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TheHorse.com THE HORSE August 2015
H
umans have been waging war against the soldiers
of disease for hundreds of years, long before fabled
scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek first discovered
these tiny organisms under a microscope. In fact, in
March 2015 a team of biologists and medieval scholars at the
University of Nottingham uncovered a 10th century recipe
for antibacterial eye ointment. After recreating the salve,
they confirmed their predecessors in the laboratory were on
to something—the concoction was effective against today's
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacterial
species that earned their name because of broad resistance to
most modern drugs.
CHRISTY CORP-MINAMIJI, DVM
THE BATTLE
AGAINST THE
BUGS
There's an "anti" for almost
everything. Here's a rundown
on our arsenal of equine
disease-fighting drugs and
their proper uses
Indeed, the battle with pathogens, or
agents of disease, continues today, but
current mainstays of the human-led
arsenal in the disease wars are an array of
"anti" drugs, which include antimicrobi-
als (more commonly called antibiotics),
antivirals, antiparasitics, and antifungals.
These are designed to fight enemies
that use guerrilla-type tactics against
the horse's immune system—targeting
its weaknesses and adapting quickly to
changes in the environment.
The Enemy
Different pathogens cause similar signs
of disease. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi, for
instance, can all cause nasal discharge,
while bacteria, parasites, protozoa, and
viruses can all cause diarrhea. However,
each pathogen is a unique organism car-
rying its own strengths and weaknesses
into battle. Recognizing the ploys of
each—and applying proper treatment—
can mean a more successful outcome.