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An Q, Li Y, Sun Z, Gao X, Wang H. Spatiotemporal analysis of equine infectious anemia and prediction of risk areas in Europe. Prev Vet Med 2024; 230:106281. [PMID: 38986294 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a vector-borne persistent viral infection in equine animals. The EIA is characterized by recurrent fever, thrombocytopenia, depression, anemia, rapid weight loss, and lower body edema. Control of EIA is achieved through the elimination or isolation of infected animals, resulting in significant economic losses. In recent years, many countries in Europe have experienced outbreaks of EIA, which could potentially develop into a new wave of epidemic and pose a significant threat to the healthy development of the equine industry. This study utilized spatiotemporal analysis techniques and ecological niche modeling to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of historical EIA outbreaks and predict risk areas for EIA occurrence in Europe. Spatiotemporal analysis results indicate that from 2005 to 2023, the EIA outbreaks in Europe exhibit five significant spatiotemporal clusters, with hotspots concentrated in southeastern France and northwestern Italy. Ecological niche modeling reveals that western, central, and southern Europe are high-risk areas for EIA outbreaks. Annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, and horse density are important variables that influence the occurrence of EIA. The results of this study can provide decision-makers with valuable insights, helping with EIA monitoring and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi An
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuepeng Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhuo Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiang Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongbin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
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Knox A, Beddoe T. Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technologies for the Detection of Equine Viral Pathogens. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072150. [PMID: 34359278 PMCID: PMC8300645 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Equine viral diseases remain a prominent concern for human and equine health globally. Many of these viruses are of primary biosecurity concern to countries that import equines where these viruses are not present. In addition, several equine viruses are zoonotic, which can have a significant impact on human health. Current diagnostic techniques are both time consuming and laboratory-based. The ability to accurately detect diseases will lead to better management, treatment strategies, and health outcomes. This review outlines the current modern isothermal techniques for diagnostics, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification and insulated isothermal polymerase chain reaction, and their application as point-of-care diagnostics for the equine industry. Abstract The global equine industry provides significant economic contributions worldwide, producing approximately USD $300 billion annually. However, with the continuous national and international movement and importation of horses, there is an ongoing threat of a viral outbreak causing large epidemics and subsequent significant economic losses. Additionally, horses serve as a host for several zoonotic diseases that could cause significant human health problems. The ability to rapidly diagnose equine viral diseases early could lead to better management, treatment, and biosecurity strategies. Current serological and molecular methods cannot be field-deployable and are not suitable for resource-poor laboratories due to the requirement of expensive equipment and trained personnel. Recently, isothermal nucleic acid amplification technologies, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and insulated isothermal polymerase chain reaction (iiPCR), have been developed to be utilized in-field, and provide rapid results within an hour. We will review current isothermal diagnostic techniques available to diagnose equine viruses of biosecurity and zoonotic concern and provide insight into their potential for in-field deployment.
