Equine Veterinary Journal最新文献

{"title":"Born to run? Associations between gestational and early-life exposures and later-life performance outcomes in Thoroughbreds.","authors":"Rebecca Mouncey, Amanda M de Mestre, Juan Carlos Arango-Sabogal, Kristien L Verheyen","doi":"10.1111/evj.70084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gestational and early-life exposures may modulate development during growth and influence future athletic performance.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate associations between gestational and early-life exposures in Thoroughbreds and (i) likelihood of racing, (ii) total number of runs and (iii) total prizemoney by the end of the 3-year-old year.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Prospective cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Daily records were kept on the location and duration of turnout, management and veterinary-attended episodes of disease or injury from birth until leaving the farm or study exit for 129 Thoroughbred foals on six stud farms. Dams' signalments, reproductive and gestational health records were collated concurrently. Available race performance records to the end of the fourth year of life were collected from industry databases. Mixed effects logistic and linear regression modelling, including farm, mare and stallion as random effects, were used to investigate associations between gestational and early-life exposures and race performance outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 76% (98/129, 95% CI: 68-82) of horses raced, making a median of 7 starts (IQR 4-11, range 1-23) and earning a median of £6898 (IQR 1712-17,987; range 0-197,601) in prizemoney. Increasing average daily turnout time (hours) and turnout area (acres) in the first 6 months of life were associated with increased odds of racing and increased total prizemoney earned, respectively (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09-1.58 p = 0.004 and β-coefficient = 0.32 (lnGBP), 95% CI: 0.03-0.61, p = 0.03). Age at weaning (days) was associated with increased odds of racing and an increased total number of runs (OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05 and β-coefficient = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.04-0.14, p < 0.05, respectively).</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Absence of training-related data; low study power for some exposure variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>More extensive early-life turn out practices and later weaning enhanced later-life race performance outcomes. This could be due to increased opportunity for positive musculoskeletal tissue adaptation and optimal growth and development rates during a critical window of developmental plasticity.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Airborne detection of Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 at international equestrian events.","authors":"Amjad Khan, Eduard Jose-Cunilleras, Emma Hyde, Edward Olajide, Maria C Polo, Lutz S Goehring","doi":"10.1111/evj.70078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) remains a major concern for the equine industry, with recent outbreaks at international equestrian events highlighting the need for improved surveillance during competitions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate EHV-1 and -4 presence in shared airspaces and environmental surfaces in direct contact with horses at international equestrian events; and to evaluate air sampling as a surveillance alternative to individual horse testing.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional field study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Air (37) and surface samples (205) were collected from temporary stabling facilities across six events in Spain and 2 in the United States at different seasons over 10 months. Viral DNA (genomic copies) was measured and quantified by quantitative and digital PCR. During all the Spanish events, we sampled the air twice, early evening and night.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>EHV-1 was frequently detected in the air in 20/28 samples in Spain, in all 3 samples from Florida and in 3/6 samples from Kentucky. Surface samples were positive 15.6% in Spain, 26.3% in Florida and 0.0% in Kentucky. EHV-4 was found in air samples at rates of 12/28 in Spain, 5/6 in Kentucky and 0/3 in Florida, with surface detection of 1.6% in Spain and 7% in Kentucky. No significant differences were observed between daytime (high activity) and nighttime (low activity) airborne viral loads, suggesting that daytime horse movement and management practices had minimal impact on detection levels in our study. A positive correlation (Cohen's K = 0.401) and moderate agreement between surface and air positivity for EHV-1 emphasised the potential of air sampling as a non-invasive, cohort-based surveillance tool.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Virus isolation was not used; only molecular detection was employed, which limits conclusions about transmission risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings underscore the utility of air sampling for early EHV-1 detection at mass gatherings; although further validation is needed to connect genomic detection to active shedding and viral infectivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global survey on the utilisation and experiences with different retrobulbar anaesthesia techniques in horses.","authors":"Simona Lieberth, Katharina Thieme, Christian Dancker, Roswitha Merle, Johanna Corinna Eule","doi":"10.1111/evj.70082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Retrobulbar anaesthesia (RBA) is relevant for ocular surgery in standing sedated horses.