EQUINE | Abstracts
EQUINE | Abstracts
African horse sickness : The potential for an outbreak in disease-free regions and current disease control and elimination techniques .
Review article Robin M , et al . Equine Vet J . 2016 .
Abstract
African horse sickness ( AHS ) is an arboviral disease of equids transmitted by Culicoides biting midges . The virus is endemic in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and official AHS disease-free status can be obtained from the World Organization for Animal Health on fulfilment of a number of criteria . AHS is associated with case fatality rates of up to 95 %, making an outbreak among naïve horses both a welfare and economic disaster .
The worldwide distributions of similar vector-borne diseases ( particularly bluetongue disease of ruminants ) are changing rapidly , probably due to a combination of globalisation and climate change . There is extensive evidence that the requisite conditions for an AHS epizootic currently exist in disease-free countries . In particular , although the stringent regulations enforced upon competition horses make them extremely unlikely to redistribute the virus , there are great concerns over the effects of illegal equid movement . An outbreak of AHS in a disease free region would have catastrophic effects on equine welfare and industry , particularly for international events such as the Olympic Games . While many regions have contingency plans in place to manage an outbreak of AHS , further research is urgently required if the equine industry is to avoid or effectively contain an AHS epizootic in disease-free regions . This review describes the key aspects of AHS as a global issue and discusses the evidence supporting concerns that an epizootic may occur in AHS free countries , the planned government responses , and the roles and responsibilities of equine veterinarians .
Effect of storage time and temperature on the results of analysis of synovial and mesothelial fluids .
Hughes KJ , et al . Equine Vet J . 2016 .
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY : Delays between collection and laboratory analysis of equine body fluid samples are common in practice ; however , the effects of delays on the accuracy of results and diagnostic interpretation are unknown .
OBJECTIVES : To assess the effects of storage time and temperature combination on protein and cell parameters of equine synovial and mesothelial cavity fluids and determine whether any changes affect clinicopathological interpretation .
STUDY DESIGN : In vitro experiment .
METHODS : Body fluid samples obtained from horses during diagnostic investigation were divided into 7 aliquots and total protein concentration ( TP ), total nucleated cell count and neutrophil morphology were analysed immediately ( T0 ) and at 24 ( T24 ), 48 ( T48 ) and 72 h ( T72 ) after storage at 4 ° C or 22 ° C . Linear mixed models were used to analyse effects of fluid type and storage conditions on TP , TNCC and neutrophil morphology grade . Changes in interpretation of samples over time and diagnostic performance at each analysis point were recorded .
RESULTS : Thirty-two samples were collected from 23 horses . Storage had no effect on TP . Cell count was influenced by fluid type and was significantly reduced at T72 for storage at 4 ° C and T24 , T48 and T72 for 22 ° C
40 • Equine Health Update •