Risk Factors For Horse Research Articles

Endoparasitism and risk factors in horses from ethnic communities in Andean areas of southern Chile.

Parasitic infections are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in horses worldwide. In the Andean mountainous regions of Chile, horses are a highly valued specie, playing a key role as working animals also providing support in cattle transhumance grazing into high mountainous areas during dry season. The breeding and maintenance of horses in the mountainous region of La Araucanía in Chile is a key issue allowing to the subsistence economy of communities with a strong ethnic component represented by Mapuche-Pehuenche origin families. However, the health status of these animals is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine endoparasitic infections in horses from this area and the main factors that may influence parasitism. Thus, a cross-sectional study performed in 126 working horses from Andean region was achieved by using different coproparasitologycal analyses, resulting in a 97,6% of prevalence of endoparasitism with the strongyle eggs showing the highest prevalence of infection in analysed horses (96%) followed by Oxyuris equi (27%), Parascaris equorum (17,5%) and protozoans including ciliates (11,1%), Blastocystis spp (5,6%), Giardia spp (2,4%) and Cryptosporidium spp (1,6%) highlighting zoonotic relevance of some of these species. Concerning risk factors, the high prevalence suggests that exposure was high regardless of age or sex. The higher proportion of infected horses were grazing compared to those stabled, likewise drinking non-potable water, being these the main risks factors linked to the high prevalence of horse infections in Andean communities here studied.

Investigation of Strongyle Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Horses in and around Alage District, Ethiopia.

Background Horses are used for a variety of purposes in Ethiopia. However, their service is hampered by a variety of health issues. Strongylosis is a parasitic infestation of the gastrointestinal tract that has a significant impact on the working ability, reproductive performance, well-being, and welfare of horses. The existence of Strongylosis in the study area is reported from clinical cases; however, its prevalence has not been well studied. Objective The current study was carried out from January 2019 to July 2019, to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Strongyle in horses in and around Alage district. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used, and 384 horses were sampled from three peasant associations inseparably. The floatation technique was used in laboratory analysis. Result Strongylosis was discovered in 67.19 percent of the cases. In Naka, Dilbato, and Koricho peasant associations, the infestation magnitudes were 64.1%, 68%, and 69.5%, respectively. The increased level of animal-related prevalence was observed in male (68.1 percent), young (84.4 percent), and poor body condition (90 percent) horses. Age and body condition scores were statistically significant associations with the disease under study at p ≤ 0.000. While sex and peasant associations did not predict the problem significantly (p ≤ 0.05), young horses and horses in poor and medium body conditions are 4.66 (CI: 2.22–9.76), 9.63 (CI: 3.77–24.63), and 1.93 (1.03–3.60) times more likely to be infected with Strongylosis, respectively. Conclusions The occurrence of Strongylosis is determined independently by age and BCS. Strongyle infestations are common in horses in the study area, posing a significant barrier to horse production and well-being. As a result, appropriate disease prevention and control measures should be implemented.

Equine arteritis virus seroprevalence and risk factors in horses in the inner Aegean and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is one of the most important respiratory and reproductive diseases of horses. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection and risk factors associated with seropositivity in clinically normal horses (n=262) in the inner Aegean region and Central Anatolia region of Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting sera samples (n = 262) from ambling horses raised in small family-type enterprises (n=65) during the months of February 2014 and February 2017. Epidemiological data were obtained from animal owners during blood sampling. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to detect specific antibodies against EAV in sera samples. Potential risk factors were determined by univariate logistic regression analysis. According to the test results, 8.40% (95% CI:5.61-12.39) seropositivity was detected in horses. While seropositivity rates by age were 2.47% in animals under 4 years of age, they were determined to be 11.05% in animals aged over 4 years (p=0.02). There was a statistically significant correlation between age, participation in races and festivals, precautions taken against rodents and insects at enterprises and EAV infection seropositivity (p<0.05). The findings obtained from this study are important in terms of informing breeders about the presence of this infection, taking infection-related biosecurity measures, and fighting the disease.

Prevalence of Strongyle Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Horses and Donkeys in and around Mekelle City, Northern Part of Ethiopia.

