背景:尚未研究反复鼻咽灌洗(NPL)检测马链球菌沉默携带者的价值。
目的:确定通过NPL对马氏链球菌的连续测试结果是否可以预测随后通过NPL和喉袋灌洗确定的真实携带者状态。
方法:前瞻性地追踪了41匹成熟冰岛马中发病率为100%的strangles的爆发,以调查沉默携带者的发展。所有这些最初在NPL上都对S.equi呈阳性。在整个研究过程中,农场不允许马运动。
方法:前瞻性观察性研究。在第18、28、29和30周,通过NPL进行马氏链球菌的检测,随后在第45周通过NPL和喉袋灌洗进行。将第45周时的携带者状态与第18、28、29和30周获得的结果进行比较。计算描述性统计数据。使用Fisher精确检验或Freeman-Halton扩展进行比较,P<0.05显著性水平。
结果:在第45周的24名非携带者中,在第28至30周的所有3个连续每周NPL样本中,只有4匹马呈阴性。然而,从第18、28、29和30周获得的具有至少3个阴性NPL的11匹马中的10匹在第45周时无S.equi-free(P=.03)。
结论:在至少3个不同的情况下重复的NPL可以帮助预测马从勒伤爆发中恢复后的无S.equi携带者状态。
BACKGROUND: The value of repeated nasopharyngeal lavage (NPL) to detect silent carriers of Streptococcus equi has not been investigated.
OBJECTIVE: Determine if results of serial testing for S. equi by NPL predicts subsequent true carrier status as determined by both NPL and guttural pouch lavage.
METHODS: An outbreak of strangles with 100% morbidity in 41 mature Icelandic horses was followed prospectively to investigate development of silent carriers. All were initially positive to S. equi on NPL. The farm was closed to horse movement during the entire study.
METHODS: Prospective observational study. Testing for S. equi was performed by NPL at weeks 18, 28, 29, and 30 postindex case and subsequently at week 45 by both NPL and guttural pouch lavage. Carrier status at week 45 was compared to results obtained at weeks 18, 28, 29, and 30. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Comparisons were made using Fisher\'s exact test or the Freeman-Halton extension with a P < .05 level of significance.
RESULTS: Of 24 noncarriers at week 45, only 4 horses were negative on all 3 consecutive weekly NPL samples at weeks 28 to 30. However, 10 of the 11 horses with at least 3 negative NPL obtained from weeks 18, 28, 29, and 30 were S. equi-free at week 45 (P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS: Repeated NPL on at least 3 separate occasions can assist in predicting S. equi carrier-free status in horses after recovery from a strangles outbreak.