New Perspectives in Infectious Diseases

Contents

Foreword: A Farewell and Thanks xiii

A. Simon Turner

Preface: New Perspectives in Infectious Diseases xv

Robert H. Mealey

Equine Herpesvirus 1 Myeloencephalopathy 489

Nicola Pusterla and Gisela Soboll Hussey
Equine myeloencephalopathy (EHM), an uncommon manifestation of
equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) infection, can cause devastating losses on
individual farms, boarding stables, veterinary hospitals, and show and rac-
ing venues. An improved understanding of EHM has emerged from exper-
imental studies and from data collected during field outbreaks at riding
schools, racetracks, horse shows, and veterinary hospitals throughout
North America and Europe. These outbreaks have highlighted the conta-
gious nature of EHV-1 and have prompted a reevaluation of diagnostic
procedures, treatment modalities, preventative measures, and biosecurity
protocols for this disease. This article focuses on recent data related to the
cause, epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunity, diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention of EHV-1 infection with emphasis on EHM.

Equine Influenza Virus 507

Gabriele A. Landolt
For decades the horse has been viewed as an isolated or “dead-end” host
for influenza A viruses, with equine influenza virus being considered as
relatively stable genetically. Although equine influenza viruses are geneti-
cally more stable than those of human lineage, they are by no means in
evolutionary stasis. Moreover, recent transmission of equine-lineage influ-
enza viruses to dogs also challenges the horse’s status as a dead-end
host. This article reviews recent developments in the epidemiology and
evolution of equine influenza virus. In addition, the clinical presentation
of equine influenza infection, diagnostic techniques, and vaccine recom-
mendations are briefly summarized.

West Nile Virus and Equine Encephalitis Viruses: New Perspectives 523
Maureen T. Long
Mosquito-borne diseases affect horses worldwide. Mosquito-borne dis-
eases generally cause encephalomyelitis in the horse and can be difficult
to diagnose antemortem. In addition to general disease, and diagnostic
and treatment aspects, this review article summarizes the latest informa-
tion on these diseases, covering approximately the past 5 years, with a
focus on new equine disease encroachments, diagnostic and vaccination
aspects, and possible therapeutics on the horizon.
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Equine Viral Arteritis 543

Udeni B.R. Balasuriya
Equine arteritis virus (EAV), the causative agent of equine viral arteritis
(EVA), is a respiratory and reproductive disease that occurs throughout
the world. EAV infection is highly species-specific and exclusively limited
to members of the family Equidae, which includes horses, donkeys, mules,
and zebras. EVA is an economically important disease and outbreaks
could cause significant losses to the equine industry. The primary objec-
tive of this article is to summarize current understanding of EVA, specif-
ically the disease, pathogenesis, epidemiology, host immune response,
vaccination and treatment strategies, prevention and control measures,
and future directions.

Equine Infectious Anemia in 2014: Live with It or Eradicate It? 561

Charles J. Issel, R. Frank Cook, Robert H. Mealey, and David W. Horohov
In the absence of an effective vaccine, the success of the test and removal
approach for the control of equine infectious anemia (EIA) cannot be over-
stated, at least in those areas where testing has been traditionally routine.
This article addresses 4 main aspects: what has been learned about EIA
virus, host control of its replication, and inapparent carriers; international
status regarding the control of EIA; diagnostic and laboratory investigation;
and reducing the spread of blood-borne infections by veterinarians. An
attempt is made to put these issues into practical contemporary perspec-
tives for the equine practitioner.

Hendra Virus 579

Deborah Middleton
Hendra virus infection of horses occurred sporadically between 1994 and
2010 as a result of spill-over from the viral reservoir in Australian mainland
flying-foxes, and occasional onward transmission to people also followed
from exposure to affected horses. An unprecedented number of outbreaks
were recorded in 2011 leading to heightened community concern. Release
of an inactivated subunit vaccine for horses against Hendra virus repre-
sents the first commercially available product that is focused on mitigating
the impact of a Biosafety Level 4 pathogen. Through preventing the devel-
opment of acute Hendra virus disease in horses, vaccine use is also
expected to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to people.

