Seroprevalence of strangles in horses and donkeys in Mosul city, Iraq

Abstract

Strangles is considered an important equine contagious bacterial caused by Streptococcus equi. This study planned to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-S. equi antibodies in horses located in Mosul city, Iraq for the first time. The sera were collected from 184 animals (156 horses and 28 donkeys), and then they were screened by using indirect ELISA (iELISA) to effectively check the seroconverted animals. The results of this study showed that the total prevalence rate of strangles in horses was 12%, (0.0% in donkeys) and the seroprevalence rate in animals less than 3 years old was 20%, while in animals of ages 3 years and more, it was 7% (P< 0.05). The seroprevalence rate in racing and horses with respiratory signs was significantly higher than ones with Draught and apparently normal conditions (P< 0.05). Any significant relationship was not found between seropositive animals and sex, and among racing horses (P< 0.05). To close, the presence of anti-S. equi antibodies in the examined horses might require more attention to reduce the incidence of the disease in horse breeding centers found in the study zone.