Validation of an Equine Smart Textile System for Heart Rate Variability: A Preliminary Study.

Electrocardiograms (ECGs), and associated heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements, are essential in assessing equine cardiovascular health and fitness. Smart textiles have gained popularity, but limited validation work has been conducted. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare HR and HRV data obtained using a smart textile system (Myant) to the gold-standard telemetric device (Televet). Simultaneous ECGs were obtained using both systems in seven horses at rest and during a submaximal exercise test. Bland-Altman tests were used to assess agreement between the two devices. Strong to perfect correlations without significant differences between the two devices were observed for all metrics assessed. During exercise, mean biases of 0.31 bpm (95% limits of agreement: -1.99 to 2.61) for HR, 1.43 ms (-11.48 to 14.33) for standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDRR), and 0.04 (-2.30 to 2.38) for the HRV triangular index (TI) were observed. A very strong correlation was found between the two devices for HR (r = 0.9993, p < 0.0001) and for HRV parameters (SDRR r = 0.8765, p < 0.0001; TI r = 0.8712, p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates that a smart textile system is reliable for assessment of HR and HRV of horses at rest and during submaximal exercise.

The Global Seroprevalence of Equine Brucellosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Based on Publications From 1990 to 2022.

Brucellosis, a bacterial infection caused by Brucella spp., is a widespread zoonosis concerning human and animal health. In equines, brucellosis may occur asymptomatically or with clinical signs such as arthritis, bursitis, and tenosynovitis. This study aims to ascertain the overall seroprevalence of equine brucellosis and its related factors, including geographic region, serological detection method, equine's species, gender, age, and body condition. This is because equine brucellosis is a zoonotic infection with significant epidemiological implications. The systematic literature search was conducted from January 1, 1990, to April 1, 2022, in the following electronic databases: Google Scholar, Scopus, Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase, Springer, and ProQuest. Based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and inclusion criteria, 49 qualified studies were acquired from several countries. Because Egger's test result and the asymmetry in the funnel plot indicated significant publication bias, the meta-analysis model was corrected using the trim-and-fill method. After correction, the pooled seroprevalence of equine brucellosis was 1.92% (95% CI, 0.67-3.79; estimated by the random effect model). Based on meta-regression analysis, the probable heterogeneity factors may be geographic areas (continents and countries). The brucellosis seroprevalence in equines was the lowest in Europe (0%, 95% CI, 0-0.1) and the highest in Asia (10.03%, 95% CI, 8-12.9). The highest overall estimate of seroprevalence of Brucella infection in equines based on a subset of serological tests was made using the serum agglutination test (10.2%, 95% CI, 7.7-13.4). The combined seroprevalence of brucellosis in donkeys (7.3%, 95% CI, 4.9-9.7) was higher than in other equine species. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in female equines was significantly higher than in males (OR = 1.437; 95% CI, 1.025-2.014); despite this, the overall seroprevalence had no significant difference based on other risk factors such as age and body condition. Understanding the epidemiology of this zoonotic infection in equines is critical for one-health integration. In addition, this study's results may be appropriate for controlling and managing equine brucellosis.

Detection and identification of Chlamydia spp. from pigeons in Iran by nested PCR and sequencing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chlamydia psittaci, an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative zoonotic pathogen, has eight serovars and nine genotypes isolated from avian species with higher frequency in parrots and pigeons. The aim of this study was to characterize Chlamydia spp. using nested PCR and sequencing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 270 pharyngeal swab samples collected randomly from asymptomatic pigeons of 30 pigeon aviaries in Tehran province. DNA was extracted with specific kit and amplified by specific primers in the first PCR and outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene in the second PCR. Positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic tree analyzed based on the ompA gene. RESULTS: Records showed that 16 of 30 (53%) pigeon aviaries were positive for Chlamydia spp. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that 15 of 16 (93.7%) positive samples, belonged to C. psittaci genotype B whereas the other sample belonged to C. avium. C. psittaci detected in 50% of pigeon aviaries that is high rate in Tehran province. CONCLUSION: As C. psittaci is a zoonosis and life threaten pathogen for human being, these results indicate the significance of it detection in asymptomatic pigeons. Also, this is the first report of Chlamydia avium presence in Iranian pigeons which its zoonotic potential is still unknown.