| Type A botulism in horses in the United States: a review of the past ten years (1998-2008). | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20224073 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The objective of the current retrospective study was to describe naturally occurring type A botulism in horses in the United States. In the past 10 years, the Botulism Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine has identified 3 isolated cases and 8 outbreaks of type A botulism in horses via samples positive for Clostridium botulinum type A toxin or spores using the mouse bioassay test. Additional information was obtained by review of submission forms and by telephone or email interviews. Almost all type A cases and outbreaks occurred in the western United States, with Oregon and Idaho overrepresented. Type A toxin was identified in only 1 outbreak; all other identified cases and outbreaks were positive for spores but not preformed toxin. Reported clinical signs included progressive muscle weakness, recumbency, decreased tail and/or tongue tone, dysphagia, respiratory distress, and death. Isolated cases involved foals < or =1 month of age; outbreaks involved horses > or =11 months. One hundred and nineteen horses were potentially exposed to the toxin source; 54 out of 119 showed signs of botulism, and 49 out of 54 affected horses were confirmed dead. The number of horses affected per outbreak ranged from 2 to 24. The source of infection was confirmed to be hay or silage in 6 out of 8 outbreaks and was unknown in 2 out of 8 outbreaks. The present report is the first description of outbreaks of type A botulism in horses and has important implications for prevention and treatment. Based on these findings, type A botulism should be considered in suspect cases of equine botulism in the western United States. |
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Authors:
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Amy L Johnson; Susan C McAdams; Robert H Whitlock |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc Volume: 22 ISSN: 1040-6387 ISO Abbreviation: J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. Publication Date: 2010 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-03-12 Completed Date: 2010-04-30 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9011490 Medline TA: J Vet Diagn Invest Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 165-73 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Section of Medicine, New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. amyjohn@vet.upenn.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Botulism / epidemiology, veterinary* Disease Outbreaks / veterinary Horse Diseases / epidemiology* Horses Retrospective Studies Time Factors United States / epidemiology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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