiration at the time of examination. A physical exam and respiratory endoscopy were performed including a tracheal wash sample to detect the presence of pathogens and serology performed on blood. An owner questionnaire was administered. Risk factors were determined using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Data on 108 cases and 93 unmatched control horses were obtained. Case horses often had underlying lower airway pathology and were significantly more likely to have Streptococcus zooepidemicus detected (OR: 12.4, 95% CI: 3.6-42.4). There was no evidence of a major role for viral respiratory pathogens. Risk factors included completion of strenuous work (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.3), drinking from stagnant water sources (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.0-5.2) or being housed on a cobbled floor (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.8). There were increased odds of respiratory disease in young and old horses in this population. MAIN LIMITATIONS Samples for pathogen detection and cytology were only taken from the trachea. CONCLUSION S. zooepidemicus, a common commensal, may play a role in clinical respiratory disease in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Laing
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew Stringer
- Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA
| | - Tibebu Ashine
- SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | | | - Nigatu Aklilu
- SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
| | | | - Alan Radford
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gina Pinchbeck
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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24
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Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:450. [PMID: 32903600 PMCID: PMC7438831 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2019 Havemeyer Workshop brought together researchers and clinicians to discuss the latest information on Equine Asthma and provide future research directions. Current clinical and molecular asthma phenotypes and endotypes in humans were discussed and compared to asthma phenotypes in horses. The role of infectious and non-infectious causes of equine asthma, genetic factors and proposed disease pathophysiology were reviewed. Diagnostic limitations were evident by the limited number of tests and biomarkers available to field practitioners. The participants emphasized the need for more accessible, standardized diagnostics that would help identify specific phenotypes and endotypes in order to create more targeted treatments or management strategies. One important outcome of the workshop was the creation of the Equine Asthma Group that will facilitate communication between veterinary practice and research communities through published and easily accessible guidelines and foster research collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Couetil
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jacqueline M Cardwell
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Melissa Mazan
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Eric Richard
- LABÉO (Frank Duncombe), Normandie Université, UniCaen, Caen, France
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Michela Bullone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institut Suisse de Médecine Équine (ISME), University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Ivester
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James Martin
- Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Moran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Artur Niedźwiedź
- Department of Internal Diseases With Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Cyprianna Swiderski
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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Jerele S, Davis E, Mapes S, Pusterla N, Navas González FJ, Iglesias Pastrana C, Abdelfattah EM, McLean A. Survey of Serum Amyloid A and Bacterial and Viral Frequency Using qPCR Levels in Recently Captured Feral Donkeys from Death Valley National Park (California). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061086. [PMID: 32585994 PMCID: PMC7341296 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Feral donkey removal from state land has raised concerns in terms of disease transmission between equine species. Disease outbreaks may occur as a result of the relocation of animals to new environments. Virus and bacteria DNA load and serum amyloid A derived from the pathogenic processes that they involve were measured in recently captured donkeys. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from 85 donkeys (Death Valley National Park, Shoshone, California); 24 were retested after 30/60 days in the Scenic (Arizona) long-term holding facility co-mingled with feral donkeys from Arizona and Utah. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect viral and bacterial genomic material (equine influenza A [EIV], equine rhinitis A and B viruses, AHV-2, AHV-3, AHV-5 and EHV-1, EHV-4, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and zooepidemicus,). Significant relations between behavior, body condition score, nasal discharge, and coughing were found in donkeys for which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA was detected. Higher SAA concentrations were found in foals. AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus DNA concentrations significantly differed between sampling moments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, donkeys do not appear to be a substantial risk for disease transmission to horses but could be if they carried strangles or other processes in which AHV-2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus were involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jerele
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Eric Davis
- International Animal Welfare Training Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.J.); (E.D.)
| | - Samantha Mapes
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Equine Viral Disease Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95617, USA; (S.M.); (N.P.)
| | - Francisco Javier Navas González
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
| | - Carlos Iglesias Pastrana
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Essam Mahmoud Abdelfattah
- Department of Animal Hygiene, and Veterinary Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Qalubiya Governorate 13511, Egypt;
| | - Amy McLean
- The Worldwide Donkey Breeds Project, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence: (F.J.N.G.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-651-679-262 (F.J.N.G.); +1706-296-8743 (A.M.)
