title: Rapid diagnosis of strangles (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi) using PCR.
abstract: Strangles is one of the most common equine infectious diseases with serious health, welfare and socio-economic impact. However, the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi can be challenging and persistently infected carriers are common. Furthermore, the use of classical microbiology can result in an underestimation of the prevalence of the disease. The difficulties associated with the slow diagnosis of Strangles can result in rapid spread of the disease. Therefore, rapid and economical diagnostic tests are urgently required. Here, two multiplex assays, were developed and validated for the detection of S. equi and S. equi subspecies zooepidemicus, the most common differential diagnosis. Using 59 S. equi and 59 S. zooepidemicus strains collected from various geographical areas, the PCR tests demonstrated a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 98%. Furthermore, the assay can be performed directly from clinical swabs. Thus, the assays designed here provide a rapid, reliable and economical solution for the diagnosis of Strangles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK. Electronic address: g.cordoni@surrey.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cordoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: The Liphook Equine Hospital, Forest Mere, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7JG, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato Giulio
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Zanoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Roberto M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: La Ragione
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D018502:Streptococcus equi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Classic and Real Time (RT) direct multiplex PCR; Equine/horses; Strangles diagnosis; Streptococcus equi subsp. equi; Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus