The relationship between the serological prevalence of strangles disease with the parameters of age, gender, breed, respiratory disease, and geographical region in Tabriz area

Strangles is a prevalent infectious and contagious disease among Equidae that is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. For this purpose, the present study was performed on 184 horses to investigate the frequency of carriers in the population of horses in Tabriz. Blood samples were taken to determine the presence of anti-SeM antibody of Streptococcus equi in the horse's serum in Tabriz. This study is conducted on 184 horses that were studied in terms of carrying S. equi and its frequency among the horse population kept in equestrian clubs in around of Tabriz. The serum samples were collected from different parts of equestrian clubs and were assayed using an iELISA test for anti-SeM antibody in Streptococcus equi. The relative frequency of carriers was 53.3% in stallions and 24.5% in mares (p < 0.001). The seroprevalence of carriers was 95% in horses with a record of respiratory disease, and 39.6% in horses without the history of respiratory disease (p < 0.001). The seroprevalence of carriers was 68.2% in Kurd breed horses, 37.1% in the Arabian breed, 64% in Crossbreed, and 80% in the Thoroughbred breed (p < 0.05). Any significant relation was not found between carriers and age (p>0.05). The results of Chi-squared test showed that the most positive results were observed in Arpadresi area of Tabriz city (p < 0.001). The present investigation is the first study in the city, and the results show the lack of proper hygiene and the existence of stable carriers at the level of equestrian clubs.