Background In Ethiopia, equines serve in traction power, carting, recreation, festival packing, riding, transportation, and other activities since time immemorial. Strongyles are common equine health problems in Ethiopia though research based data on equine strongyles are limited particularly in the study areas, in and around Mekelle city. Therefore, the present study was intended to estimate the prevalence of common equine strongyles in and around Mekelle city from November 2018 to April 2019 and to assess risk factors associated with infection of strongyle parasites as well. Cross sectional design was used in this study, and the study population consisted of both donkeys and horses of all age and both sex groups. From randomly selected horses and donkeys, approximately 25 grams of faecal samples was drawn with gloved hands from rectum of study equines, labeled, and transported to laboratory for coprological examination. Flotation technique was employed to separate parasitic eggs from faeces, followed by microscopic examination for identification of strongyle eggs based on morphology. Pearson's chi-square (χ2) was carried out to determine association between risk factors and parasitic infection. Moreover, both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed to assess the strength of association of those risk factors at 95% CI and P < 0.05. Result Out of 384 samples collected, 204 were found to be positive for strongyles with an overall prevalence of 53.13%. Prevalence of strongyle species in equines was also estimated to be 53% and 53.3% for donkeys and horses, respectively. Accordingly, of the six risk factors considered, only three factors (age, management type, and body condition scores) were found to influence the occurrence of strongyle infection and to be statistically significant as well. Conclusion The higher prevalence of equine strongyles in the present study might be suggestive of urgent and coordinated actions to be in place.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Horses of Central Mexico

Equines are affected by a large number of endoparasites, these can cause gastrointestinal signs, respiratory, poor performance, slow growth and even cause sudden death. The presence of parasites can be associated with various factors related to the animal and environmental or geographical factors. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection and risk factors in horses were evaluated. Stool samples belonging to 218 horses from different regions of central Mexico were analyzed by coproparasitological concentration-flotation technique. The fecal examinations were carried out from February to August in 2017. Among the 218 samples that were examined, 103 (47.24%) were found to be positive with several gastrointestinal parasites, with Strongylus spp. being the most prevalent (23.85%) followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (21.56%) and Parascaris spp. (11.93%). Breed and place of origin were significantly associated with helminth infection. Sex was associated as a significant risk factor (p Strongylus spp. on females and by Anoplocephala, on males. In central Mexico, gastrointestinal helminth infection appears to be relatively low.

Seroprevalence, frequency of leptospiuria, and associated risk factors in horses in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska from 2016-2017.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide veterinary and public health concern, and well recognized infectious disease of horses. Seroprevalence rates vary with geography, but many studies have confirmed a high exposure rate. The correlation between seropositivity and shedding status has not been made in horses, however. The aims of this study were to use semi-nested PCR on urine from apparently healthy horses to determine period prevalence of leptospiral shedding and to correlate these findings with MAT results to establish associations with client based survey data regarding horse management and environment. Serum and free-catch urine were collected from 204 healthy horses between May 2016-December 2017. Serum was used to determine GGT, creatinine concentrations, and six serovar MAT. Urine samples were submitted for PCR testing of leptospiral 23S rRNA. Client consent and survey data were collected for all subjects. Potential risk factors included drinking water source, exposure to livestock and dogs, geographical location, season, and precipitation. Two horses were positive on urine PCR for leptospirosis (shedding prevalence 1%), yet only one had a high reciprocal MAT titer of ≥ 800. Both horses were negative on urine PCR one month later without treatment. Approximately 77% of horses (157/204) were seroreactive (MAT reciprocal titer ≥ 100) with titers to serogroup Australis detected more frequently than others (47.5%; (97/204)). Apparently healthy horses infrequently shed Leptospira spp. in urine, yet seroreactivity in clinically normal horses is high (77%), confirming high exposure rates to Leptospira spp. in the Central Midwest.

Prevalence of Babesia caballi, Theileria equi and trypanosomiasis and analysis of risk factors in horses of Antioquia, Colombia

Esta investigacion, se llevo a cabo, debido a la poca informacion nacional existente en hemoparasitos equinos y su objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de babesiosis y tripanosomiasis, en el Valle de Aburra y Rionegro, municipios de Antioquia (Colombia), asi como algunos factores de riesgo asociados a la presentacion de seropositividad, a estas enfermedades. En 223 predios, con una poblacion de 1.008 equinos, se tomo muestra de sangre venosa, para realizar el diagnostico serologico y molecular. La informacion epidemiologica fue obtenida, a traves de la aplicacion de una encuesta dirigida a las personas a cargo de los animales. Para el analisis estadistico, se aplico Chi cuadrado de independencia y la Prueba Exacta de Fisher, cuando fue necesario. Para las asociaciones bivariadas, se calcularon estimaciones del riesgo (OR) por variable explicativa, con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza, del 95% (I.C. 95%). Se encontro una prevalencia del 11,9%, para babesiosis y de 1,9%, para tripanosomiasis; como factor de proteccion, se encontro el hecho de salir a una feria. Para la piroplasmosis, el lugar geografico, el sexo, estar castrado, ser positivos a Anemia Infecciosa Equina (AIE), estrongilidos u oxiurus fueron factores de riesgo. Para tripanosomiasis, el factor de riesgo fue estar infestado con Dermacentor nitens o ser mular. Se deben reforzar metodos de vigilancia epidemiologica activa, sobre todo, en casos de movilizacion continua de equinos o desarrollo de eventos, que involucren presencia masiva de ejemplares