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Gathering insights on experiences with RBA techniques.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross-sectional survey.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online survey collected information on the respondents' professional background, indications, injection methods, use of ultrasound assistance, medication, and complications associated with RBA in horses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two-hundred and thirty-eight veterinarians from 25 countries contributed. 86.1% were members of veterinary specialty colleges. RBA indications were enucleation (97.8%), corneal surgery (29.5%), eyelid surgery, paracentesis of the vitreous and anterior chamber, cataract surgery and vitrectomy (<10.0% each). The dorsal approach was most commonly used (88.8%), followed by the 4-point (34.8%), lateral (8.9%), and modified Peterson blocks (2.2%). Ultrasound-assisted needle positioning was used by 16.1%. Most commonly administered drugs were mepivacaine (67.4%), lidocaine (56.3%), and bupivacaine (37.9%). Complications included lack of anaesthesia (40.6%), exophthalmos (33.5%), chemosis (32.1%), and retrobulbar haemorrhage (22.8%). The choice of injection method and reported complications were significantly influenced by participants' professional backgrounds: as horse caseload percentage increased, dorsal injection use decreased (p = 0.011, OR 0.981, 95% CI 0.967-0.996), injection-related complications increased (p < 0.001, OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.006-1.024), and postoperative complications decreased (p < 0.001, OR 0.983, 95% CI 0.976-0.991). As ophthalmic case percentage increased, dorsal injection use increased (p = 0.009, OR 1.022, 95% CI 1.006-1.039), 4-point injection method decreased (p = 0.044, OR 0.993, 95% CI: 0.986-1.000), injection-related complications decreased (p < 0.001, OR 0.985, 95% CI 0.978-0.993), and postoperative complications increased (p < 0.001, OR 1.019, 95% CI 1.012-1.027).</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Results may reflect selection and recall bias; complication prevalence was not assessed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Dorsal and 4-point blocks are the most used, varying by participants' professional background. RBA causes mostly mild complications; severe ones are rare.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947395","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Flow-controlled expiration improves gas exchange in anaesthetised horses undergoing orthopaedic surgery.","authors":"Klaus Hopster, Joao Henrique Neves Soares, David Levine, Kyla Ortved, Bernd Driessen, Joaquin Araos","doi":"10.1111/evj.70079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Flow-controlled expiration (FLEX) has been shown to significantly enhance oxygenation in horses under laboratory conditions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to corroborate these findings by evaluating the effects of FLEX on gas exchange in a randomised clinical trial involving a large population of clinical horses undergoing orthopaedic surgery.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Prospective randomised clinical trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 406 healthy adult horses scheduled for elective orthopaedic procedures were recruited for this prospective clinical trial. Horses were randomly assigned to FLEX or VCV (volume-controlled ventilation) groups in dorsal (VCV-D and FLEX-D) or lateral recumbency (VCV-L and FLEX-L). Arterial blood gases were measured at 30, 75, and 120 min post-induction to assess arterial oxygenation (arterial partial pressure of oxygen to inspired fraction of oxygen ratio, PaO₂/FiO₂). A global index of ventilation/perfusion matching ([PaCO₂ - ETCO₂]/PaCO₂) was also calculated. Peak airway pressure (P_peak) and tidal volume were measured to calculate dynamic respiratory system compliance (Cdyn). Data were compared with repeated-measures ANOVA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Horses ventilated with FLEX showed significantly higher PaO₂/FiO₂ (FLEX-D vs. VCV-D, 369 ± 42 vs. 198 ± 112 mmHg, p < 0.001; FLEX-L vs. VCV-L, 436 ± 38 vs. 249 ± 88 mmHg, p < 0.001). FLEX also improved Cdyn (FLEX-D vs. VCV-D, 0.81 ± 0.1 vs. 0.64 ± 0.12, p = 0.01) and the global V̇/Q̇ index ([PaCO₂ - ETCO₂]/PaCO₂) (FLEX-D vs. VCV-D, 0.11 ± 0.03 vs. 0.18 ± 0.03, p = 0.03) in dorsal-positioned but not lateral-positioned horses.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Anaesthesia protocols were not standardised; anaesthetists were not masked to the intervention of interest, and findings may not be generalisable to other patient populations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results confirm previous laboratory findings, demonstrating that FLEX improves oxygenation, ventilation-perfusion matching, and respiratory mechanics compared to VCV in a large clinical population of anaesthetised horses.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A longitudinal study of radiodensity and radiographic appearance of the proximal sesamoid bones in Thoroughbred racehorses.","authors":"Koppány Boros, Sue Dyson, Danica Pollard, Annamária Nagy","doi":"10.1111/evj.70075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are limited data on long-term follow-up of radiographic changes of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in Thoroughbred racehorses. The effect of training and racing on radiodensity of the PSBs in live Thoroughbreds has not been described.