Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Detection of Selected Equine Respiratory Pathogens in Stall Samples Collected at a Multi-Week Equestrian Show during the Winter Months. |
| Authors: |
Lawton, Kaila1 (AUTHOR) kolawton@ucdavis.edu, Runk, David2 (AUTHOR) drunk@sbcglobal.net, Hankin, Steve2 (AUTHOR) steve@deserthorsepark.com, Mendonsa, Eric3 (AUTHOR) emendonsa@fluxergy.com, Hull, Dale3 (AUTHOR) dhull@fluxergy.com, Barnum, Samantha1 (AUTHOR) smmapes@ucdavis.edu, Pusterla, Nicola1 (AUTHOR) npusterla@ucdavis.edu |
| Source: |
Viruses (1999-4915). Oct2023, Vol. 15 Issue 10, p2078. 7p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*EQUINE influenza, *STREPTOCOCCUS equi, *ENVIRONMENTAL sampling, *ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring, *PATHOGENIC microorganisms, *WINTER |
| Abstract: |
The aim of this study was to use environmental sampling to determine the frequency of detection of selected equine respiratory viruses and bacteria in horses attending a multi-week equestrian show during the winter months. At four time points during showing, environmental sponge samples were collected from all stalls on the property and tested for the presence of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), EHV-2, EHV-4, equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), Streptococcus equi ss. equi (S. equi), and S. equi ss. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) using real-time PCR (PCR). Environmental sponges were collected from all 53 barns by using one sponge for up to 10 stalls. Further, 2/53 barns were randomly selected for individual stall sampling in order to compare the results between individual and pooled stall samples. A total of 333/948 (35.13%, 95% CI 32.09–38.26%) pooled environmental stall sponges tested PCR-positive for at least one of the selected respiratory pathogens. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was the most commonly detected pathogen in pooled samples (28.69%, 95% CI 25.83–31.69%), followed by EHV-2 (14.45%, 95% CI 12.27–16.85%), EHV-4 (1.37%, 95% CI 0.73–2.33%), and a very small percentage of pooled stall sponges tested PCR-positive for EHV-1, ERBV, EIV, and S. equi. In individual samples, 171/464 (36.85%, 95% CI 32.45–41.42%) environmental stall sponges tested PCR-positive for at least one of the selected pathogens, following a similar frequency of pathogen detection as pooled samples. The detection frequency of true respiratory pathogens from environmental samples was higher during the winter months compared to previous studies performed during spring and summer, and this testing highlights that such pathogens circulate with greater frequency during the colder months of the year. The strategy of monitoring environmental stall samples for respiratory pathogens circumvents the often labor-intensive collection of respiratory secretions from healthy horses and allows for a more efficient assessment of pathogen buildup over time. However, environmental stall testing for respiratory pathogens should not replace proper biosecurity protocols, but it should instead be considered as an additional tool to monitor the silent circulation of respiratory pathogens in at-risk horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Viruses (1999-4915) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests. |
Login for full access.
|