Serological Evidence of Henipavirus among Horses and Pigs in Zaria and Environs in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Henipavirus is an emerging, zoonotic, and lethal RNA virus comprising Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), to which fruit bats are reservoir. Husbandry practices in Nigeria allow close contact between bat reservoir and animals susceptible to Henipavirus. This cross-sectional survey investigated antibodies reactive to Henipavirus sG antigen and associated risk factors in horses and pigs in Zaria, Nigeria. Using convenience sampling, 510 sera from horses (n=200) and pigs (n=310) were screened by an indirect Henipavirus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (CSIRO, Australia). Structured questionnaires were employed with questions on the demographics and management of the animals. Data were analysed using SPSS-17. 5. Seroprevalence was higher for horses managed intensively (21.1%); used for sports (25.5%); watered with pipe borne water (17.9%); fed commercial feed (22.3%); and fed in the pen (17.6%). Seroprevalence was higher for pigs managed intensively (58.1%); imported (69.5%); watered with pipe-borne water (31.3%); fed commercial feed (57.4%); fed in the pen (23.4%), and fed with feed prestored in a feed house (49.5%). Horses &lt;5 years and pigs &lt;6 months had higher seroprevalences of 18.1% and 21.3%, while the female horses and pigs had seroprevalences of 19.8% and 22.8%, respectively. Exotic horses and pigs revealed 25.5% and 55% and horses in Igabi and pigs in Giwa revealed 24.7% and 70.2% seroprevalence, respectively (P&lt;0.05). There is a suggestive evidence of Henipavirus in horses and pigs in Zaria, Nigeria, with a huge public health implication. Local and exotic pigs and horses, pigs in Zaria and Sabon-Gari, and horses in Zaria, Sabon-Gari, and Kaduna North are associated with the seroprevalence of henipaviruses.

Horse and Buggy Crash Study III: Low Illumination and the Sun’s Glare in Crashes between Motor Vehicles and Amish / Old Order Mennonite Horse and Buggies

The purpose of this study is to identify time periods of particular crash risk through the day for Amish and Old Order Mennonite horse & buggies. As suggested in prior studies, transitional illumination (dawn/dusk) may be a risk to travel because of a lighting situation that lowers visibility, and the sun’s glare at these same times may obstruct motorists’ vision. The speed differences between buggies and motor vehicles are already great; reduced vision compounds the problem of response time. To assess risk, I compare horse and buggy traffic counts to the times of horse and buggy crashes over a nine-year period. Periods of particularly high risk include the early morning and early evening, during times of illumination transition and high possibility of glare, though the dusk period is punctuated with an hour of low risk. The afternoon and late evening are periods of modest risk. Mid-morning hours are the lowest risk. This study yields mixed results for the hypothesis. When considered in light of previous findings, this study brings more evidence to bear on illumination and glare as particular risk factors for horse and buggy crashes.

Factors associated with the risk of developing sarcoid tumours in horses.

A retrospective case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors in horses associated with the development of the common skin tumours known as sarcoids. The study involved 503 sarcoid cases diagnosed (January 1980-December 1989) at New York State College of Veterinary Medicine and a similar number of controls (non-sarcoid cases). Data on age, breed and sex of cases and controls were obtained from computerised records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Separate data were obtained for the same 10-year period from the Veterinary Medical Data Program to determine the proportional morbidity rate at different veterinary colleges in North America. Appaloosa, Arabian and Quarter horses were at a higher risk of developing sarcoid tumours than were Thoroughbred horses. Standardbred horses had a lower risk of developing sarcoids. Geldings were at a higher risk of developing sarcoids in comparison with stallions. There was no significant difference in the risk of developing sarcoids between stallions and mares. The risk of developing sarcoid increased with age up to 15 years and then declined. The proportional morbidity rate of sarcoids among the veterinary colleges ranged between 0 and 14 per 1,000 cases, with an average of 6 per 1,000.