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Pusterla N, Bowers J, Barnum S, Hall JA. Molecular detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in face flies (Musca autumnalis) collected during a strangles outbreak on a Thoroughbred farm. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 34:120-122. [PMID: 31280485 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to detect Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) (Lactobacillales: Streptococcaceae) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in flies collected from a farm with a documented outbreak of strangles. A total of 1856 face flies [Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae)] were collected using conventional fly traps. The flies were processed for nucleic acid purification and tested for the presence of S. equi by qPCR. A total of 10/1856 flies (0.54%) tested qPCR-positive for S. equi. The results may implicate the presence of face flies as a risk factor for the transmission of S. equi and highlight the need to institute proper husbandry measures, biosecurity protocols and fly control in order to reduce the potential for infection in at-risk horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A
| | - J Bowers
- Harris Farms Horse Division, Coalinga, CA, U.S.A
| | - S Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A
| | - J A Hall
- Zoetis, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, U.S.A
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El-Hage CM, Bannai H, Wiethoelter AK, Firestone SM, Heislers CM, Allen JL, Waller AS, Gilkerson JR. Serological responses of Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA following vaccination against strangles. Aust Vet J 2019; 97:220-224. [PMID: 31236928 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the nature of serological responses in Australian horses using a commercial duplex indirect ELISA (iELISA) following vaccination against strangles. DESIGN A group (n = 19) of client-owned horses from five properties were recruited to receive a primary course of a Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) extract vaccine. Serological responses were determined by duplex iELISA incorporating S. equi-specific fragments of two cell wall proteins, SEQ2190 and SeM (antigens (Ag) A and C, respectively). METHODS The horses were administered a primary strangles vaccination course. Blood was collected immediately prior to each of the three vaccinations at 2-week intervals and additionally at 28 and 56 days following the 3rd vaccination (V3). RESULTS Significant increases in mean antibody levels of horses following vaccination were limited only to AgC, which was significantly increased at T2/V3, 14 days following V2 (ratio of geometric means = 3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 8.4; P = 0.003). There was no increase in mean antibody to Ag A (ratio of geometric means = 1.4; 95% CI: 0.6, 3.2; P = 0.39). Four horses (22%) exceeded the test cut-off for AgC following vaccination. CONCLUSION Vaccination of Australian horses is unlikely to interfere greatly with detection of strangles using the duplex iELISA. No responses would be anticipated to AgA following vaccination with Equivac© S/Equivac© 2in1 and only a minority are likely to respond to AgC. We conclude that the results of this study validate the usefulness of the duplex iELISA to assist control measures for strangles outbreaks in Australian horse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M El-Hage
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - H Bannai
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association Tochigi, Japan
| | - A K Wiethoelter
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - S M Firestone
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - C M Heislers
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - J L Allen
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - A S Waller
- Animal Health Trust, Kennett, Newmarket, UK
| | - J R Gilkerson
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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Back H, Weld J, Walsh C, Cullinane A. Equine Rhinitis A Virus Infection in Thoroughbred Racehorses-A Putative Role in Poor Performance? Viruses 2019; 11:v11100963. [PMID: 31635401 PMCID: PMC6848918 DOI: 10.3390/v11100963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify respiratory viruses circulating amongst elite racehorses in a training yard by serological testing of serial samples and to determine their impact on health status and ability to race. A six-month longitudinal study was conducted in 30 Thoroughbred racehorses (21 two-year-olds, five three-year-olds and four four-year-olds) during the Flat racing season. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) and equine rhinitis viruses A and B (ERAV and ERBV) by complement fixation (CF) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) by ELISA. Antibodies against equine influenza (EI) were measured by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Only ERAV was circulating in the yard throughout the six-month study period. Seroconversion to ERAV frequently correlated with clinical respiratory disease and was significantly associated with subsequent failure to race (p = 0.0009). Over 55% of the two-year-olds in the study seroconverted to ERAV in May and June. In contrast, only one seroconversion to ERAV was observed in the older horses. They remained free of any signs of respiratory disease and raced successfully throughout the study period. The importance of ERAV as a contributory factor in the interruption of training programmes for young horses may be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Back
- Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, SE-751-89 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - John Weld
- Riverdown, Barrettstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare W12HD83, Ireland.
| | - Cathal Walsh
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland.
| | - Ann Cullinane
- Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. KildareW91RH93, Ireland.
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Cárdenas DM, Duque D. Tratamiento quirúrgico de condroides en las bolsas guturales de un equino mediante abordaje Whitehouse modificado. Reporte de caso. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA VETERINARIA Y DE ZOOTECNIA 2019. [DOI: 10.15446/rfmvz.v66n2.82435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Una yegua de raza caballo criollo colombiano (CCC) de 34 meses de edad fue remitidaal Centro de Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad CES, en la ciudad de Medellín(Colombia), para la extracción quirúrgica de condroides en ambas bolsas guturales. Lapaciente se intervino en estación utilizando neuroleptoanalgesia y a continuación, seempleó la técnica Whitehouse modificado en cada bolsa gutural para extraer la totalidadde los condroides. Posteriormente, se realizó tratamiento antibiótico y antinflamatoriopre y post quirúrgico con trimetoprim-sulfadiazina y flunixin meglumine vía sistémica;además, penicilina G sódica local. Luego de la intervención la paciente fue dada de altasin complicaciones y finalmente se evidenció la resolución completa de la condiciónrespiratoria. El reporte de este caso permitirá conocer con detalle la técnica Whitehousemodificado, así como sus retos quirúrgicos y consideraciones, ya que a la fecha en Colombiano hay otros reportes al respecto en un CCC.
