Seroprevalence of Rhodococcus equi in horses in Israel

Authors

  • Sharon Tirosh-Levy The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Sevil E Gürbilek Harran University
  • Osman Y Tel Harran University
  • Oktay Keskin Harran University
  • Amir Steinman The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Abstract

Rhodococcus equi is a common cause of pneumonia in foals and has extensive clinical, economic and possibly zoonotic consequences. This bacterium survives well in the environment and may be considered as normal flora of adult horses. Certain strains of this bacterium are extremely virulent in foals, and early identification and intervention is crucial for prognosis.
Rhodococcus equi is endemic in many parts of the world and occasionally isolated in Israel. This study was designed to evaluate R. equi seroprevalence in adult horses in Israel to indirectly indicate the potential level of exposure of susceptible foals. Sera were collected from 144 horses during spring 2011 and from 293 horses during fall 2014, and the presence of antibodies against
virulent R. equi was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Equine seroprevalence of R. equi was found to be 7.6% in 2011 and 5.1% in 2014. Only one farm had seropositive horses in 2011, whereas several farms had seropositive horses in 2014. No significant risk factors for seropositivity were found. Rhodococcus equi appears to be endemic in Israel. This is the first survey of R. equi in Israel that provides information on the epidemiology of this important bacterium.

Author Biographies

  • Sharon Tirosh-Levy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

  • Sevil E Gürbilek, Harran University

    Department of Microbiology, Harran University, Eyyubiye Campus, Turkey

  • Osman Y Tel, Harran University

    Department of Microbiology, Harran University, Eyyubiye Campus, Turkey 

  • Oktay Keskin, Harran University

    Department of Microbiology, Harran University, Eyyubiye Campus, Turkey

  • Amir Steinman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research