Prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in foals of west northern Rajasthan by Vap A and Vap C genes specific polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Rhodococcus equi infection is considered as the most common cause of severe pneumonia in foals and has a substantial impact on equine breeding farms because of its high prevalence and case fatality rate. The objective of the study was to identify prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in foals of west north Rajasthan. Fecal swab samples were collected and cultured on Rhodococcus equi specific CAZ-NB media and DNA sample was extracted. 100 foals screened from west north Rajasthan state, out of which 18 foals were found positive based on PCR results for the Rhodococcus equi infection as these samples showed the amplification of Vap A and Vap C genes. The prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in female foals was 26 per cent while the prevalence of Rhodococcus equi in male foals was 9 per cent.