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Nicola Pusterla - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Daily feeding of diclazuril top dress pellets in Foals reduces seroconversion to Sarcocystis neurona.
Veterinary journal (London England : 1997), 2015Co-Authors: Nicola Pusterla, Andrea E. Packham, Sarah Mackie, Philip H. Kass, Laszlo HunyadiAbstract:Thirty-three Foals from a farm with a high exposure rate to Sarcocystis neurona were assigned to either an untreated or a diclazuril-treated group. Treated Foals received daily 0.5 mg/kg of diclazuril pellets from 1 to 12 months of age. Monthly blood was tested for IgG against S. neurona using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Following ingestion of colostral antibodies to S. neurona, there was a steady and continuous decline in seroprevalence to S. neurona until Foals from both groups reached weaning age. Thereafter, the untreated Foal group showed a significant increase in monthly seroprevalence compared to the diclazuril-treated Foal group. The difference in temporal seroprevalence could be explained by the successful reduction of S. neurona infection in Foals receiving a daily low-dose diclazuril.
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efficacy of an avirulent live vaccine against lawsonia intracellularis in the prevention of proliferative enteropathy in experimentally infected weanling Foals
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2012Co-Authors: Nicola Pusterla, Samantha Mapes, J. Collier, M. Difrancesco, Fabio A Vannucci, Nora Nogradi, Jackie A Hill, A White, Nina K Akana, Greg SimonekAbstract:Objective—To determine the efficacy of an avirulent Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in preventing proliferative enteropathy in weanling Foals. Animals—12 healthy weanling Foals. Procedures—Foals were randomly assigned to a vaccinated, nonvaccinated, or control group. Vaccinated Foals received an avirulent porcine L intracellularis frozen-thawed vaccine intrarectally 60 and 30 days prior to experimental challenge. On day 1, vaccinated and nonvaccinated Foals were challenged via nasogastric intubation with a virulent heterologous isolate of L intracellularis. Control Foals were not challenged. Clinical observation and ultrasonographic evaluation of the small intestine were performed, and body weight, serum concentration of total solids, fecal excretion of L intracellularis, and seroconversion were measured for each Foal until day 56. Diseased Foals were treated with antimicrobials and supportive care. Results—None of the 4 vaccinated Foals developed clinical disease following challenge with virulent L intr...
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endogenous transplacental transmission of neospora hughesi in naturally infected horses
Journal of Parasitology, 2011Co-Authors: Nicola Pusterla, Andrea E. Packham, Ian A Gardner, Carrie J. Finno, Gregory L Ferraro, Samantha Mapes, William D WilsonAbstract:Abstract Over a 2-yr study period, we investigated possible endogenous transplacental transmission of Neospora hughesi in 74 mare and Foal pairs following the diagnosis of neuronal neosporosis in a weanling Foal. Presuckle and postsuckle serum of each Foal, serum and colostrum of each periparturient mare, and serum of each mare and Foal pair, collected at 3-mo intervals thereafter, were tested for N. hughesi using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Furthermore, whole blood and colostrum samples and placentae were tested for the presence of N. hughesi by real-time PCR. The mares' seroprevalence at Foaling based on IFAT (titer ≥ 160) was 52 and 6% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Colostral antibodies against N. hughesi were detected in 96 and 11% of the mares in the 2-yr study. With the exception of 3 Foals, all remaining Foals were born seronegative to N. hughesi. Passive transfer of colostral antibodies to N. hughesi was documented in 15 Foals. Three Foals born from 2 different mares had presuck...
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Oral infection of weanling Foals with an equine isolate of Lawsonia intracellularis, agent of equine proliferative enteropathy.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2010Co-Authors: Nicola Pusterla, Samantha Mapes, Suphot Wattanaphansak, J. Collier, J. Hill, M. Difrancesco, Connie J GebhartAbstract:Background: Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging disease of weanling Foals. Objectives: Describe clinical, hematologic, biochemical, serologic, molecular, and ultrasonographic findings in Foals experimentally infected with Lawsonia intracellularis. Animals: Eight Foals. Methods: Recently weaned Foals were assigned to either the challenge (n = 3), the sentinel (n = 3), or the control (n = 2) group. Foals were experimentally challenged via intragastric inoculation of 3 × 1010L. intracellularis organisms grown in culture. Each experimentally infected Foal was housed with a sentinel Foal in order to assess feco-oral transmission. All Foals were monitored daily for the development of clinical abnormalities and were weighed once weekly for the duration of the study (90 days). Abdominal ultrasound examination was performed weekly. Feces were collected every other day for 60 days, then weekly for an additional 30 days for the quantitative molecular detection of L. intracellularis. Blood was collected weekly for hematologic, biochemical, and serologic analysis. Results: Only challenged Foals developed transient clinical signs of EPE consisting of anorexia, lethargy, fever, loose feces, and peripheral edema. Two challenged Foals developed transient hypoalbuminemia. Fecal shedding of L. intracellularis was first detected in the challenged Foals between days 12 and 18 postinoculation and lasted for 7–21 days. Seroconversion was documented in all challenged Foals and in 1 sentinel Foal. The remaining sentinel and control Foals remained unaffected. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Clinical EPE of variable severity was induced in all Foals infected with L. intracellularis. Furthermore, L. intracellularis can be transmitted via the feco-oral route to susceptible herdmates.
