Seroprevalence of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in racing horses

摘要

Strangles is a common contagious disease in horses caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. Asymptomatic carriers transfer S Equi to healthy horses by discharge through the nostrils polluting water, food and the environment. 135 Stallions and 49mares with or without clinical strangles kept in racing clubs around Tabriz, Iran, were tested for anti-SeM antibody ELISA to S equi. Results suggest that the test could detect asymptomatic carriers with an optical density cutoff value >0.30. In horses without strangles (100), antibody titers were 59.5026.33, and in 84 carriers were 120.1014.68 (P < 0.001). Sero-prevalence in all horses was 45.7% (Confidence interval 95% 54.22-66.96%). The mean and standard deviation of S/P in 184 serum samples were 87.16% and 37.26%, respectively. Frequency of S equi in racing horses was high and appropriate sanitary, quarantine, and serological measures are recommended.