Disease Name: Dourine disease
Species Affected: Equine
About the Disease:
Dourine is a chronic venereal disease of horses that is sexually transmitted and caused by protozoan parasite. Dourine is typically a disease of horses and donkeys
.
Transmission from stallions to mares is more common, but mares can also transmit the disease to stallions. The parasite T. equiperdum can be found in the vaginal secretions of infected mares and the seminal fluid, mucous exudate of the penis, and sheath of stallions. Periodically, the parasites disappear from the genital tract and the animal becomes non-infectious for weeks to months. The likelihood of infection with T. equiperdum depends on whether the infected host is in an infectious or non-infectious stage. Periodically, the parasites disappear from the genital tract and the animal becomes non-infectious for weeks to months. Non-infectious periods are more common late in the disease. Dourine is an OIE Reportable Disease and notifiable disease in the Disease Category 4 and the disease is restricted to the equine population alone.
Animals Affected:
Dourine mainly affects horses, donkeys, and mules of all Equidea family. Horses and donkeys appear to be the only natural reservoir of this parasite. Male donkeys can be asymptomatic carriers.
Cause:
Dourine is caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma equiperdum , which is sexually transmitted during natural mating or by artificial insemination (AI) with infected semen.
The site of predilection parasite is the reproductive organs of the hosts.
Source of infection:
Infected or carrier animals are the source of infection of the disease. Organisms are present in the urethra of infected stallions and in vaginal discharges of infected mares. The organism may pass through intact mucous membranes to infect the new host through coitus. Infected animals may not transmit the infection on every sexual encounter. As the disease progresses, trypanosomes periodically disappear from the urethra or vagina and during these periods, the animals are noninfective.
Symptoms:
1.
Mucopurulent discharge from the urethra in stallions and from the vagina in mares.

2.
In mares, vulva becomes oedematous, vulvitis, vaginitis with polyuria and finally abortion in pregnant mares.
3.
In stallions, oedema of the prepuce and gland penis.
4.
Restlessness
5.
Incoordination with paralysis.
6.
Other clinical signs may include anaemia, conjunctivitis, keratitis, intermittent fever, and emaciation.
Control and Management:
For prevention and control of this notifiable disease, we should mind the follow points:
1.
Prevention of natural mating or Artificial Insemination with infected horses (stallions or mares) or use of infected stallion semen and strict control of breeding.
2.
Any introductions of horses from endemic areas or areas of incursion should be isolated/quarantine/stop breeding.
3.
Good Stable hygiene is always recommended.
4.
Any horse testing positive will be required to remain under official breeding and movement restrictions indefinitely.
5.
Any venereal contacts with confirmed infected horses must be isolated and will be blood tested to determine the presence of parasite
6.
Infected animals should be humanely destroyed or castrated to prevent further transmission of the disease.
Vaccines:
Currently there is no vaccine available for this disease.
Meteorological Occurrence:
This disease is distributed in worldwide.
Prepared by:
Dr. Peter N
JRF, NADRS, Manipur.
Disease Investigatory Laboratory
Directorate of Veterinary, & A.H. Services,
Manipur