The influence of hay steaming on clinical signs and airway immune response in severe asthmatic horses

ackground Avoidance of antigenic stimuli was found to significantly reverse airway obstruction of horses with severe equine asthma (sEA). To date, no published study investigated the influence of steaming hay on lower airway condition of sEA-affected horses. The objectives were to determine the clinical, cytological and cytokine respiratory responses of both sEA and control (CTL) horses experimentally exposed to steamed or dry hay. Results A cohort of 6 sEA horses and 6 CTL horses was involved in this field study. On day 0, both groups were fed with steamed hay for 5 consecutive days, followed by a wash-out period of 26 days prior to be fed with dry hay for 5 consecutive days. Investigations performed 2 days prior to and 5 days after each challenge included clinical score, tracheal mucus accumulation, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology and cytokine mRNA expression. Feeding steamed hay significantly decreased its mould content (P < 0.001). Mucus score significantly increased when feeding dry hay (P = 0.01). No significant influence of challenge type was found on clinical score. Percentages of neutrophils (P < 0.001) as well as mRNA expression of IL-1β (P = 0.024), IL-6R (P = 0.021), IL-18 (P = 0.009) and IL-23 (P = 0.036) in BALF of sEA affected horses were significantly increased after both (steamed and dry hay) challenges. Relative mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6R and IL-23 in BALF were also significantly correlated to neutrophil percentages and both clinical and tracheal mucus score. Conclusions Steaming significantly decreased mould content but inconsistently influenced the respiratory response of sEA affected horses when fed hay. Based on BALF cytology and cytokine profiles, its relevance might be controversial as a non-medicinal therapy for sEA-affected horses

Valencia epizootie

International audienc

EHV-1 neurological form. Example of the outbreak in Valencia in 2021

Replay:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k8Trhb1tHY&feature=youtu.b

EHV-1 EHM outbreak in Valencia,Spain

International audienc

Outbreak in Valencia, round table on EHV-1

International audienc

Presentation of the R.E.S.P.E.

International audienceBackground:Equine health is important in regard to equine welfare, trade, economy, society as well as public health. Created in 1999, the RESPE is the first network of surveillance of equine diseases developed in Europe. Since 2008, it brings together veterinarians and the equine industry to monitor the epidemiological situation and evolution of equine diseases in France.Objectives of RESPE:The RESPE has four main objectives:1) Ensure appropriate vigilance of equine health by identifying key diseases;2) Early detection of known and emerging equine diseases in France, for early warning of all the stakeholders of the equine industry3) Share reliable information for disease management and prevention;4) Minimize the consequences of equine disease outbreaksCategories of focused diseasesThe RESPE focusses on different groups of diseases:• Contagious and transmissible diseases for which early detection is crucial to implement immediate and collective management measures• Transmissible but not contagious diseases and metabolic diseases for which exposition factors are environmental and early detection is crucial for (1) treatment implementation at the individual level, (2) prevention, by increasing stakeholders' awareness of the presence of favourable environmental conditions• Non contagious diseases for which there is a lack of knowledge: centralising cases helps the development of research activitiesThe key role of the Sentinel VeterinarianCurrently there are more than 900 veterinarians participating in the sentinel veterinarian ‘relay’ network. This ensures rapid and accurate dissemination of critical information. One of the key roles of each veterinarian is to monitor diseases and to inform the RESPE office of any suspected cases. In the case of a suspected disease the sentinel veterinarian conducts appropriate testing previously defined by the RESPE. Samples are then submitted to a partner diagnostic laboratory using the standardized declaration form available on the RESPE reporting platform.If lab results are ‘positive’ for a monitored disease the RESPE office is notified as soon as possible (phone/email). Subsequent to this, anonymous alerts are sent to appropriate contacts to ensure control and prevention measures.When an epizootic disease agent is identified, RESPE ensures that there is a good transmission of key information to the industry and the Veterinary Authorities.The RESPE surveillanceThe RESPE conducts passive surveillance activities:1. Syndromic surveillance based on clinical suspicions from the network of voluntary veterinarians, called «Sentinel Veterinarians». Nine clinical syndromes are monitored, including acute respiratory syndrome, neurologic syndrome, abortion, atypical myopathy, undetermined fever previously called “piro-like” diseases, … in order to ensure appropriate disease control strategies during outbreaks.2. Targeted surveillance on specific diseases based on positive laboratory diagnostic test results from the supporting laboratory. These two complementary surveillance modalities enable to monitor almost 25 different diseases

Troubles respiratoires - Gestion de l'environnement et prévention de l'asthme équin

National audienc