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To follow radiographic changes of the PSBs in racehorses over 2 years and describe alterations in overall radiodensity.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Prospective cohort study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty yearlings were enrolled at the first examination (T0). Re-examinations were performed four times, approximately 6 months apart, on 31 (T1), 23 (T2), 13 (T3) and 8 (T4) horses. Radiographic and fan-beam computed tomographic (CT) examinations of both metacarpophalangeal regions were performed. The PSBs were graded (0-3) based on the number of enlarged (width ≥2 mm) vascular channels. The presence of abaxial margin new bone formation, concavity, and irregularity were recorded. The mean Hounsfield Unit (HU) values of the PSBs were measured on multiplanar CT reconstructions. Multivariable mixed-effects regression models estimated the effect of horse signalment and radiographic appearance on mean HU (linear) and the association between radiographic appearance and horse signalment (logistic).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean HU was lowest at T0 (1064.0 ± 65.1) and highest at T3 (1194.5 ± 78.6). Increasing mean HU was associated with an increasing number of total starts (p < 0.001), increasing bodyweight: height ratio (p < 0.001) and was higher in medial vs. lateral PSBs (p = 0.01). Abaxial new bone formation was associated with a higher grade (p = 0.004) and lateral PSBs (p = 0.04). Abaxial margin concavity was more likely in younger horses (p = 0.01), medial PSBs (p = 0.03) and the left forelimb (p = 0.03). Abaxial margin surface irregularity was more likely in younger horses (p = 0.02) and medial PSBs (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Results may not be representative of all racehorse populations. A substantial number of horses were lost to follow-up. The PSBs were examined in isolation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Increasing PSB radiodensity in racehorses was associated with the number of race starts and related training. Abaxial margin concavities and irregularities may be normal developmental features. Radiographic improvement of PSB grades is possible.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cost of referral treatment for colic in the United Kingdom-What has changed in the last 5 years?","authors":"F E Wilson, T S Mair, S L Freeman","doi":"10.1111/evj.70074","DOIUrl":"10.1111/evj.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Referral treatment costs and insurance status impact treatment decisions for colic.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate changes in the cost of referral treatment for colic, and insurance cover and premiums in the United Kingdom between 2018 and 2023.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Cross sectional study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty UK equine referral hospitals were contacted in January 2024 and asked about their colic caseload and costs of the last three cases across six categories (surgical +/- resection, euthanasia before, during or after surgery, and medical treatment), using similar methodology to a 2018 study. Data are reported as mean/median (range). A standardised case was used to retrieve data on veterinary fees, insurance cover, and monthly premiums from five companies. Findings were compared with actual and inflation-adjusted 2018 data. Readability of insurance documents were assessed using the Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease (FKRE) score and the Gunning Fog Score (GFS). The FKRE is ranked from 0 to 100 (easy to read-hard to read); FKRE scores below are 65 recommended. The GFS estimates the years of formal education needed to understand text; GFS scores higher than 12 are too complex for most people to read.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighteen hospitals responded, contributing costings for 248 cases in total. Mean/median (range) costs for cases euthanised without surgery (n = 41) were £1200 (£500-£4389), for medical cases (n = 44) were £2379 (£683-£13,762), and for all surgical cases that survived surgery (n = 122) were £7905 (£3023-£20,343). When compared with inflation-adjusted 2018 data, medical treatment and euthanasia without surgery costs had increased; surgery costs had decreased. Maximum insurance cover was between £5000 and £7500. The actual cover value had not changed for 3/5 companies since 2018, and was reduced for 4/5 companies after inflation adjustment. Monthly premiums ranged from £42.76 to £97.23, and were all increased compared with 2018 inflation-adjusted data (£34.01-£59.39). Insurance document FKRE Scores ranged from 31.2 to 54.8, and GFS ranged from 13.6 to 20.6. All were outside the recommended range.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Small case numbers, UK population only.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Costs of referral treatment have largely risen in line with inflation, and now frequently exceed maximum insurance cover. Insurance premiums have increased above inflation, and insurance documents remain complex and hard to read.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144872060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lateromedial and oblique radiographs detect most fetlock pathologies as effectively as a full series in horses.","authors":"A Northwood, D Berner","doi":"10.1111/evj.70073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Radiographic protocols for the metacarpo-/tarsophalangeal joint during pre-purchase examinations (PPE) vary internationally, but their impact on pathology detection remains unclear. Optimising imaging protocols is essential to balance diagnostic accuracy with workflow efficiency and radiation exposure.