Voluntary Biosurveillance of Streptococcus equi Subsp. equi in Nasal Secretions of 9409 Equids with Upper Airway Infection in the USA.

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.

Presence of Helicobacter spp. in dental tartar and gastric mucosa, and its relationship with EGUS in horses from a public slaughterhouse

Background: Despite the fact that Helicobacter spp. has been detected in equine gastric mucosa, no evidence exists about this infection in Colombian horses affected by equine ulcerative gastric syndrome (EGUS), nor in dental tartar. Objective: To detect Helicobacter spp. DNA in equine gastric mucosa and dental tartar and determine the relationship between the presence of Helicobacter spp. and gastric lesions. Methods: Samples of glandular gastric mucosa and dental tartar were collected from 30 equine slaughterhouses. Macroscopic lesions of the stomachs were classified and the total DNA in all samples was extracted using a commercial extraction kit. A final-point PCR was performed using primers for amplification of a segment of 251 bp of the gene encoding the 16s rRNA region; the amplified fragments were subjected to a second PCR to determine the presence of H. pylori, the VacA gene was typified. The resulting amplicons were sequenced. Results: It was possible to amplify 16s rRNA in several samples but there was no amplification of VacA. Fragments of the sequences were compatible with H. heilmannii. The 23.3 and 10% of gastric and tartar samples were positive for 16s rRNA of Helicobacter spp., respectively. Conclusion: Although genetic material of Helicobacter spp. was found in some animals, there was no relationship with gastric lesions. It is possible that helicobacteriosis has no bearing in EGUS etiology.

Antecedentes: A pesar de que se ha detectado Helicobacter spp. en mucosa gástrica equina, no existe evidencia de esta infección en caballos criollos colombianos afectados por síndrome ulcerativo gástrico (SUGE), ni tampoco reportes en sarro dental. Objetivo: Detectar ADN de Helicobacter spp. en sarro dental y mucosa gástrica de equinos, y determinar la relación entre la presencia de la bacteria y lesiones gástricas. Métodos: Las muestras de mucosa glandular gástrica y sarro dental fueron colectadas de 30 equinos que se encontraban en planta de beneficio. Las lesiones macroscópicas fueron clasificadas y el ADN total de las muestras fue extraído utilizando un kit comercial. Se desarrolló PCR convencional usando cebadores específicos para la amplificación de un segmento de 251 pb de un gen que codifica la región 16S del ARNr; los fragmentos amplificados fueron sometidos a una segunda PCR para determinar la presencia de H. pylori mediante la amplificación del gen VacA. Los amplificados resultantes fueron secuenciados. Resultados: Fue posible amplificar 16s ARNr en varias muestras, pero no hubo amplificación de VacA. Los fragmentos de las secuencias fueron compatibles con H. heilmannii. El 23,3 y 10% de las muestras gástricas y sarro fueron positivas para 16s ARNr de Helicobacter spp., respectivamente. Conclusión: Aunque el material genético de Helicobacter spp. se encontró en algunos animales, no hubo relación con las lesiones gástricas. Es posible que la helicobacteriosis no tenga incidencia en la etiología del EGUS.

Antecedentes: Apesar do Helicobacter spp. ter sido detectado na mucosa gástrica de equinos, não há evidências dessa infecção em cavalos crioulos colombianos afetados pela síndrome ulcerativa gástrica (SUGE), ou no sarro. Objetivo: Detectar ADN de Helicobacter spp. na mucosa gástrica e do sarro dental de equinos, e determinar a relação entre a presença de Helicobacter spp. e lesões gástricas. Métodos: Amostras de mucosa gástrica glandular e sarro dental foram coletadas de 30 equinos de abatedouro, as lesões macroscópicas dos estômagos foram classificadas. Se realizou extração de ADN total em todas as amostras através de kit comercial. Realizou-se PCR ponto final, amplificando o segmento de 251 pb do gene que codifica para a região 16s ARNr; os fragmentos amplificados foram sometidos novamente a PCR para determinar a presença de H. pylori, ao tipificar o gene VacA, e seguidamente foram sequenciados. Resultados: O houve amplificação do 16s ARNr em várias amostras, mas não amplificação de VacA. Fragmentos das sequencias foram compatíveis com H. heilmannii. O 23,3 e 10% das amostras gástricas e do sarro foram positivas para 16s ARNr de Helicobacter, respectivamente. Conclusão: Embora material genético de Helicobacter spp. encontrou-se em algumos animais não houve relação com lesões gástricas. Possivelmente a helicobacterioses não tem papel relevante na etiologia da SUGE.