New Perspectives for the Diagnosis, Control, Treatment, and Prevention of

Strangles in Horses 591
Andrew S. Waller
Strangles, characterized by abscessation of the lymph nodes of the head
and neck, is the most frequently diagnosed infectious disease of horses
worldwide. The persistence of the causative agent, Streptococcus equi,
in a proportion of convalescent horses plays a critical role in the recurrence
and spread of disease. Recent research has led to the development of
effective diagnostic tests that assist the eradication of S equi from local
horse populations. This article describes how these advances have been
made and provides advice to assist the resolution and prevention of
 Contents ix

outbreaks. New perspectives on preventative vaccines and therapeutic

interventions are discussed.

Rhodococcus equi Foal Pneumonia 609

Noah D. Cohen
Pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi is an important cause of disease
and death in foals. This article reviews current knowledge of the epidemi-
ology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of
R equi pneumonia in foals.

Managing Salmonella in Equine Populations 623

Brandy A. Burgess and Paul S. Morley
Infection control is achieved through all efforts used to prevent the intro-
duction and limit the spread of contagious pathogens within a facility or
population, with the goal of eliminating sources of potentially pathogenic
microorganisms and to disrupt infectious disease transmission. Congre-
gating animals from multiple sources, as occurs at veterinary hospitals,
racetracks, equestrian events, and boarding and training facilities, in-
creases the risk for transmission of infectious diseases such as salmonella.
There is a recognizable standard of practice for infection control and due
effort must be given to control and prevention of infectious disease trans-
mission within animal populations and facilities.

Lawsonia intracellularis and Equine Proliferative Enteropathy 641

Allen E. Page, Nathan M. Slovis, and David W. Horohov
Lawsonia intracellularis is the etiologic agent for equine proliferative enter-
opathy (EPE), which typically affects weanling and yearling horses. In North
America, EPE cases often occur between August and January, although
cases outside of this time frame have been reported. Clinical signs of
EPE are usually nonspecific and include lethargy, pyrexia, anorexia, periph-
eral edema, weight loss, colic, and diarrhea. Diagnosis is based on the
presence of hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia along with clinical
signs and positive commercial serologic and/or molecular testing. Treat-
ment requires the use of antimicrobials with good intracellular penetration
and supportive care to prevent or decrease secondary complications.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis 659

Daniel K. Howe, Robert J. MacKay, and Stephen M. Reed
A video of the horse with EPM, acute ataxia caused by equine
protozoal myeloencephalitis accompanies this article.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) can be caused by either of 2

related protozoan parasites, Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi,
although S. neurona is the most frequent etiologic pathogen. Horses are
commonly infected, but clinical disease occurs infrequently; the factors
influencing disease occurrence are not well understood. Risk factors for
the development of EPM include the presence of opossums and prior
stressful health-related events. Attempts to reproduce EPM experimentally
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have reliably induced antibody responses in challenged horses but have

not consistently produced acute neurologic disease. Diagnosis and
options for treatment of EPM have improved over the past decade.

Equine Piroplasmosis 677

L. Nicki Wise, Angela M. Pelzel-McCluskey, Robert H. Mealey, and
Donald P. Knowles
Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the parasites Theileria equi and Babesia
caballi, is a globally important disease, affecting a large percentage of the
world’s horses. This article serves as a review of these divergent parasites.
Discussed are the clinical presentation of disease, diagnosis, and treat-
ment. Special attention is given to the current disease status specifically
in North America.

Infectious Diseases of Working Equids 695

Andrew P. Stringer
Most working equids reside in low-income countries where they have an
essential role in the livelihoods of their owners. Numerous infectious dis-
eases negatively impact the health and productivity of these animals.
There are considerable technical, social-behavioral, and institutional
impediments globally to reducing the burden of infectious diseases on
working equids. One the greatest remaining challenges is the lack of fund-
ing for research, resulting from the low priority assigned to working equids
by funding bodies. Changing the attitudes of decision makers will require
data-driven advocacy, and global networks of collaborators have a vital
role in building this more robust evidence base.

Index 719