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Pusterla N, James K, Mapes S, Bain F. Frequency of molecular detection of equine coronavirus in faeces and nasal secretions in 277 horses with acute onset of fever. Vet Rec 2019; 184:385. [PMID: 30850426 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Due to the inconsistent development of enteric signs associated with ECoV infection in adult horses, many practitioners collect nasal secretions rather than feces for the molecular diagnostic work-up of such horses. MAIN CONCLUSION ECoV infection should be considered in horses presenting with acute onset of fever, especially when nasal discharge is absent as one of the cardinal clinical sign. APPROACH A total of 277 adult horses with acute onset of fever were enrolled in this study. Feces were tested for ECoV and nasal secretions for common respiratory pathogens (equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1, EHV-4, equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis viruses (ERVs) and Streptococcus equi ss. equi) and ECoV by qPCR. Each submission was accompanied by a questionnaire requesting information pertaining to signalment, use, recent transportation, number of affected horses on the premise and presence of clinical signs at the time of sample collection. RESULTS The total number of horses testing qPCR-positive for ECoV in feces was 20 (7.2%), 4 of which also tested qPCR-positive for ECoV in nasal secretions. In the same population 9.0% of horses tested qPCR-positive for EHV-4, 6.1% for EIV, 4.3% for Streptococcus equi ss. equi, 3.2% for ERVs and 0.7% for EHV-1. Draft horses, pleasure use, multiple horses affected on a premise and lack of nasal discharge were significantly associated with ECoV qPCR-positive horses. INTERPRETATION The present study results showed that 7.2% of horses with acute onset of fever tested qPCR-positive for ECoV in feces, highlighting the importance of testing such horses for ECoV in feces. The various prevalence factors associated with ECoV qPCR-positive status likely relate to the high infectious nature of ECoV and breed-specific differences in management and husbandry practices. SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS ECoV infection should be suspected and tested for in horses presenting with acute onset of fever, lethargy and anorexia with no respiratory signs. A two-step approach should be consider in which respiratory secretions and feces should be collected from such horses and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. If the respiratory secretions test negative by qPCR for a panel of respiratory pathogens, feces already submitted to the laboratory should be tested for ECoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kaitlyn James
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Samantha Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Sanz MG, Kwon S, Pusterla N, Gold JR, Bain F, Evermann J. Evaluation of equine coronavirus fecal shedding among hospitalized horses. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:918-922. [PMID: 30788861 PMCID: PMC6430884 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, diagnosis of equine coronavirus (ECoV) relies on the exclusion of other infectious causes of enteric disease along with molecular detection of ECoV in feces or tissue. Although this approach is complete, it is costly and may not always be achievable. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the overall fecal shedding of ECoV in hospitalized horses is low. Our objective was to determine whether systemically healthy horses and horses with gastrointestinal disorders shed ECoV in their feces at the time of admission to a referral hospital and after 48 hours of stress associated with hospitalization. ANIMALS One-hundred thirty adult horses admitted to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for gastrointestinal disease (n = 65) or for imaging under anesthesia (n = 65) that were hospitalized for 48 hours. Owner consent was obtained before sampling. METHODS Fecal samples were collected at admission and 48 hours later. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for ECoV and electron microscopy (EM) were performed on all samples. RESULTS Only 1 of 258 fecal samples was PCR-positive for ECoV. Electron microscopy identified ECoV-like particles in 9 of 258 samples, parvovirus-like particles in 4 of 258 samples, and rotavirus-like particles in 1 of 258 samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The presence of ECoV in feces of hospitalized adult horses was low. Thus, fecal samples that are PCR-positive for ECoV in adult horses that have clinical signs consistent with this viral infection are likely to be of diagnostic relevance. The clinical relevance of the viruses observed using EM remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena G. Sanz
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashington
| | - SoYoung Kwon
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashington
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and EpidemiologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCalifornia
| | - Jenifer R. Gold
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashington
| | - Fairfield Bain
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWashington
| | - Jim Evermann
- Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic LaboratoryWashington State UniversityPullmanWashington
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Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Aklilu N, Ashine T, Newton R, Radford A, Pinchbeck G. Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia. Equine Vet J 2018; 50:793-799. [PMID: 29574904 PMCID: PMC6175379 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogens are frequently implicated in equine respiratory disease. In Ethiopia, respiratory disease is a frequent cause for presentation at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for users of working horses. However, there is little existing literature on possible aetiologies. OBJECTIVES Determine prevalence of respiratory signs and exposure to major respiratory pathogens through a serological survey. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS Systematically selected horses from 19 sites in central Ethiopia were examined clinically and sampled once (August-December 2013). A face-to-face interview collected data on horses' management and history. Serological testing targeted equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesviruses-1 (EHV-1) and -4 (EHV-4), equine rhinitis viruses A (ERAV) and B (ERBV), equine arteritis virus (EAV) and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). RESULTS Owners reported a recent history of coughing in 38% of horses and nasal discharge in 7%. No animals were observed coughing during examination but 6% had a nasal discharge. Antibodies towards S. equi, were most prevalent (8%, 33/350). Antibodies to EAV were confirmed in one animal (0.3%). Low antibody titres to EHV-1/4 and ERA/BV suggested prior exposure but antibodies to EIV were not detected. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression analysis for risk factors associated with S. equi serostatus showed higher odds of seropositivity in younger animals and those working less frequently. MAIN LIMITATIONS A single serological sample cannot describe dynamic changes in antibodies. Sampling horses at the place of work may result in healthy-worker bias. CONCLUSIONS S. equi may be endemic in this population and contributing, in part, to the occurrence of respiratory disease. Low prevalence of antibodies to viruses, with the exception of EIV, indicates these pathogens are present, but unlikely a predominant cause of respiratory signs and noninfectious causes of disease should also be investigated. Working horses in this region would be vulnerable to incursion of equine influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Laing