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Camino E, Schmid S, Weber F, Pozo P, de Juan L, König M, Cruz-Lopez F. Detection of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis flaviviruses in breeding and sport horses from Spain. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101487. [PMID: 32723662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and louping-ill virus (LIV) are two closely related zoonotic flaviviruses leading to neurological diseases and belonging to the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) serocomplex. Both viruses are transmitted by the same ixodid tick vector, Ixodes ricinus. Due to global warming affecting vector biology and pathogen transmission, the viruses pose an emerging threat for public health in Europe and Asia. These flaviviruses share some hosts, like sheep, goats and humans, although the main hosts for LIV and TBEV are sheep and small rodents, respectively. Whereas LIV has been detected in Spanish sheep and goat herds, circulating antibodies against TBEV have only been reported in dogs and horses from particular regions in this country. The limited available information about the prevalence of these viruses in Spain led us to investigate the serological evidence of TBE flaviviruses in horses from Spain. Serum neutralization tests (SNT) were performed using sera from 495 breeding and sport horses collected during two periods (2011-2013 and 2015-2016). A seroprevalence of 3.1 % (95 % CI 1.5-4.6) was found and cross-reactivity with West Nile virus was excluded in the positive samples. Sport horses showed a significantly higher TBE serocomplex seropositivity compared to breeding horses. An increased seroprevalence was observed in the second sampling period (2015-2016). Our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of antibodies against TBE flaviviruses in horses residing in mainland Spain; further epidemiological surveys are necessary in order to understand and monitor the active transmission of TBE flaviviruses in this country and rule out the presence of other flaviviruses co-circulating in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Camino
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Schmid
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Weber
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - P Pozo
- MAEVA SERVET, S.L., Alameda del Valle, Spain
| | - L de Juan
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Animal Health Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - M König
- Institute of Virology. Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - F Cruz-Lopez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
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Alnaeem AA, Hemida MG. Surveillance of the equine infectious anemia virus in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016. Vet World 2019; 12:719-723. [PMID: 31327910 PMCID: PMC6584864 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.719-723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is one of the most important threats to the equine industry globally. This is due to the poor performance of the affected horses, which requires euthanization of the infected animals upon the infection confirmation. Infected animals remain carriers throughout their life. EIAV infection has been reported in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, the EIAV status is never assessed in horses in the Gulf area, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Aim This study aimed to perform molecular and serological surveillance among some horse populations in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods Sera and whole blood were collected from 361 horses and 19 donkeys from the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during January 2014-December 2016. Sera were tested by the commercial EIAV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Moreover, the collected blood samples were tested by the commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction kits. Results Our serological surveillance revealed the absence of any antibodies against EIAV in the tested animals. Similar results were reported for the tested horses' plasma. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in horses and donkeys from Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during the tenure of the current study. However, careful monitoring of the EIAV is highly recommended to avoid the emergence of such a virus in the horse population in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first EIAV surveillance conducted not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Gulf area. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in the tested equine population in the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maged Gomaa Hemida
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
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Camino E, de la Cruz ML, Dominguez L, Carvajal KA, Fores P, de Juan L, Cruz-Lopez F. Epidemiological Situation of the Exposure to Agents Causing Equine Piroplasmosis in Spanish Purebred Horses in Spain: Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Cruz-Lopez F, Newton R, Sanchez-Rodriguez A, Ireland J, Mughini-Gras L, Moreno MA, Fores P. Equine viral arteritis in breeding and sport horses in central Spain. Res Vet Sci 2017; 115:88-91. [PMID: 28161600 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Equine viral arteritis (EVA) may have a high economic impact on breeding stud farms due to the occurrence of EVA-associated abortion outbreaks and the ability of the virus to persist in carrier stallions. While the consequences of EVA in premises with sport horses are usually less severe, the first confirmed outbreak of EVA in Spain occurred in a riding club in Barcelona, but no data on the seroprevalence of EVA in sport horses have been reported in Spain. Given the importance of both Spanish Purebred (SP) breeding horses and sport horses for Spain's equine industry, the aim of this study was to determine and compare the seroprevalence of EVA in these two horse populations in central Spain. Serum samples from 155 SP breeding horses residing in 16 stud farms and 105 sport horses of different breeds housed in 12 riding clubs, collected between September 2011 and November 2013, were tested using a commercial EVA antibody ELISA test with a 100% sensitivity, and confirmed by seroneutralisation (SN) test. EVA seroprevalence in SP breeding horses was higher 21.1% (95% CI 15.3-26.8%) than that in sport horses (6.7%, 95% CI 1.89-11.45%). However, the primary use (breeding vs. sport) was not significantly associated with seropositivity to Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV), suggesting that different management factors do not affect EVA circulation in these two horse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Cruz-Lopez
