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Abstract. Studies were carried out to determine the cause of death in a prematurely born Thoroughbred foal that died 24 hours after birth. Necropsy revealed gross lesions suggestive of septicemia. A commercial Leptospira polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay designed to specifically amplify the hemolysis-associated protein 1 (hap1) gene present only in pathogenic Leptospira strains detected the presence of Leptospira DNA in various tissues of the foal. Histologic examination of lung, liver, kidney, and myocardium revealed numerous spirochetes in Warthin-Starry-stained tissue sections. Results of PCR analysis and histologic examination suggested a leptospiral infection in the newborn foal. At the moment of death, the infection coexisted with a streptococcal-associated aspiration bronchopneumonia and postpartum septicemia. These findings indicate that the PCR assay based on the amplification of the hap1 gene represents a useful tool for specific detection of pathogenic leptospira in field samples taken from horses.

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Horses are infected by a wide range of parasite species that form complex communities.Parasite control imposes significant constraints on parasite communities whose monitoring 2 1 remains however difficult to track through time. Postmortem examination is a reliable method to quantify parasite communities. Here, we compiled 1,673 necropsy reports accumulated 2 3 over 29 years, in the reference necropsy centre from Normandy (France). The burden of non-strongylid species was quantified and the presence of strongylid species was noted. 5Details of horse deworming history and the cause of death were registered. Building on these data, we investigated the temporal trend in non-strongylids epidemiology and we 2 7determined the contribution of parasites to the death of horses throughout the study period.Data analyses revealed the seasonal variations of non-strongylid parasite abundance and reduced worm burden in race horses. Beyond these observations, we found a shift in the species responsible for fatal parasitic infection from the year 2000 onward, whereby fatal 3 1 cyathostominosis and Parascaris spp. infection have replaced death cases caused by S. vulgaris and tapeworms. Concomitant break in the temporal trend of parasite species 3 3 prevalence was also found within a 10-year window (1998-2007) that has seen the rise of Parascaris spp. and the decline of both Gasterophilus spp. and tapeworms. A few cases of 3 5parasite persistence following deworming were identified that all occurred after 2000.Altogether, these findings provide insights into major shifts in non-strongylid parasite 3 7prevalence and abundance over the last 29 years. They also underscore the critical importance of Parascaris spp. in young equids.

Development of resistance of several important equine parasites to most of the available anthelmintic drug classes has led to a reconsideration of parasite control strategies in many equine establishments. Routine prophylactic treatments based on simple calendar-based schemes are no longer reliable and veterinary equine clinicians are increasingly seeking advice and guidance on more sustainable approaches to equine parasite control. Most techniques for the detection of equine helminth parasites are based on faecal analysis and very few tests have been developed as diagnostic tests for resistance. Recently, some molecular and in vitro based diagnostic assays have been developed and have shown promise, but none of these are currently available for veterinary practice. Presently, the only reliable method for the detection of anthelmintic resistance is a simple faecal egg count reduction test, and clinicians are urged to perform such tests on a regular basis. The key to managing anthelmintic resistance is maintaining parasite refugia and this concept is discussed in relation to treatment strategies, drug rotations and pasture management. It is concluded that treatment strategies need to change and more reliance should now be placed on surveillance of parasite burdens and regular drug efficacy tests are also recommended to ensure continuing drug efficacy. The present review is based upon discussions held at an equine parasite workshop arranged by the French Equine Veterinary Association (Association Vétérinaire Equine Française, AVEF) in Reims, France, in October 2008.