Frequency of Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Nasal Secretions From Healthy Sport Horses Attending a Spring Show in California

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine detection frequency of respiratory viruses (equine influenza virus [EIV], equine herpesvirus-1 [EHV-1], EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5, equine rhinitis A virus [ERAV], ERBV) and bacteria (Streptococcus equi ss. equi[S. equi], S. equi ss. zooepidemicus[S. zooepidemicus]) in 162 nasal secretions and 149 stall swabs from healthy sport horses attending a spring show in California. Nasal and stall swabs were collected at a single time point and analyzed using qPCR. The detection frequency of respiratory pathogens in nasal secretions was 38.9% for EHV-2, 36.4% for EHV-5, 19.7% for S. zooepidemicus, 1.2% for ERBV, 0.6% for S. equi and 0% for EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4 and ERAV. The detection frequency of respiratory pathogens in stall swabs was 65.8% for S. zooepidemicus, 33.5% for EHV-2, 27.5% for EHV-5, 3.3% for EHV-1, 1.3% for EHV-4 and 0% for EIV, ERAV, ERBV and S. equi. Commensal viruses and bacteria were frequently detected in nasal secretions and stall swabs from healthy sport horses. This was in sharp contrast to the subclinical shedding of well-characterized respiratory pathogens. Of interest was the clustering of five EHV-1 qPCR-positive stalls from apparently healthy horses with no evidence of clinical spread. The results highlight the role of subclinical shedders in introducing respiratory pathogens to shows and their role in environmental contamination. The results also highlight the need to improve cleanliness and disinfection of stalls utilized by performance horses during show events.