Study of Seroprevalence and Seroconversion to A Novel Bacterial Pathogen in Thoroughbred Horses

Authors: Rajasekariah G-Halli*, Hudson BJ, Chicken C, Blishen A, Perriam W4 and Corones G

Volume 3, Issue 1

Abstract

Infection caused by Kingella kingae is an emerging infection in young children manifest primarily as bacteremia and osteoarticular infection (OAI). Asymptomatic infection is common, based on throat swab and serology studies in pediatric populations. A novel bacterial species was identified by MALDI-TOF as Kingella kingae, in synovial and bone tissues surgically debrided from thoroughbred horses, aged between 3 and 15 months, with OAI. Molecular studies (16s rRNA) indicated the organism was not Kingella kingae, but is likely a novel species. Subsequently we investigated serological responses to Kingella kingae and the novel equine species. We tested serum samples from three separate herds by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (LED-IFAT) using a pathogenic human isolate of Kingella kingae and the novel equine species as substrates. Equines in Farm A showed no evidence of antibodies to Kingella and therefore served as the control herd. Seropositivity was detected in equines in Farm B (5/10 tested) and Farm C (1/9 tested). In Farm B, 1/5 seropositives demonstrated seroconversion on paired sera. Based on this preliminary study, it is possible to detect by LED-IFAT antibodies to a previously unidentified equine pathogen, and this assay may be of value in screening herds to determine seroprevalence and seroconversion rates for this novel pathogen.

Keywords: Kingella; Thoroughbred Horses; Immunological Testing; Seropositives; Sero-Conversion; LED-IFAT Test

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