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Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a Foal.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 2007Co-Authors: D. J. Feary, Connie J Gebhart, Nicola PusterlaAbstract:A weanling Foal was diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis based on history, clinical findings of depression, anorexia, weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and ventral edema, and a combination of serology and fecal PCR. An epidemiological investigation on the premises revealed that many of the other Foals and adult horses were seropositive for L. intracellularis, despite being clinically normal, and identified a dog as a potential carrier and source of infection for the Foal. The Foal was successfully treated with a combination of azithromycin and rifampin.
Sue M Mcdonnell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Development of the equine hindgut microbiome in semi-feral and domestic conventionally-managed Foals
Animal Microbiome, 2020Co-Authors: Meredith K. Tavenner, Sue M Mcdonnell, Amy S. BiddleAbstract:Background Early development of the gut microbiome is an essential part of neonate health in animals. It is unclear whether the acquisition of gut microbes is different between domesticated animals and their wild counterparts. In this study, fecal samples from ten domestic conventionally managed (DCM) Standardbred and ten semi-feral managed (SFM) Shetland-type pony Foals and dams were compared using 16S rRNA sequencing to identify differences in the development of the Foal hindgut microbiome related to time and management. Results Gut microbiome diversity of dams was lower than Foals overall and within groups, and Foals from both groups at Week 1 had less diverse gut microbiomes than subsequent weeks. The core microbiomes of SFM dams and Foals had more taxa overall, and greater numbers of taxa within species groups when compared to DCM dams and Foals. The gut microbiomes of SFM Foals demonstrated enhanced diversity of key groups: Verrucomicrobia (RFP12), Ruminococcaceae, Fusobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp., based on age and management. Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus spp. and other Lactobacillaceae genera were enriched only in DCM Foals, specifically during their second and third week of life. Predicted microbiome functions estimated computationally suggested that SFM Foals had higher mean sequence counts for taxa contributing to the digestion of lipids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and protein. DCM Foal microbiomes were more similar to their dams in week five and six than were SFM Foals at the same age. Conclusions This study demonstrates the impact of management on the development of the Foal gut microbiome in the first 6 weeks of life. The higher numbers of taxa within and between bacterial groups found in SFM dams and Foals suggests more diversity and functional redundancy in their gut microbiomes, which could lend greater stability and resiliency to these communities. The colonization of lactic acid bacteria in the early life of DCM Foals suggests enrichment in response to the availability of dams’ feed. Thus, management type is an important driver of gut microbiome establishment on horses, and we may look to semi-feral horses for guidance in defining a healthy gut microbiome for domestic horses.
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harem stallion changes are not associated with diminished reproductive performance of females in semi feral konik polski horses equus caballus
Theriogenology, 2020Co-Authors: Joanna Jaworska, Sue M Mcdonnell, Zbigniew Jaworski, Aleksandra GoreckabruzdaAbstract:Abstract Infanticide, related to a stallion’s aggression toward a Foal sired by another stallion, and feticide related to a new stallion’s aggression and/or pheromonal influence (the Bruce effect) inducing loss of a fetus sired by another stallion, a female’s counteraction to infanticide, have been proposed for domestic horses (Equus caballus) in human-managed conditions. The aim of the present study was, in conditions close to natural, to investigate the influence of the natural succession of a harem stallion on the mares’ subsequent reproductive performance. In a population of semi-feral Konik polski horses observed for 31 years (reproductive seasons) in 8 bands, harem stallion changed 10 times. These changes involved 26 out of 48 mares and 60 out of 609 observed mare-seasons (MS, a year in which a mare experienced a reproductive event). Binary distribution and log link function were assumed. The marginal model included the classification variable (SCH) and the continuous variables (age of the mare and calendar year of reproductive event (birth of a live Foal, abortion, Foals lost or barrenness) in a given MS was analyzed with generalized linear mixed model. The reproductive fitness of mares and their reproductive success (Foal surviving ≥ 1 year), did not differ between MS with and without SCH. Older females were more likely to stay barren, with chances increasing by 21% with each successive year; and less likely to give birth to a Foal (13% decrease of chance), and rear a Foal to one year of age (12% decrease of chance). The age did not affect the probability of abortions. Of the 26 MS when mares were pregnant when the stallion had changed, there were 25 healthy Foals born. For the entire 31 years of monitoring, no aggression toward any Foal was observed and all Foals that were born in the harem of a new, succeeding stallion successfully reached adulthood. Due to the lack of incidents of infanticide and the lack of evidence suggesting that the presence of a new harem stallion leads to the termination of pregnancies sired by another stallion, the Bruce effect was not confirmed as a biological strategy to reduce investment in pregnancy and potential infanticide in studied population of semi-feral horses.
