and characterize new and emerging pathogens. Several of the 60-member veterinary diagnostics laboratories (VDLs) of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) are already utilizing this technology. This past spring, many Bluegrass horse farms were experiencing outbreaks of severe diarrhea in very young foals, and traditional diagnostic tests were not useful in providing the answers. Samples were gathered systematically from many local Thoroughbred farms by Emma Adam, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVS, assistant professor, research and industry liaison at the Gluck Equine Research Center, and brought to the UKVDL for testing in the microbiology laboratory of Erdal Erol, DVM, MSc, PhD, head of diagnostic microbiol-
ogy and professor at the UKVDL. He then forwarded select samples to the Texas A&M VDL and the University of Missouri for electron microscopy (EM) for testing. Both labs identified rotavirus on EM. Oddly, all PCR tests for rotavirus group A run at UKVDL had been negative. Feng Li, DVM, PhD, professor and William Robert Mills Chair in Equine Infectious Disease at the Gluck Center, sent fecal specimens to the South Dakota State University VDL for NGS and metagenomics analysis. This collaborative effort identified a novel group B rotavirus in the foal specimens. Until this time, only group A rotavirus was targeted by the UKVDL PCR test. This is a prime example of the outstanding collaborative diagnostic effort among the UKVDL, Gluck Center and other institutions, and
demonstrates how these new methods can rapidly identify a new, emerging pathogen. This data enabled Erol and Li to swiftly develop and validate a new PCR that can now identify the new group B rotavirus in about four hours. This test is now offered by UKVDL. The good news is the UKVDL is now prepared to detect the new virus in upcoming foaling seasons. Once NGS technology is in place at the UKVDL and the Gluck Center, new and emerging pathogens in horses and other animals will be detected faster and easier than ever before. | Erdal Erol, DVM, MSc, PhD, head of diagnostic microbiology and professor, and Litty Paul, PhD, both from the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, provided this information.
EQUINE SCIENCE REVIEW WINS NEWSLETTER CATEGORY AT 2021 AMERICAN HORSE PUBLICATIONS UK Ag Equine Programs Equine Science Review: Highlighting Research & Outreach Efforts at the University of Kentucky won top honors at the 2021 American Horse Publications’ annual media awards competition. The Equine Science Review won in the newsletter business category. “The content is well-researched and well-written, as would be expected from a university of this caliber. Photo selection and placement effectively highlight key points of each article. Overall, this publication does an excellent job of delivering content appropriate for the target audience and meeting its mission statement,” read judges’ comments on the submission.
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