There is no vaccine to protect horses, which remain persistently infected with the virus, but ongoing studies at the Gluck Center could lead to the development of a genetically engineered vaccine against the disease and improved diagnostic test systems. Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhea in foals, some of which become critically ill. Outbreaks are on the rise worldwide. Treatment, care and disinfection procedures involved in outbreaks are costly. Researchers are striving to determine the mechanisms involved in stimulating the horse's natural immunity to these bacterial infections.
Leptospirosis is associated with abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal infection in horses.
Scientists discovered that mares shed the leptospires in their urine up to 13 weeks after abortion. Research is ongoing to determine which species of wildlife are long-term reservoirs of the organism on affected farms. Table of Contents Parasitology Anthelmintics, agents to rid horses of internal parasites, have been used successfully for decades. Unfortunately, that has led to certain parasites developing resistance to some of these drugs. Ongoing research at the Gluck Center is looking into the transmission and control of equine internal parasites and trying to overcome the problem of acquired resistance.