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - R. Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - A. Stringer
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - N. Aklilu
- SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)Debre ZeitEthiopia
| | - T. Ashine
- SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)Debre ZeitEthiopia
| | - R. Newton
- Animal Health TrustNewmarketSuffolkUK
| | - A. Radford
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
| | - G. Pinchbeck
- Institute of Infection and Global HealthUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolUK
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Ghoniem SM, El Deeb AH, Aggour MG, Hussein HA. Development and evaluation of a multiplex reverse-transcription real-time PCR assay for detection of equine respiratory disease viruses. J Vet Diagn Invest 2018; 30:924-928. [PMID: 30239276 DOI: 10.1177/1040638718799388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a multiplex reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-rtPCR) assay for the simultaneous detection of the main equine respiratory viruses: equid alphaherpesviruses 1 and 4 (EHV-1, -4) and equine influenza virus (EIV; species Influenza A virus). The primers and probes amplified only the targeted viruses, and there were no inter-assay cross-amplifications or nonspecific interactions. The multiplex assay efficiencies were 92.5%, 97%, and 90% for EHV-1, EHV-4, and EIV, respectively. The R2 values of the monoplex and multiplex assays were ⩾0.990, and the slopes were -3.37 to -3.59. The performance of the assay was evaluated by analyzing 152 samples from clinically infected horses. EHV-1 DNA was detected in 12 samples, EHV-4 DNA in 9 samples, and both EHV-1 and EHV-4 in 4 samples. The accuracy of the assay was confirmed by comparing these results using commercial rtPCR and RT-rtPCR kits. Our multiplex RT-rtPCR was a sensitive, specific, accurate, and cost-effective method for the detection of the target viruses whether they occur alone or as part of coinfections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa M Ghoniem
- Departments of Virology (Ghoniem), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Biotechnology (Aggour), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (El Deeb, Hussein)
| | - Ayman H El Deeb
- Departments of Virology (Ghoniem), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Biotechnology (Aggour), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (El Deeb, Hussein)
| | - Mohammed G Aggour
- Departments of Virology (Ghoniem), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Biotechnology (Aggour), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (El Deeb, Hussein)
| | - Hussein A Hussein
- Departments of Virology (Ghoniem), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Biotechnology (Aggour), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (El Deeb, Hussein)
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Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Prevalence and sequence analysis of equid herpesviruses from the respiratory tract of Polish horses. Virol J 2018; 15:106. [PMID: 29996858 PMCID: PMC6042439 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-018-1018-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) are widespread in equine populations worldwide. While the infection with equine α-herpesviruses (EHV-1 and EHV-4) has been linked to several clinical outcomes, the pathogenic potential for equine γ-herpesviruses (EHV-2 and EHV-5) is still unclear. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of infection with EHVs among Polish horses, to investigate factors associated with EHV infections among horses sampled, and to determine genetic variability within Polish EHV-2 isolates. Methods Virus-specific real-time PCR assays were used for detection of EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4 and EHV-5 in nasal swabs collected from 540 horses from 13 national horse studs located throughout Poland. A proportion of EHV-2/5 positive samples were subjected to virus isolation followed by amplification and analysis of partial glycoprotein B sequence. Results Overall, 448/540 (83.0%) horses sampled were positive for at least one virus. The most prevalent was infection with EHV-2 (77.2%), followed by EHV-5 (47.0%), and EHV-4 (0.4%). None of the horses was positive for EHV-1. Approximately half of the virus-infected horses were positive for both EHV-2 and EHV-5. The proportion of EHV-2/5 positive horses varied by age, breed, and season. Only 8.0% of horses sampled, mostly Arabians, showed clinical signs of respiratory disease at the time of sampling. The viral load of both EHV-2 and EHV-5 DNA was highest in swabs from young horses, which was particularly evident for EHV-2 infected foals. Mean viral loads in nasal swabs collected from diseased horses were higher than in swabs from healthy horses. That was also true for EHV-2 when only diseased Arabian foals were considered, but the levels of EHV-5 DNA were lower in swabs from diseased than from healthy foals. In agreement with other studies, there was a considerable variability between Polish EHV-2 sequences, with no clustering of sequences from horses with different health status. The level of EHV-2 variability seemed to differ between different studs/breeds. Conclusions The presence of foals and yearlings on a property is likely to increase the risk of active EHV-2/5 infection among in-contact horses. The existence of breed-specific differences in susceptibility to EHV-2/5 infections should be further investigated, as it may provide one variable that needs to be considered in attempts to associate EHV-2/5 infections with disease. Overall, the data presented add to the existing knowledge of the epidemiology and biology of equine γ-herpesviruses, with the long-term goal of better understanding of the pathogenesis and the impact of infections with these viruses on the well-being of the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Stasiak
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Magdalena Dunowska
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Jerzy Rola
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland.
