Equine amnionitis and fetal loss: Mare abortion following experimental exposure to Processionary caterpillars <i>(Ochrogaster lunifer)</i>

Cawdell-Smith, A. J.; Todhunter, K. H.; Anderson, Stephen; Perkins, N. R.; Bryden, W. L.

doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00424.x

Cited by 32 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…One of the changes was oedema of the umbilical cord (Todhunter et al, 2009). These findings were replicated in the EAFL experiments (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Clinical Featuressupporting

confidence: 55%

“…(Donahue et al, 2002). Bacteria were mainly found in the lung, amnion, chorioallantois, umbilical cord and stomach contents of aborted fetuses (Todhunter et al, 2009 (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Microbiological Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Processionary caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer, PC) which has similar barbed setae to ETCs, was implicated as the cause of EAFL (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012). Experiments were undertaken that involved administration of whole PC and PC exoskeleton to pregnant mares and showed that this exposure can induce abortion (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Experimental Studies Of Mrls and Eaflmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These findings suggest that the setae may facilitate movement of normal enteric or environmental bacteria across the gut wall and into the uterus and placenta. Evidence strongly suggests that the mechanism is mechanical transfer of bacteria although the possibility that a toxin is involved has not been ruled out (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Experimental Studies Of Mrls and Eaflmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the EAFL experiments, the mares which were euthanized showed gastric ulceration, enteritis and colitis (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012). These pathological findings could be a response of these organs to mechanical irritation or an allergic response to the caterpillar setae (Hossler, 2010).…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The guinea pig as a model for Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL)

Liu¹,

Todhunter²,

Boe-Hansen³

et al.

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The use of pregnant mares to investigate the pathophysiology of EAFL is expensive both in the acquisition and maintenance of the mares and progress is slow due to their length of gestation.Therefore, an animal model with a short gestation is required for cost efficiency and to increase the rate of research. In the studies described here the guinea pig (GP) is investigated as a potential animal model as its gastrointestinal tract is anatomically and physiologically similar to that of the horse. The disadvantage of the GP is that it has a different type of placentation to the horse. The objectives of the present studies are to confirm that the GP is a suitable model for EAFL and to investigate the microbiological and histopathological outcomes of pregnancies over time following exposure to PC.In the initial experiment, the objective was to determine if the oral administration of PC causes abortion in the guinea pig. Fifteen pregnant guinea pigs were allocated into a treatment group (n=9) and a control group (n=6). The treatment group received a capsule containing 0.2g/kg (n=6) daily for 3d from day 35 of gestation (GD35) or 1g/kg (n=3) macerated whole processionary caterpillar daily for 3d from GD26. The matching control guinea pigs were administered capsules containing commercial guinea pig pellets daily for 3d. All guinea pigs were monitored daily until 3d prior to term when they were moved into a separate pen for delivery. After delivery, the number of offspring and any gross abnormalities were recorded. One GP aborted. All other GPs delivered healthy offspring at term. The guinea pig that aborted had received the higher dose of PC (1g/kg) ii and was treated for 3d from GD26. No fetal tissues were retrieved. The mother was euthanased and samples for microbiological examination were taken from the peritoneal cavity, uterus and heart blood. Bacteria were isolated from the uterus and were similar enteric and environmental organisms to those isolated from the EAFL experiments. Histopathology was performed on lung, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract and uterus. The results showed that PC setae and setal fragments were found throughout all tissues.Based on the findings of the first experiment, the objective of the second experiment was to confirm that abortion could be induced by administering PC to guinea pigs at GD25. Eight guinea pigs were used in the treatment group and four in the control group. The treatment group received PC exoskeleton and integument on 5 consecutive days from GD25. The control group did not receive any PC components. Pregnancies were monitored daily by trans-abdominal ultrasound. If fetal death was observed by ultrasound (n=2; GD31, 55) the guinea pigs were anaesthetised and sampled.If fetal death was not detected the guinea pig was anaesthetized and sampled at a set time point from the first day of treatment (n=6, GD26, 29, 40, 45, 50, 60). The control guinea pigs were also sampled (n=4, GD29, 40, 50, 60). Samples collected for microbiological examination were taken from the peritoneal ca...

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“…One of the changes was oedema of the umbilical cord (Todhunter et al, 2009). These findings were replicated in the EAFL experiments (Cawdell-Smith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Clinical Featuressupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Microbiological Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Studies Of Mrls and Eaflmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Studies Of Mrls and Eaflmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The guinea pig as a model for Equine Amnionitis and Fetal Loss (EAFL)

Liu¹,

Todhunter²,

Boe-Hansen³

et al.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Proteome of urticating setae of Ochrogaster lunifer, a processionary caterpillar of medical and veterinary importance, including primary structures of putative toxins

Walker,

Perkins,

Battisti

et al. 2023

Proteomics

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Ochrogaster lunifer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is an Australian processionary caterpillar with detachable urticating setae that have a defensive function. These true setae induce inflammation when they contact human skin, and equine foetal loss syndrome if they are accidentally ingested by gravid horses. We used transcriptomics and proteomics to identify proteins and peptides present in and on urticating setae, which may include toxins that contribute to inflammation and/or foetal loss syndromes. This process identified 37 putative toxins, including multiple homologues of the honeybee venom peptide secapin, and proteins with similarity to odorant binding proteins, arylphorins, and the insect immune modulator Diedel. This work identifies candidate molecules that may contribute to the adverse effects of processionary caterpillar setae on human and animal health.

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