SUMMARY: Researchers will uncover insights into the carrier state and population dynamics of Streptococcus equi subsp equi, the causative agent of the serious airway infection known as strangles.
THE PROBLEM:Airway infections are one of the most common illnesses among young horses, so our understanding of how to prevent them must constantly improve. The horse industry faces a unique challenge in controlling and preventing infectious diseases due to horses frequently being moved for leisure and sporting activities, which may help spread these infections. Streptococcus equi subsp equi, (S. equi), is a germ that used to be harmless but has now become dangerous and can cause serious infections. When horses get infected with S. equi, they may have a high fever, a runny nose, and swollen glands in the head and neck. This is called strangles. After the initial infection, S. equi can stay inside their body for a long time without causing any more symptoms, but infected horses can still spread it to others. It's difficult to diagnose some cases of strangles because the signs the horses show can be unclear. Right now,it takes multiple tests, but even if one test says the horse is not infected, it doesn't guarantee that it's completely free of the bacteria. This is a big problem for the horse industry
THE PROJECT: This research project aims to uncover the genetic factors influencing the carrier state of S. equi. In this sleepy state, S. equi may slow its growth and show changes to their genomes. These alterations are thought to provide advantages in spreading the infection but possibly not tocausing symptoms. Loss of certain genes from S. equi has been detected in strains that can cause recurrent outbreaks. The team will take a close look at this carrier state as a way to help control the disease.
POTENTIAL IMPACT: Identification of these variations in S. equi and how this impacts current diagnostic tests is crucial for improving tests to detect it, and how to effectively control the spread of strangles in horses.
Projected End Date: 2/28/27
Study ID
D25EQ-308
Study Status
Active
Grant amount awarded
$113,730
Grant recipient
University of Nottingham
Study country
United Kingdom
Investigator
Adam Blanchard, BSc, PhD