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passive transfer of naturally acquired specific immunity against west nile virus to Foals in a semi feral pony herd
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2006Co-Authors: Pamela A Wilkins, Amy L Glaser, Sue M McdonnellAbstract:Horses naturally exposed to West Nile Virus (WNV) or vaccinated against WNV develop humoral immunity thought to be protective against development of clinical disease in exposed or infected animals. No reports evaluate the efficacy of passive transfer of naturally acquired specific WNV humoral immunity from dam to Foal. The purpose of this study was to investigate passive transfer of naturally acquired immunity to WNV to Foals born in a herd of semi-feral ponies, not vaccinated against WNV, in an endemic area, with many dams having seroconverted because of natural exposure. Microwell serum neutralization titers against WNV were determined in all mares and Foals. Serum IgG concentration was determined in Foals by serial radial immunodiffusion. Differences in IgG concentration between seropositive and seronegative Foals were examined by means of the Mann-Whitney U-test. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between mare and Foal titers. Seventeen mare-Foal pairs were studied; 1 Foal had inadequate IgG concentration. IgG concentration was not different between seronegative and seropositive Foals (P = .24). Mare and Foal titers were significantly correlated in Foals with adequate passive transfer of immunity (Spearman's rho = .84; P 90% of the Foal's titer was explained by the mare's titer (R2 = 0.91; P < .001). Passive transfer of specific immunity to WNV is present in pony Foals with adequate passive transfer of immunity born to seroconverted mares.
Connie J Gebhart - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Oral infection of weanling Foals with an equine isolate of Lawsonia intracellularis, agent of equine proliferative enteropathy.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2010Co-Authors: Nicola Pusterla, Samantha Mapes, Suphot Wattanaphansak, J. Collier, J. Hill, M. Difrancesco, Connie J GebhartAbstract:Background: Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an emerging disease of weanling Foals. Objectives: Describe clinical, hematologic, biochemical, serologic, molecular, and ultrasonographic findings in Foals experimentally infected with Lawsonia intracellularis. Animals: Eight Foals. Methods: Recently weaned Foals were assigned to either the challenge (n = 3), the sentinel (n = 3), or the control (n = 2) group. Foals were experimentally challenged via intragastric inoculation of 3 × 1010L. intracellularis organisms grown in culture. Each experimentally infected Foal was housed with a sentinel Foal in order to assess feco-oral transmission. All Foals were monitored daily for the development of clinical abnormalities and were weighed once weekly for the duration of the study (90 days). Abdominal ultrasound examination was performed weekly. Feces were collected every other day for 60 days, then weekly for an additional 30 days for the quantitative molecular detection of L. intracellularis. Blood was collected weekly for hematologic, biochemical, and serologic analysis. Results: Only challenged Foals developed transient clinical signs of EPE consisting of anorexia, lethargy, fever, loose feces, and peripheral edema. Two challenged Foals developed transient hypoalbuminemia. Fecal shedding of L. intracellularis was first detected in the challenged Foals between days 12 and 18 postinoculation and lasted for 7–21 days. Seroconversion was documented in all challenged Foals and in 1 sentinel Foal. The remaining sentinel and control Foals remained unaffected. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Clinical EPE of variable severity was induced in all Foals infected with L. intracellularis. Furthermore, L. intracellularis can be transmitted via the feco-oral route to susceptible herdmates.