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Mendoza FJ, Toribio RE, Perez-Ecija A. Donkey Internal Medicine—Part II: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurologic, Urinary, Ophthalmic, Dermatology, and Musculoskeletal Disorders. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [PMCID: PMC7125788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are scarcely reported in donkeys, probably linked to their limited athletic attitude and low frequency of poor performance-related examinations. Reports on treatments for cardiovascular pathologies are anecdotal in donkeys. Respiratory tract anatomy shows important differences between horses and donkeys. Donkeys and mules can act as reservoirs spreading many viral, bacterial, and parasitic infectious respiratory diseases. Mosquito and tick-borne encephalitis have been reported in these species in the later years, and even donkeys are being used as sentinels in some areas to detect these emerging diseases. Management and treatment of lithiases can be transferable from horses; however, the same assumption must still be demonstrated for acute and chronic renal diseases. Ocular pathologies are similar to horses, with corneal ulcers frequently observed. Lameness is a common problem in donkeys, with laminitis as the most reported cause followed by pedal abscess. Donkeys are different to horses. Numerous physiological and clinicopathologic idiosyncrasies are reported in horses. Data published for horses should not be extrapolated for donkeys. Specific reference ranges, doses, and protocols have to be used for donkeys.
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Smith FL, Watson JL, Spier SJ, Kilcoyne I, Mapes S, Sonder C, Pusterla N. Frequency of shedding of respiratory pathogens in horses recently imported to the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 32:1436-1441. [PMID: 29761571 PMCID: PMC6060314 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imported horses that have undergone recent long distance transport might represent a serious risk for spreading infectious respiratory pathogens into populations of horses. OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency of shedding of respiratory pathogens in recently imported horses. ANIMALS All imported horses with signed owner consent (n = 167) entering a USDA quarantine for contagious equine metritis from October 2014 to June 2016 were enrolled in the study. METHODS Prospective observational study. Enrolled horses had a physical examination performed and nasal secretions collected at the time of entry and subsequently if any horse developed signs of respiratory disease during quarantine. Samples were assayed for equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus type-1, -2, -4, and -5 (EHV-1, -2, -4, -5), equine rhinitis virus A (ERAV), and B (ERBV) and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) using quantitative PCR (qPCR). RESULTS Equine herpesviruses were detected by qPCR in 52% of the study horses including EHV-2 (28.7%), EHV-5 (40.7%), EHV-1 (1.2%), and EHV-4 (3.0%). Clinical signs were not correlated with being qPCR-positive for EHV-4, EHV-2, or EHV-5. None of the samples were qPCR-positive for EIV, ERAV, ERBV, and S. equi. The qPCR assay failed quality control for RNA viruses in 25% (46/167) of samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Clinical signs of respiratory disease were poorly correlated with qPCR positive status for EHV-2, -4, and -5. The importance of γ-herpesviruses (EHV-2 and 5) in respiratory disease is poorly understood. Equine herpesvirus type-1 or 4 (EHV-1 or EHV-4) were detected in 4.2% of horses, which could have serious consequences if shedding animals entered a population of susceptible horses. Biosecurity measures are important when introducing recently imported horses into resident US populations of horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fauna Leah Smith
- Willian R Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Johanna L Watson
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sharon J Spier
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Isabelle Kilcoyne
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Samantha Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Claudia Sonder
- Center for Equine Heath, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California Davis, Davis, California
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Pusterla N, Leutenegger CM, Barnum SM, Byrne BA. Use of quantitative real-time PCR to determine viability of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in respiratory secretions from horses with strangles. Equine Vet J 2018; 50:697-700. [PMID: 29341315 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, molecular approaches have been able to characterise the viability of equine upper respiratory tract pathogens using absolute molecular quantitation as well as detection of transcripts for virulence genes. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate molecular surrogates for S. equi subspecies equi (S. equi) viability in biological samples from horses with strangles. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS S. equi culture-positive and culture-negative upper airway secretions were assessed by qPCR at the genomic (gDNA) and complimentary DNA (cDNA) level for various target genes (SeM, SEQ2190, eqbE and szpSe). Absolute quantitation was performed using standard curves, and the results were expressed as number of S. equi target genes per μl of gDNA or cDNA. Additionally, the presence or absence of S. equi gene expression for the various target genes was assessed and compared with the culture results. RESULTS While all 21 culture-positive samples tested S. equiqPCR positive, up to 43.7 and 18.9% of 64 culture-negative samples tested qPCR positive at the gDNA and cDNA level, respectively. Significant differences in absolute quantitation for S. equi at the gDNA level were found between culture-positive and culture-negative samples. When absolute quantitation of S. equi target genes at the gDNA level was assessed with the presence or absence of transcripts, there was a significantly higher S. equi target gene number in samples with expression of transcripts compared with samples with no expression of transcripts. MAIN LIMITATIONS The lack of standardisation of samples collected in the field and the delay from sample collection to samples processing may have negatively affected the cultivability of S. equi and mRNA quality. CONCLUSIONS Molecular viability for S. equi can be investigated by determining absolute quantitation and/or by detecting mRNA for specific target genes. However, veterinarians have to be cautioned that any qPCR-positive result for S. equi needs to be taken seriously and trigger biosecurity protocols aimed at reducing spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - S M Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - B A Byrne