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Richard Newton
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Sanchez-Rodriguez
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joanne Ireland
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel A Moreno
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Fores
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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Stresman G, Cameron A, Drakeley C. Freedom from Infection: Confirming Interruption of Malaria Transmission. Trends Parasitol 2017; 33:345-352. [PMID: 28108199 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The global reductions in disease burden and the continued spread of drug and insecticide resistance make malaria elimination both viable and imperative, although this may be more easily achieved in some settings compared to others. Whilst the focus has been on optimal approaches to achieve elimination, less attention has been paid to how to measure the absence of malaria. Measuring the absence of transmission poses a specific challenge in that it involves proving a negative. The concept of freedom from infection, routinely used in veterinary epidemiology, can provide quantitative and reproducible estimates that, if infections were present above a predefined (low) threshold, they would be detected with a known uncertainty. Additionally, these methods are adaptable for both passively and actively collected data as well as combining information when multiple surveillance streams are available. Here we discuss the potential application of this approach to malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Stresman
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Cruz F, Fores P, Mughini-Gras L, Ireland J, Moreno MA, Newton JR. Seroprevalence and factors associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 and 4 in Spanish Purebred horses in Spain. Vet Rec 2016; 178:398. [PMID: 26984900 DOI: 10.1136/vr.103573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and type 4 (EHV-4) have a worldwide distribution and cause respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death and myeloencephalopathy in susceptible horses. Given the scarcity of serological EHV-1/EHV-4 data in Spain, the objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the seroprevalence of EHV-1/EHV-4 and to identify potential horse-level and stud farm-level factors associated with EHV-1/EHV-4 in the breeding Spanish Purebred (SP) horse population in central Spain. Serum samples from 334 SP unvaccinated horses, collected between September 2011 and November 2013 at 30 stud farms, were tested using a commercially available EHV-1/EHV-4 antibody ELISA and seroneutralisation as the World Organisation for Animal Health reference confirmation test. Data on factors putatively associated with seropositivity to EHV-1/EHV-4 were collected via a questionnaire and examined using logistic regression analysis. EHV-1/EHV-4 seroprevalence in the SP breeding population in central Spain, standardised for the sex distribution of the reference horse population, was 53.9 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 44.0 per cent to 63.8 per cent). Increasing age, southern location of the stud farm, temperate climate during the summer, and a smaller surface area used for breeding activities in the farm were associated with increased odds for EHV-1/EHV-4 seropositivity, whereas EHV-1/EHV-4 vaccination of other resident horses and separation of breeding mares from youngsters were protective factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cruz
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Fores
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Mughini-Gras
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - J Ireland
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
| | - M A Moreno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - J R Newton
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK
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Cruz F, Fores P, Mughini-Gras L, Ireland J, Moreno MA, Newton R. Seroprevalence and factors associated with seropositivity to equine arteritis virus in Spanish Purebred horses in Spain. Equine Vet J 2015; 48:573-7. [PMID: 26278700 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Equine viral arteritis (EVA), a disease caused by infection with the equine arteritis virus (EAV), is present in many European countries. In Spain, the last confirmed outbreak was reported in 1992 and there is a paucity of seroprevalence studies. The disease has a major impact on the equine breeding industry, which is mainly represented by Spanish Purebred (SP) horses in Spain. OBJECTIVES To estimate the seroprevalence of EAV in the breeding SP horse population in central Spain and identify potential horse and studfarm level factors associated with seropositivity to EAV. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Individual serum samples from 555 SP horses, collected between September 2011 and November 2013 at 35 studfarms, were tested using a commercially available EAV antibody ELISA and seroneutralisation as the World Organisation for Animal Health reference confirmation test for samples with positive and equivocal results. Data on factors putatively associated with seropositivity to EAV were collected via a questionnaire and examined using random effects logistic regression for analysis of clustered data. RESULTS Equine arteritis virus seroprevalence in the SP breeding population in central Spain standardised for the sex distribution of the reference horse population, was estimated to be 16.8% (95% confidence interval 5.2-28.5%). Increasing numbers of breeding mares on the studfarm and increasing percentage of mares with reproductive problems during the last 12 months were identified as being positively associated with EAV seropositivity. Mares vaccinated against Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and/or -4 (EHV-4) were also positively associated with EAV seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings are of importance to ensure appropriate biosecurity measures for studfarms are carried out and may help facilitate the development of an EVA surveillance programme in the SP breeding horse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cruz
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - P Fores
- Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Mughini-Gras
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Ireland
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK
| | - M A Moreno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Newton
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Suffolk, UK
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