Study of prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in horses of Golestan province of Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESRhodococcus equi is a Gram positive bacterial pathogen and one of the most common cause of severe pneumonia in foals less than ۶ months of age. The pathogen is ubiquitous in the environment, lives in soil and is present in most areas where horses are kept. this bacterium can cause disease in human beings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of the genome of VapA of Rhodococcus equi in horses of some cities of Golestan province of Iran using PCR method.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn the present study, ۱۵۰ horses of Golestan province were randomly selected and nasal swab samples and epidemiological informations including age, gender and history of disease with a questionnaire were taken. The DNA of the samples was extracted and Rhodococcus equi was identified by PCR method and the effect of age, gender and history of disease of horses on the level of contamination was investigated using the Pearson’s Chi-square test.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONIn the present study, out of a total of ۱۵۰ examined horses, infection with Rhodococcus equi was found in ۴۳ cases (۲۸.۷%) of the horses. In this study, the rate of prevalence in horses under ۶ months of age was higher than others and the Pearson’s Chi-square test showed that it is statistically significant. Mares had a higher prevalence rate than stallions and no significant relationship was observed in the Pearson’s Chi-square test. The prevalence rate was higher in horses that had a history of disease and the Pearson’s Chi-square test showed that it is statistically significant.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the prevalence of this bacterium in Golestan province is significant and requires appropriate programs and acts to control and prevent these diseases.