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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Boyle AG, Timoney JF, Newton JR, Hines MT, Waller AS, Buchanan BR. Streptococcus equi Infections in Horses: Guidelines for Treatment, Control, and Prevention of Strangles-Revised Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 32:633-647. [PMID: 29424487 PMCID: PMC5867011 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This consensus statement update reflects our current published knowledge and opinion about clinical signs, pathogenesis, epidemiology, treatment, complications, and control of strangles. This updated statement emphasizes varying presentations in the context of existing underlying immunity and carrier states of strangles in the transmission of disease. The statement redefines the “gold standard” for detection of possible infection and reviews the new technologies available in polymerase chain reaction diagnosis and serology and their use in outbreak control and prevention. We reiterate the importance of judicious use of antibiotics in horses with strangles. This updated consensus statement reviews current vaccine technology and the importance of linking vaccination with currently advocated disease control and prevention programs to facilitate the eradication of endemic infections while safely maintaining herd immunity. Differentiation between immune responses to primary and repeated exposure of subclinically infected animals and responses induced by vaccination is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Boyle
- University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA
| | - J F Timoney
- University of Kentucky, Gluck Research Center, Lexington, KY
| | | | - M T Hines
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
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Pusterla N, Bain F, James K, Mapes S, Kenelty K, Barnett DC, Gaughan E, Craig B, Chappell DE, Vaala W. Frequency of molecular detection of equine herpesvirus-4 in nasal secretions of 3028 horses with upper airway infection. Vet Rec 2017; 180:593. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.104240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California; Davis California USA
| | - F. Bain
- Merck Animal Health; Summit, New Jersey USA
| | - K. James
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California; Davis California USA
| | - S. Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California; Davis California USA
| | - K. Kenelty
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California; Davis California USA
| | | | - E. Gaughan
- Merck Animal Health; Summit, New Jersey USA
| | - B. Craig
- Merck Animal Health; Summit, New Jersey USA
| | | | - W. Vaala
- Merck Animal Health; Summit, New Jersey USA
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Pusterla N, Mapes S, Akana N, Barnett C, MacKenzie C, Gaughan E, Craig B, Chappell D, Vaala W. Prevalence factors associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 infection in equids with upper respiratory tract infection and/or acute onset of neurological signs from 2008 to 2014. Vet Rec 2015; 178:70. [PMID: 26607427 DOI: 10.1136/vr.103424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present case-control study was to determine prevalence factors associated with the detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in horses presented to veterinarians with clinical signs related to an upper respiratory tract infection and/or acute onset of neurological disease from March 2008 to December 2014. Nasal secretions and whole blood from 4228 equids with acute onset of fever, respiratory signs and/or neurological deficits were tested by qPCR for EHV-1. Categorical analyses were performed to determine the association between observations and EHV-1. A total of 117/4228 (2.7 per cent) equids tested qPCR-positive for EHV-1, with most of the isolates belonging to the non-neuropathogenic genotype (N752). EHV-1 PCR-positive equids were over-represented in racing horses. Depression, anorexia, nasal discharge and coughing were significantly less frequently reported in the EHV-1 qPCR-positive equids compared with the EHV-1 qPCR-negative cases. Neurological deficits were more frequently reported in the EHV-1 qPCR-positive cases. This study provides contemporary information on the frequency of EHV-1 detection by qPCR in blood and nasal secretions from horses with fever, respiratory signs and neurological deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - N Akana
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - C Barnett
- Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ, USA
| | | | - E Gaughan
- Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ, USA
| | - B Craig
- Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ, USA
| | | | - W Vaala
- Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ, USA
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Houtsma A, Bedenice D, Pusterla N, Pugliese B, Mapes S, Hoffman AM, Paxson J, Rozanski E, Mukherjee J, Wigley M, Mazan MR. Association between inflammatory airway disease of horses and exposure to respiratory viruses: a case control study. Multidiscip Respir Med 2015; 10:33. [PMID: 26535117 PMCID: PMC4630835 DOI: 10.1186/s40248-015-0030-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses, similar to asthma in humans, is a common cause of chronic poor respiratory health and exercise intolerance due to airway inflammation and exaggerated airway constrictive responses. Human rhinovirus is an important trigger for the development of asthma; a similar role for viral respiratory disease in equine IAD has not been established yet. Methods In a case–control study, horses with IAD (n = 24) were compared to control animals from comparable stabling environments (n = 14). Horses were classified using pulmonary function testing and bronchoalveolar lavage. PCR for equine rhinitis virus A and B (ERAV, ERBV), influenza virus (EIV), and herpesviruses 2, 4, and 5 (EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5) was performed on nasal swab, buffy coat from whole blood, and cells from BAL fluid (BALF), and serology were performed. Categorical variables were compared between IAD and control using Fisher’s exact test; continuous variables were compared with an independent t-test. For all analyses, a value of P <0.05 was considered significant. Results There was a significant association between diagnosis of IAD and history of cough (P = 0.001) and exercise intolerance (P = 0.003) but not between nasal discharge and IAD. Horses with IAD were significantly more likely to have a positive titer to ERAV (68 %) vs. control horses (32 %). Horses with IAD had higher log-transformed titers to ERAV than did controls (2.28 ± 0.18 v.1.50 ± 0.25, P = 0.038). There was a significant association between nasal shedding (positive PCR) of EHV-2 and diagnosis of IAD (P = 0.002). Conclusions IAD remains a persistent problem in the equine population and has strong similarities to the human disease, asthma, for which viral infection is an important trigger. The association between viral respiratory infection and development or exacerbation of IAD in this study suggests that viral infection may contribute to IAD susceptibility; there is, therefore, merit in further investigation into the relationship between respiratory virus exposure and development of IAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Houtsma
