Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi var. equi) is the bacterium which causes the highly contagious disease strangles (also known as "distemper"). Strangles commonly affects young horses (weanlings and yearlings), but horses of any age can be infected. Following natural infection, a carrier state of variable duration may develop and intermittent shedding of the pathogen may occur. The organism is transmitted by direct contact with infected horses or sub-clinical shedders, or indirectly by contact with: water troughs, hoses, feed bunks, pastures, stalls, trailers, tack, grooming equipment, nose wipe cloths or sponges, attendants' hands and clothing, or insects contaminated with nasal discharge or pus draining from lymph nodes of infected horses. Streptococcus equi has demonstrated environmental survivability particularly in water sources and when protected from exposure to direct sunlight and disinfectants, and can be a source of infection for new additions to the herd.
Vaccination against S. equi equi is recommended on premises where strangles is a persistent endemic problem or for horses that are expected to be at high risk of exposure. S. equi equi and S. equi zooepidemicus are antigenically similar organisms. However, exposure to, or vaccination against, one does not confer reliable immunity to the other.
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a B-hemolytic, Lancefield group C streptococcal bacterium. S. zooepidemicus is considered an opportunistic commensal in horses, but it may also cause infections in other domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats. S. equi zooepidemicus is antigenically similar to S. equi equi and shares >98% DNA sequence homology with S. equi equi which causes strangles, a highly contagious and serious disease in horses.
Pathogens Tested
APS-043 :Streptococcus equi subspecies equi* (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus)
APB-044 :Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus* (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus)
APS-042 :Streptococcus equi subspecies equi - Animal Health Trust UK Licenced (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi)
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi var. equi) is the bacterium which causes the highly contagious disease strangles (also known as "distemper"). Strangles commonly affects young horses (weanlings and yearlings), but horses of any age can be infected. Following natural infection, a carrier state of variable duration may develop and intermittent shedding of the pathogen may occur. The organism is transmitted by direct contact with infected horses or sub-clinical shedders, or indirectly by contact with: water troughs, hoses, feed bunks, pastures, stalls, trailers, tack, grooming equipment, nose wipe cloths or sponges, attendants' hands and clothing, or insects contaminated with nasal discharge or pus draining from lymph nodes of infected horses. Streptococcus equi has demonstrated environmental survivability particularly in water sources and when protected from exposure to direct sunlight and disinfectants, and can be a source of infection for new additions to the herd.
Vaccination against S. equi equi is recommended on premises where strangles is a persistent endemic problem or for horses that are expected to be at high risk of exposure. S. equi equi and S. equi zooepidemicus are antigenically similar organisms. However, exposure to, or vaccination against, one does not confer reliable immunity to the other.
Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a B-hemolytic, Lancefield group C streptococcal bacterium. S. zooepidemicus is considered an opportunistic commensal in horses, but it may also cause infections in other domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats. S. equi zooepidemicus is antigenically similar to S. equi equi and shares >98% DNA sequence homology with S. equi equi which causes strangles, a highly contagious and serious disease in horses.
Pathogens Tested
APS-043 :Streptococcus equi subspecies equi* (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus)
APB-044 :Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus* (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus)
APS-042 :Streptococcus equi subspecies equi - Animal Health Trust UK Licenced (This assay includes the detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi)
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
