Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers

Abstract

This cross-sectional study by Marcha Badenhorst and coworkers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland investigated the prevalence, geographical distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis and risk factors of equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) in Austrian equids.Sera from 259 healthy horses and 13 healthy donkeys were analysed for the presence of EqPV-H antibodies and EqPV-H DNA (PCR). Associations between infection status, sex, age and concurrent equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection were described. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT), bile acids and albumin concentrations were compared between horses with active infection and PCR-negative horses. Phylogenetic analysis of the EqPV-H variants was performed.In horses, EqPV-H seroprevalence was 30% and DNA prevalence was 8.9%. One horse was co-infected with equine hepacivirus. No evidence of EqPV-H was detected in donkeys. Horses over 16 years of age were eight times more likely to have active EqPV-H infection compared with horses 1-8 years of age, and were three times as likely to have active EqPV-H infection compared with horses 9-15 years of age. GLDH, GGT, bile acids and albumin concentrations were not significantly different between horses with active infection and those without. The EqPV-H variants identified in this Austrian population of horses showed high similarity to sequences worldwide. No evidence of EqPV-H was detected in donkeys.EqPV-H antibodies and DNA are frequently detected in Austrian horses, without associated hepatitis. The risk of active EqPV-H infection increases with age. Effect of diet on equine peripheral cariesThis retrospective review by Kirsten Jackson and co-workers in Australia investigated the effect of replacing oaten hay with a non-cereal hay on equine peripheral caries in 42 cases.Recent research suggests that diets with high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content are associated with high risk of peripheral caries. This study investigated whether the peripheral caries process can be halted if oaten hay is removed from the diet and replaced with a non-cereal hay which is typically lower in WSC. Forty-two horses with peripheral caries were switched from oaten hay to a non-cereal hay or straw. Photographs taken at the time and again at subsequent visits were anonymised, randomised, and scored by six equine veterinary dentists using the Jackson et al. 'Peripheral Caries Grading System' grading scale.At follow-up, 69% of cases were marked as inactive, compared with 47.6% of cases at baseline. Significantly lower grades of peripheral caries were observed in the gingival, middle and occlusive third of the molars at follow-up compared with baseline. Significant improvements were not observed in the premolars.Recommending that clients change their horse's diet from oaten hay to a lower WSC hay may be useful as part of longterm management of equine peripheral caries.