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | - Daniela Bedenice
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | | | - Brenna Pugliese
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | | | - Andrew M Hoffman
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Rozanski
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | - Jean Mukherjee
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | - Margaret Wigley
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
| | - Melissa R Mazan
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA USA
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Pusterla N, Holzenkaempfer N, Mapes S, Kass P. Prevalence of equine coronavirus in nasal secretions from horses with fever and upper respiratory tract infection. Vet Rec 2015; 177:289. [PMID: 26260064 DOI: 10.1136/vr.103263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - N Holzenkaempfer
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - S Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - P Kass
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Back H, Penell J, Pringle J, Isaksson M, Ronéus N, Treiberg Berndtsson L, Ståhl K. A longitudinal study of poor performance and subclinical respiratory viral activity in Standardbred trotters. Vet Rec Open 2015; 2:e000107. [PMID: 26392904 PMCID: PMC4567161 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2014-000107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction While clinical respiratory disease is considered a main cause of poor performance in horses, the role of subclinical respiratory virus infections is less clear and needs further investigation. Aims and objectives In this descriptive longitudinal study the relationship of markers of subclinical respiratory viral activity to occurrence of poor performance in racing Standardbred trotters was investigated. Material and methods 66 elite Standardbred trotters were followed for 13 months by nasal swabs analysed with qPCR for equine influenza virus, equine arteritis virus, equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) and serology to equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), ERBV, EHV-1 and EHV-4, as well as the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA). Findings on lab analyses were subsequently assessed for possible correlations to workload performance and trainer opinion measures of poor performance. Results Despite occurrence of poor performance and subclinical viral activity the authors were unable to detect association neither between subclinical viral activity and poor performance, nor between SAA elevations and either viral activity or poor performance. Conclusions Consistent with earlier study results, antibody titres to ERBV remained high for at least a year and few horses two years or older were seronegative to either ERAV or ERBV. In absence of clinical signs, serology to common respiratory viruses appears to have little diagnostic benefit in evaluation of poor performance in young athletic horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Back
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Penell
- Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - John Pringle
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Isaksson
- Department of Virology, Immunobiology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Karl Ståhl
- Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
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Badenhorst M, Page P, Ganswindt A, Laver P, Guthrie A, Schulman M. Detection of equine herpesvirus-4 and physiological stress patterns in young Thoroughbreds consigned to a South African auction sale. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:126. [PMID: 26033323 PMCID: PMC4450643 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0443-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prevalence of equine herpesvirus types-1 and -4 (EHV-1 and -4) in South African Thoroughbreds at auction sales is currently undefined. Commingling of young Thoroughbreds from various populations together with physiological stress related to their transport and confinement at a sales complex, may be associated with shedding and transmission of EHV-1 and -4. This prospective cohort study sampled 90 young Thoroughbreds consigned from eight farms, originating from three provinces representative of the South African Thoroughbred breeding demographic to a sales complex. Nasal swabs for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect EHV-1 and -4 nucleic acid and blood samples for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for EHV-1 and -4 antibodies were collected from all horses on arrival and departure. Additional nasal swabs for qPCR were obtained serially from those displaying pyrexia and, or nasal discharge. Daily faecal samples were used for determination of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as a measurement of physiological stress and these values were modelled to determine the factors best explaining FGM variability. Results EHV-4 nucleic acid was detected in 14.4 % and EHV-1 from none of the animals in the study population. Most (93.3 %) and very few (1.1 %) of this population showed antibodies indicating prior exposure to EHV-4 and EHV-1 respectively. Pyrexia and nasal discharge were poor predictors for detecting EHV-4 nucleic acid. The horses’ FGM concentrations increased following arrival before decreasing for most of the remaining study period including the auction process. Model averaging showed that variation in FGM concentrations was best explained by days post-arrival and transport duration. Conclusions In this study population, sales consignment was associated with limited detection of EHV-4 nucleic acid in nasal secretions, with most showing prior exposure to EHV-4 and very few to EHV-1. The physiological stress response shown by most reflected the combination of stressors associated with transport and arrival and these are key areas for future investigation into management practices to enhance health and welfare of young Thoroughbreds during sales consignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcha Badenhorst
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Patrick Page
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Peter Laver
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Alan Guthrie
