Pathology, infectious agents and horse- and management-level risk factors associated with signs of respiratory disease in Ethiopian working horses.

Authors: Laing Gabrielle, Christley Robert, Stringer Andrew, Ashine Tibebu, Cian Francesco, Aklilu Nigatu, Newton Richard, Radford Alan, Pinchbeck Gina

Journal: Equine veterinary journal

DOI: 10.1111/evj.13339 PubMed: 32853420Log in to save

Summary

# Editorial Summary Respiratory disease represents a significant welfare and productivity concern for working horses in Ethiopia, yet evidence-based information on causative pathogens and risk factors in this population has been limited. Researchers conducted an unmatched case-control study comparing 108 horses with recent coughing or clinical signs of respiratory disease (nasal discharge, altered respiration) to 93 control animals, performing endoscopic examination, tracheal wash sampling, serology and owner questionnaires to identify pathogens and management-associated risk factors. The most striking finding was a strong association between respiratory signs and Streptococcus zooepidemicus detection (odds ratio 12.4), though notably this organism is typically considered commensal; viral respiratory pathogens were not significantly implicated. Management and work-related factors emerged as important contributors, with strenuous work increasing disease odds 2.7-fold, stagnant water sources 2.3-fold, and cobbled floor housing 2-fold, whilst disease prevalence increased in both young and aged horses. For equine professionals working with working horses in resource-limited settings, these findings emphasise that attention to water quality, housing surfaces and work intensity may substantially reduce clinical respiratory disease, whilst the unexpected role of S. zooepidemicus warrants further investigation into conditions triggering pathogenicity in what is normally a benign organism.

Read the full abstract on PubMed

Practical Takeaways

•Management factors including water source quality, flooring type, and work intensity are modifiable risk factors for respiratory disease in working horses—prioritize clean water access and appropriate housing
•S. zooepidemicus plays a clinical role in respiratory disease in this population; monitor for this pathogen and consider management interventions alongside antimicrobial therapy
•Young and old working horses are at elevated risk and may require additional monitoring and careful management during respiratory challenges

Key Findings

•Streptococcus zooepidemicus was significantly associated with respiratory signs (OR: 12.4, 95% CI: 3.6-42.4)
•Strenuous work completion increased respiratory disease risk 2.7-fold (95% CI: 1.2-6.3)
•Drinking from stagnant water sources increased risk 2.3-fold (95% CI: 1.0-5.2)
•Housing on cobbled floors increased risk 2.0-fold (95% CI: 1.1-3.8), with young and old horses showing higher susceptibility

Conditions Studied

respiratory diseasecoughnasal dischargealtered respirationlower airway pathology

Related References

Respiratory disease and sero-epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in the working horses of Ethiopia.

Laing G, Christley R, Stringer A, Aklilu N, Ashine T, Newton R, Radford A, Pinchbeck G(2018)Equine veterinary journal

A case-control study of respiratory disease in Thoroughbred racehorses in Sydney, Australia.

Christley R M, Hodgson D R, Rose R J, Wood J L, Reids S W, Whitear K G, Hodgson J L(2001)Equine veterinary journal

Owner reported diseases of working equids in central Ethiopia.

Stringer A P, Christley R M, Bell C E, Gebreab F, Tefera G, Reed K, Trawford A, Pinchbeck G L(2017)Equine veterinary journal

Lower respiratory tract disease in Thoroughbred racehorses: analysis of endoscopic data from a UK training yard.

Ramzan P H L, Parkin T D H, Shepherd M C(2008)Equine veterinary journal

Equine Rhinitis A Virus Infection at a Standardbred Training Facility: Incidence, Clinical Signs, and Risk Factors for Clinical Disease.

Rossi Tanya M, Moore Alison, O'Sullivan Terri L, Greer Amy L(2019)Frontiers in veterinary science