Streptococcus equi culture prevalence, associated risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility in a horse population from Colombia.

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of S. equi in a horse population in Colombia, to determine the risk factors associated with its detection in the guttural pouches and to report the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Fifteen farms and 137 horses >6 months of age were enrolled. Sampling was randomly, stratified and proportional to the population size of each farm. The guttural pouch (GP) was swabbed via endoscopic guidance and culture was performed. DNA extraction and conventional PCR were performed in colonies compatibles with S. equi, the PCR products were sequenced and subjected to BLAST analysis. Antimicrobial drug sensitivity was assessed using an antimicrobial disc diffusion assay including penicillin, ceftiofur, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole (TMS), enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline. A mixed logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate risk factors associated with the presence of S. equi. The S. equi culture prevalence in the GP was 15%; 13.5 % for S. equi subsp. equi and 1.5% for S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. History of travel was associated with the presence of S. equi, whereas every 1-year increase in age decreased the risk for S. equi detection in the GP. All isolates were susceptible to TMS, ceftiofur and penicillin, but resistant to enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline. S. equi is present in horses in Colombia, with a high prevalence and appear to be endemic in the tested population. Younger horses and horses with recent history of travelling had higher odds of testing positive for S. equi in swabs of the GP.

Premature separation of the placenta in an asinine female (Equus asinus) and Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome: a case report¤ / Separación prematura de placenta en una hembra asnal (Equus asinus) y síndrome de mal ajuste neonatal: reporte de caso / Separação prematura de placenta em uma fêmea asnal (Equusasinus) e síndrome de ajuste defeituoso neonatal: relato de caso

An Equus asinus female in advanced gestation state was atended in the field, and by clinical examination manifested signs of discomfort, lateral trunk movements, postration, turning, dyspnea, rythmic abdominal movements, edematous vulva and serosanguinous secretion. The animal initiated labor, evidencing "red bag" (premature chorioallantoic separation), and obstetric manuevers were required to allow the birth of the foal, who presented signs of immaturity such as: fallen ears, soft hoves, absence of sucking reflex, postration and hypothermia. Premature separation of the placenta is diagnosed and neonatal maladjustment syndrome in the foal. The presentation of placenta previa and the onset of labor, has a direct relation with the posible neonatal maladjustment syndrome. The present case is described due to the low frequency of presentation in the Equus asinus species, in creole donkeys and as the first case described in this species in Colombia.

Una hembra Equus asinus en estado de gestación avanzada fue atendida en campo, la cual en el examen clínico manifestó signos de disconfort, movimientos laterales de tronco, postración, giros, disnea, movimientos abdominales rítmicos, vulva edematizada y secreción serosanguinolenta. El animal inició trabajo de parto evidenciando bolsa roja y se realizó maniobras obstétricas que permiten el nacimiento del borrico, el cual presentó signos de inmadurez como: orejas caídas, cascos blandos, ausencia de reflejo de succión, postración e hipotermia. Se diagnóstica separación prematura de placenta y síndrome de mal ajuste neonatal en el borrico. La presentación de placenta previa y el desencadenamiento del parto, tiene una relación directa con el posible síndrome de mal ajuste neonatal. Se describe el presente caso por su baja frecuencia en la especie Equus asinus, en asnos criollos y como primer caso descrito en la especie en Colombia.

Uma fêmea Equus asinus em estado de gestação avançada foi atendida em campo, a qual no exame clínico manifestou signos de desconforto, movimentos laterais de tronco, prostração, giros, disnea, movimentos abdominais rítmicos, vulva edemaciada e secreção sorosanguinolenta. O animal iniciou trabalho de parto evidenciando-se um saco vermelho e após se realizou manobras obstétricas que permitem o nascimento do burrico, o qual apresentou signos de imaturidade como: orelhas caídas, cascos moles, ausência do reflexo de sucção, prostração e hipotermia. Se diagnostica separação prematura de placenta e síndrome de ajuste defeituoso neonatal no burrico. A apresentação de placenta previa e o desencadeamento do parto, tem uma relação direta com a possível síndrome de ajuste defeituoso neonatal. Descreve-se este relato de caso por sua baixa frequência na espécie Equus asinus em jumentos crioulos e como o primeiro relato de caso descrito nesta espécie na Colômbia.