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High-throughput Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Animal Specimens by Nanoscale PCR
Published on: November 28, 2016
Surveillance programme for important equine infectious respiratory pathogens in the USA
N Pusterla1, P H Kass, S Mapes
1Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. npusterla@ucdavis.edu
The Veterinary Record
|June 17, 2011
Summary
This study tracked equine respiratory pathogens like EHV-4, EIV, and Streptococcus equi in 761 horses. Over 26% of cases tested positive for at least one pathogen, highlighting common infections in horses with respiratory or neurological signs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Upper respiratory tract infections and neurological diseases are significant concerns in equine health.
- Identifying common viral and bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective disease management and prevention in horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and epidemiology of key respiratory pathogens in horses presenting with specific clinical signs.
- To investigate the detection rates of equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4 (EHV-1, EHV-4), and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide surveillance program enrolled 761 horses, mules, and donkeys over 24 months.
- Veterinarians collected blood and nasal secretions from cases with acute infectious upper respiratory or neurological disease.
- Real-time PCR was used to detect EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, and S equi subspecies equi DNA.
Main Results:
- A total of 201 (26.4%) index cases tested positive for one or more of the four targeted pathogens.
- Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) had the highest detection rate (82 cases), followed by EIV (60), S equi subspecies equi (49), and EHV-1 (23).
- Pathogen detection rates varied based on season, animal age, breed, sex, and use, with 15 double and one triple infection identified.
Conclusions:
- The study identified the prevalence of EHV-4, EIV, S equi subspecies equi, and EHV-1 in horses with respiratory or neurological conditions.
- Detection rates are influenced by various host and environmental factors, underscoring the need for tailored diagnostic and management strategies.
- This surveillance data provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of common equine respiratory and neurological pathogens in the USA.
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