Name: Strangles ELISA
Brand: Equigerminal
Price: 43.05 EUR

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Strangles ELISA

Pathogen test The iELISA test detects specific antibodies to Streptococcus equi subs. equi, the pathogen (bacteria) responsible for Strangles. Sample 5 mL, blood in...

€43.05

Sample Requirements

5 mL blood in a serum tube

Send your sample by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

Turnaround Time

2 to 5 working days

About the test

This iELISA test detects specific antibodies against Streptococcus equi subsp. equi, the bacterium responsible for Strangles. Serological testing is useful for identifying previous exposure, supporting disease investigations, and detecting horses that may require further examination for persistent infection.

Why test?

Testing is recommended to:

Identify horses previously exposed to Streptococcus equi.
Support the investigation of Strangles outbreaks.
Screen horses before movement or introduction into new groups.
Identify horses that may require further evaluation for persistent guttural pouch infection.
Assist veterinarians in developing appropriate biosecurity measures.

How it works

🛒 Purchase the Test: Select and buy the test online.

📧 Receive Instructions: After payment confirmation, receive instructions for sample collection.

✨ Sample Collection: Your veterinarian collects a blood sample.

📄 Download Submission Form: Download the printable submission form.

📮 Send Samples: Send your samples by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

📄 Receive Results: Get your laboratory report by email.

Clinical signs

Clinical signs of Strangles may include:

Fever
Thick nasal discharge
Swollen lymph nodes beneath the jaw or throat
Abscess formation
Depression
Reduced appetite
Difficulty swallowing

In severe cases, infection may spread to internal organs ("bastard strangles") or lead to purpura hemorrhagica, an immune-mediated complication.

Transmission

Streptococcus equi spreads through:

Direct contact with infected horses
Nasal secretions and abscess drainage
Contaminated equipment, water buckets and tack
Asymptomatic carrier horses harbouring bacteria in the guttural pouches

The bacterium can survive in the environment for extended periods under favourable conditions.

Prevention

Biosecurity on the farm is necessary to prevent spread of disease.
Isolate new horses for three weeks prior to introducing them to the rest of the population.
Isolate any horse with a fever and signs of strangles.
Do not share tack or equipment between sick horses and others
Perform twice daily monitoring of rectal temperatures of all horses in an outbreak to identify new cases.
Stop all movement of horses to and from farm when strangles is identified.
Disinfect water buckets daily.
Use strict hygiene between horses to reduce spread of the disease.
Ideally, three throat flush samples are obtained from recovering horses and any horses who were in contact with sick horses at approximately weekly intervals and tested for S. equi subsp equi by PCR and culture. Identification of strangles bacteria in clinically recovered horses may mean the guttural pouches have retained some infection. Endoscopy of the guttural pouches provides visualisation of any pus or dried debris (chondroids) that harbor the bacteria. A small number of horses will recover from strangles and continue to shed bacteria from the guttural pouch, causing recurrent farm outbreaks. Detection and treatment of these “silent carriers” (S. equi bacteria in guttural pouches) via endoscopy and PCR is essential for preventing disease recurrence on a farm.
Discuss vaccination types and recommendations with your veterinarian. Vaccination does not provide 100% immunity against S. equi infection. Vaccination is not recommended during or within two years of a strangles outbreak due to the increased risk of purpura hemorrhagica.

Results

The iELISA test reports whether antibodies against Streptococcus equi subsp. equi are detected.

Positive: Indicates previous exposure or immune response to S. equi. Additional diagnostic testing may be recommended to determine whether the horse is a persistent carrier.
Negative: No detectable antibody response at the time of testing.

Results should always be interpreted together with the horse's history, clinical signs and vaccination status.

Additional information

Strangles is one of the most contagious bacterial diseases affecting horses worldwide. While many horses recover completely, some become silent carriers, harbouring bacteria within the guttural pouches and acting as a source of future outbreaks. Serology is commonly used alongside PCR and endoscopic examination to support disease control programmes.

FAQs

Which horses should be tested?

Horses with suspected exposure to Strangles, animals involved in outbreaks, horses before movement or introduction into new groups, and horses being evaluated for carrier status.

What sample is required?

5 mL of blood collected in a serum tube.

Does a positive result mean the horse has active Strangles?

Not necessarily. A positive result indicates exposure or an immune response. Additional tests, such as PCR or guttural pouch endoscopy, may be required to determine if the horse is actively infected or is a carrier.

Can vaccinated horses test positive?

Yes. Vaccination may induce antibody production, so results should always be interpreted alongside the horse's vaccination history.

When will I receive my results?

Results are available within 2 to 5 working days after sample arrival at the laboratory.