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Lawsonia intracellularis proliferative enteropathy in a Foal.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 2007Co-Authors: D. J. Feary, Connie J Gebhart, Nicola PusterlaAbstract:A weanling Foal was diagnosed with proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis based on history, clinical findings of depression, anorexia, weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and ventral edema, and a combination of serology and fecal PCR. An epidemiological investigation on the premises revealed that many of the other Foals and adult horses were seropositive for L. intracellularis, despite being clinically normal, and identified a dog as a potential carrier and source of infection for the Foal. The Foal was successfully treated with a combination of azithromycin and rifampin.
Katrin Hinrichs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Impact of equine assisted reproductive technologies (standard embryo transfer or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with in vitro culture and embryo transfer) on placenta and Foal morphometry and placental gene expression
Reproduction Fertility and Development, 2017Co-Authors: Orlando A. Valenzuela, Young-ho Choi, Anne Couturier-tarrade, Marie-christine Aubrière, Justin Ritthaler, Pascale Chavatte-palmer, Katrin HinrichsAbstract:Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro embryo culture and embryo transfer (ET) may be associated with alterations in fetal and placental development. In horses, ET has been used for decades. More recently, in vitro embryo production by ICSI and in vitro culture, followed by embryo transfer (ICSI-C) has become an accepted method for clinical Foal production. However, no information is available on the effects of ICSI-C or even of standard ET itself on placental and neonatal parameters in horses. We therefore evaluated placental and neonatal morphology and placental gene expression in reining- and cutting-type American Quarter Horse Foals produced using different technologies. Thirty Foals and placentas (naturally conceived (NC), ET and ICSI-C; 10 in each group) were examined morphometrically. The only parameter that differed significantly between groups was the length of the Foal upper hindlimb, which was longer in ET and ICSI-C than in NC Foals. Evaluation of placental mRNA expression for 17 genes related to growth and vascularisation showed no difference in gene expression between groups. These data indicate that within this population, use of ARTs was not associated with meaningful changes in Foal or placental morphometry or in expression of the placental genes evaluated
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production of cloned horse Foals using roscovitine treated donor cells and activation with sperm extract and or ionomycin
Reproduction, 2007Co-Authors: Katrin Hinrichs, Young-ho Choi, Dickson D. Varner, David L. HartmanAbstract:We evaluated the effect of different activation treatments on the production of blastocysts and Foals by nuclear transfer. Donor cells were prepared using roscovitine treatment, which has previously been associated with increased production of viable offspring. All activation treatments were followed by culture in 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) for 4 h. In experiment 1, blastocyst production after activation by injection of sperm extract followed by treatment with ionomycin was significantly higher than that for activation with a serial treatment of ionomycin, 6-DMAP, and ionomycin (12.5 vs 2.8%; P < 0.05) and tended to be higher than that for injection of sperm extract alone (3.4%; P = 0.07). In experiment 2, there were no significant differences in blastocyst development among treatments with ionomycin once or twice, sperm extract then ionomycin, or ionomycin then sperm extract (range 4.6-7.3%). Overall, transfer of 26 blastocysts resulted in 16 pregnancies (62%) and 9 live Foals (35% of transferred embryos). Treatment with sperm extract followed by ionomycin produced a live Foal rate per embryo transferred of 5/10 (50%). One Foal died of pneumonia 48 h post partum and one Foal died at 1 week of age after complications during induction of anesthesia; the remaining seven Foals are currently 10-14 months of age.
D N Love - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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epidemiological studies of equine herpesvirus 1 ehv 1 in thoroughbred Foals a review of studies conducted in the hunter valley of new south wales between 1995 and 1997
Veterinary Microbiology, 1999Co-Authors: J R Gilkerson, J M Whalley, Heidi E Drummer, M J Studdert, D N LoveAbstract:Sero-epidemiological studies conducted between 1995 and 1997 on two large Thoroughbred stud farms in the Hunter Valley of NSW showed clear evidence of EHV-1 infection in Foals as young as 30 days of age. Similarly, serological evidence suggested that these Foals were infected with EHV-1 from their dams or from other lactating mares in the group, with subsequent Foal to Foal spread of infection prior to weaning. These studies also provided evidence of EHV-1 infection of Foals at and subsequent to weaning, with Foal to Foal spread of EHV-1 amongst the weanlings. These data indicated that the mare and Foal population was a reservoir of EHV-1, from which new cases of infection propagated through the Foal population both before and after weaning. The results of these studies support the long standing management practices of separating pregnant mares from other groups of horses to reduce the incidence of EHV-1 abortion. Also, these results have important implications for currently recommended vaccination regimens, as the efficacy of vaccination in already latently infected horses is unknown.