OBJECTIVE: To determine seroprevalence of antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in neurologically normal horses residing in 4 regions of Oregon and to describe the effects of age, gender, breed, and housing on seroprevalence within each region. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum samples from 334 horses systematically selected by practicing veterinarians. PROCEDURE: Antibodies to S neurona were measured in sera, using a western blot. Information including age, gender, breed, housing, geographic location, and duration of residence was obtained for each horse. Data were analyzed, using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 45% (149/334) of horses evaluated were seropositive for antibodies to S neurona with significant differences in the percentage of seropositive horses from different regions of the state. Seroprevalances of antibodies to S neurona in horses in regions I and II, west of the Cascade Range, were 65 and 60%, respectively; whereas seroprevalances in central and eastern Oregon, regions III and IV, were 43 and 22%, respectively. Seroprevalence consistently increased with age of horse for each region. Gender, breed, and housing were not associated with significant differences in seroprevalence of antibodies to S neurona in the overall sample population, or in comparisons of samples obtained from horses within a particular region, or among samples obtained from horses residing in different regions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The high seroprevalence of antibodies to S neurona in neurologically normal horses indicates that analysis of serum alone would not be useful for definitive diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses in Oregon.
OBJECTIVE: To determine seroprevalence of antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in neurologically normal horses residing in 4 regions of Oregon and to describe the effects of age, gender, breed, and housing on seroprevalence within each region. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum samples from 334 horses systematically selected by practicing veterinarians. PROCEDURE: Antibodies to S neurona were measured in sera, using a western blot. Information including age, gender, breed, housing, geographic location, and duration of residence was obtained for each horse. Data were analyzed, using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 45% (149/334) of horses evaluated were seropositive for antibodies to S neurona with significant differences in the percentage of seropositive horses from different regions of the state. Seroprevalances of antibodies to S neurona in horses in regions I and II, west of the Cascade Range, were 65 and 60%, respectively; whereas seroprevalances in central and eastern Oregon, regions III and IV, were 43 and 22%, respectively. Seroprevalence consistently increased with age of horse for each region. Gender, breed, and housing were not associated with significant differences in seroprevalence of antibodies to S neurona in the overall sample population, or in comparisons of samples obtained from horses within a particular region, or among samples obtained from horses residing in different regions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The high seroprevalence of antibodies to S neurona in neurologically normal horses indicates that analysis of serum alone would not be useful for definitive diagnosis of equineprotozoal myeloencephalitis in horses in Oregon.
Authors: Jessica S Hoane; Jennifer K Morrow; William J Saville; J P Dubey; David E Granstrom; Daniel K Howe Journal: Clin Diagn Lab Immunol Date: 2005-09
Authors: Chinedu J Njoku; William J A Saville; Stephen M Reed; Michael J Oglesbee; Päivi J Rajala-Schultz; Roger W Stich Journal: Clin Diagn Lab Immunol Date: 2002-05
Authors: Jennifer A Spencer; Patricia Deinnocentes; Edith M Moyana; Anthony J Guarino; Siobhan E Ellison; R Curtis Bird; Byron L Blagburn Journal: Clin Diagn Lab Immunol Date: 2005-05
Authors: S M Reed; M Furr; D K Howe; A L Johnson; R J MacKay; J K Morrow; N Pusterla; S Witonsky Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2016-02-09 Impact factor: 3.333