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the effect of different radiographic view combinations on fetlock pathology detection and observer agreement in a PPE context; hypothesising that detection rates vary with view selection.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Retrospective observational study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two observers reviewed fetlock radiographic series using four view combinations: lateromedial (LM) alone, LM and dorsopalmar/plantar (LM/DP), LM and oblique projections (LM/OB), and the full series (FULL). McNemar's chi-squared test assessed detection differences; Cohen's kappa evaluated intra- and inter-observer agreement, and diagnostic parameters were calculated for reduced views relative to the full series.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 673 fetlock series were reviewed. The LM/OB combination showed no significant difference in detecting most pathologies compared to the full series. Observer agreement was generally highest with the full series. Intra-observer agreement was highest for LM/OB, except for subchondral bone changes in the proximal phalanx, where LM/DP performed better; though overall agreement was low. Lateromedial projections reliably detected fragmentation, sesamoid fractures, and osseous cyst-like lesions. Oblique views were superior for sesamoid bone changes.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Retrospective design, selection bias, and lack of gold standard confirmation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While LM/OB offers a practical compromise in many PPE scenarios, certain pathologies, particularly subchondral bone changes, may require additional views. A tailored approach based on age, discipline, and clinical risk may optimise diagnostic yield.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144844980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical insights: Musculoskeletal disorders of the sports horse","authors":"Rhiannon Morgan,&nbsp;Kyla Ortved,&nbsp;Hilary M. Clayton,&nbsp;Maarten Oosterlinck","doi":"10.1111/evj.14553","DOIUrl":"10.1111/evj.14553","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":"57 5","pages":"1152-1160"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/evj.14553","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144782309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Science-in-brief: Report on the 2nd Dorothy Russell Havemeyer Foundation workshop on acute colitis of the adult horse","authors":"Luis Guillermo Arroyo,&nbsp;Ashley E. Whitehead,&nbsp;Francisco Uzal,&nbsp;DRH International Equine Colitis Research Group","doi":"10.1111/evj.14554","DOIUrl":"10.1111/evj.14554","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":"57 6","pages":"1416-1422"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/evj.14554","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144788565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence of equine leptospirosis in Poland (2019-2023).","authors":"Jacek Żmudzki, Monika Ostrowska, Zbigniew Arent, Maciej Frant, Maciej Kochanowski, Agnieszka Nowak, Sylwia Zębek, Damian Kalinowski, Katarzyna Podgórska","doi":"10.1111/evj.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leptospirosis in horses is associated with various clinical signs, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. Additionally, the disease may pose a zoonotic risk to individuals involved in handling infected animals. Implementing a serological monitoring programme in the equine population is one of the key tools used to reduce the risk of transmission of Leptospira infections to humans.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To provide new insights into the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in domestic horses in Poland.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Serological monitoring program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected from serological surveys of horse serum samples across 14 of the 16 provinces between 2019 and 2023. A total of 4474 horse serum samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with 8 Leptospira serovars from 7 European serogroups. Statistical analyses and data visualisation were performed using Python-based libraries. Prevalence was calculated as absolute and relative percentages. Pairwise prevalence comparisons employed chi-squared tests with adjustments for multiple comparisons. Bayesian posterior probabilities were estimated to evaluate prevalence differences between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The 5-year study showed a relatively high exposure (25.1%) of horses to Leptospira antigens in Poland. Dominant Leptospira serogroups were: Sejroe (39.2%), Pomona (14.6%), Bratislava (11.2%), and Grippotyphosa (10.1%). Pomorskie recorded the highest percentage of positive samples (29.2%). Conversely, Lubuskie exhibited the lowest prevalence at 16.2%.</p><p><strong>Main limitations: </strong>Details on the uses of horses were not available.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This analysis provides valuable data on the circulation of Leptospira serogroups across different regions over time. The high seroprevalence of Leptospira in the Polish horse population underscores the necessity of ongoing monitoring, which will aid in the protection of individual horses, herds, and humans from potential infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":11796,"journal":{"name":"Equine Veterinary Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144783811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}