Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia.



Laing, G ORCID: 0000-0002-8163-6320, Christley, R ORCID: 0000-0001-9250-3032, Stringer, A ORCID: 0000-0003-0052-3939, Aklilu, N, Ashine, T, Newton, R, Radford, A ORCID: 0000-0002-4590-1334 and Pinchbeck, G ORCID: 0000-0002-5671-8623
(2018) Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia. Equine veterinary journal, 50 (6). pp. 793-799.

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Abstract

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.Determine prevalence of respiratory signs and exposure to major respiratory pathogens through a serological survey.Cross-sectional.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).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.A single serological sample cannot describe dynamic changes in antibodies. Sampling horses at the place of work may result in healthy-worker bias.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 non-infectious causes of disease should also be investigated. Working horses in this region would be vulnerable to incursion of equine influenza. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: horse, strangles, Streptococcus equi, prevalence, serology, Africa, ELISA
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 18 May 2018 09:52
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 06:33
DOI: 10.1111/evj.12834
Open Access URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/e...
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URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3021450