New Insights into an Old Disease - Strangles

I. Introduction
Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial disease of horses involving the upper respiratory tract and the lymph nodes of the head and neck. Strangles is caused by the obligate β- hemolytic, gram positive cocci Streptococcus equi subspecies equi aka S. equi, and is arguably the most prevalent infectious equine disease worldwide. The disease has been recognized for centuries, and veterinary records describing cases of strangles can be found in the literature as far back as 1251. Despite significant advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease, it still has a significant morbidity in susceptible populations of horses, ponies and donkeys of all ages, and remains a serious threat to equine populations across the world. Strategies for control rely on early recognition, isolation of suspect or known cases, and careful quarantining of affected premises. […]