Integrated molecular and serological survey ofin horses from three regions of Kazakhstan.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: is a facultative intracellular pathogen causing bronchopneumonia in foals; data from Central Asia are limited. We conducted a cross-sectional serological and molecular survey in horses from three regions of Kazakhstan (Kyzylorda, Almaty, Akmola). METHODS: Sera from 312 animals (272 adults, 40 foals) on 20 farms were tested by indirect ELISA. Selected clinical samples underwent culture, PCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalence was 8.3% (26/312; 95% CI 5.8-11.9). Positivity among foals was 25.0% (10/40; 95% CI 14.2-40.2) versus 5.9% (16/272; 95% CI 3.7-9.3) in adults, with farm-level clusters observed in the Almaty region.was isolated from three foals; a representative sequence was deposited (GenBank OP448586). DISCUSSION: Phylogenetic analysis placed the Kazakhstani isolate within a clade of equine-associatedstrains reported from Europe and East Asia (>99.5% identity). We provide molecularly confirmed evidence ofcirculation in horses from three regions of Kazakhstan, with higher seropositivity in foals and focal farm-level clustering. Findings support the need for broader geographic sampling, test validation against reference sera, and incorporation of management/risk-factor data. Limitations include the regional scope, small number of foals, and absence of environmental or human sampling.