- Equine Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Martin Schulman
- Section of Reproduction, Department of Production Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag XO4, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
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Giannitti F, Diab S, Mete A, Stanton JB, Fielding L, Crossley B, Sverlow K, Fish S, Mapes S, Scott L, Pusterla N. Necrotizing Enteritis and Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy Associated With Equine Coronavirus Infection in Equids. Vet Pathol 2015; 52:1148-56. [PMID: 25648965 DOI: 10.1177/0300985814568683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is a Betacoronavirus recently associated clinically and epidemiologically with emerging outbreaks of pyrogenic, enteric, and/or neurologic disease in horses in the United States, Japan, and Europe. We describe the pathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular findings in 2 horses and 1 donkey that succumbed to natural infection with ECoV. One horse and the donkey (case Nos. 1, 3) had severe diffuse necrotizing enteritis with marked villous attenuation, epithelial cell necrosis at the tips of the villi, neutrophilic and fibrinous extravasation into the small intestinal lumen (pseudomembrane formation), as well as crypt necrosis, microthrombosis, and hemorrhage. The other horse (case No. 2) had hyperammonemic encephalopathy with Alzheimer type II astrocytosis throughout the cerebral cortex. ECoV was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in small intestinal tissue, contents, and/or feces, and coronavirus antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry in the small intestine in all cases. Coronavirus-like particles characterized by spherical, moderately electron lucent, enveloped virions with distinct peplomer-like structures projecting from the surface were detected by negatively stained transmission electron microscopy in small intestine in case No. 1, and transmission electron microscopy of fixed small intestinal tissue from the same case revealed similar 85- to 100-nm intracytoplasmic particles located in vacuoles and free in the cytoplasm of unidentified (presumably epithelial) cells. Sequence comparison showed 97.9% to 99.0% sequence identity with the ECoV-NC99 and Tokachi09 strains. All together, these results indicate that ECoV is associated with necrotizing enteritis and hyperammonemic encephalopathy in equids.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Giannitti
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - S Diab
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - A Mete
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - J B Stanton
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology and Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - L Fielding
- Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Loomis, CA, USA
| | - B Crossley
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - K Sverlow
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S Fish
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - S Mapes
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - L Scott
- Idaho Equine Hospital, Nampa, ID, USA
| | - N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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Pusterla N, Kass PH, Mapes S, Wademan C, Akana N, Barnett C, MacKenzie C, Vaala W. Voluntary surveillance program for equine influenza virus in the United States from 2010 to 2013. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29:417-22. [PMID: 25586234 PMCID: PMC4858095 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent surveillance studies for equine respiratory viruses have shown that equine influenza virus (EIV) continues to be a prevalent respiratory virus of equids throughout the United States and Europe. Objectives To gain a better understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of EIV shed by horses, mules and donkeys in the United States from March 2010 to November 2013. Animals 2,605 equids. Methods Nasal secretions from index cases with acute onset of respiratory disease were tested by qPCR for EIV. Multilevel logistic regression was used to model the association between EIV status and prevalence factors. Furthermore, observations from EIV‐positive study horses were compared to previous data from March 2008 to February 2010. Results A total of 230 (9.7%) index cases tested qPCR positive for EIV. A higher‐than‐expected proportion of EIV qPCR‐positive horses occurred in the 1–5, 6–10, and 11–15 age groups when compared to the <1 year of age group. Fever, nasal discharge and coughing were positively associated with EIV‐positive horses. EIV qPCR‐positive study cases were significantly older and more often vaccinated against EIV compared to EIV qPCR‐positive animals from the 2008‐2010 study period. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This study provides valuable and contemporary information on the frequency of EIV detected by qPCR in the United States. The results also underscore that older and previously vaccinated horses were susceptible to EIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
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PCR in Infectious Disease Diagnosis and Management. ROBINSON'S CURRENT THERAPY IN EQUINE MEDICINE 2015. [PMCID: PMC7152032 DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4557-4555-5.00032-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Harms C, Mapes S, Akana N, Coatti Rocha D, Pusterla N. Detection of modified-live equine intranasal vaccine pathogens in adult horses using quantitative PCR. Vet Rec 2014; 175:510. [PMID: 25274853 DOI: 10.1136/vr.102592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Harms
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - S Mapes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - N Akana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - D Coatti Rocha
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - N Pusterla
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Efficacy of a Parapoxvirus ovis-based immunomodulator against equine herpesvirus type 1 and Streptococcus equi equi infections in horses. Vet Microbiol 2014; 173:232-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Pusterla N, Estell K, Mapes S, Wademan C. Detection of clade 2 equine influenza virus in an adult horse recently imported to the USA. EQUINE VET EDUC 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.12159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Pusterla
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; Davis USA
| | - K. Estell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; Davis USA
| | - S. Mapes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; Davis USA
| | - C. Wademan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology; School of Veterinary Medicine; University of California; Davis USA
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