LABÉO Academy : Quel lien entre infection respiratoire subclinique et contre performance ?

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, as it synthesizes multiple studies and provides a nuanced perspective on the role of subclinical infections in equine performance. The argumentation is solid, systematically reviewing evidence for each pathogen type and highlighting the limitations of diagnostic methods. The speaker effectively uses data from longitudinal studies to show that viral detection is common but not consistently associated with performance, and that bacterial presence may even be a marker of high training intensity. The discussion of the ‘open window’ theory adds depth. However, the presentation is a webinar, so it lacks the rigor of a peer-reviewed article, and some conclusions are based on limited studies.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is good, with references to several peer-reviewed studies (e.g., Doubliunois 2016, Quetil 2021, Ludigarch 2025, Newton 2008, Wood 2005, Cardouéal 2013, Manguin 2019). The speaker clearly distinguishes between prevalence and incidence, and between different sampling sites. The title accurately reflects the content. However, the webinar format and the speaker’s admission of a PowerPoint error slightly detract from the professionalism. No comments were provided, so no analysis of public reception is possible.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on the relationship between subclinical respiratory infections and underperformance in horses.

7/10

The presentation is based on several peer-reviewed studies, but the speaker notes a PowerPoint version issue and the content is a webinar, not a formal review. The speaker provides detailed data and references, but some claims lack direct citations in the transcript.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and definition of underperformance
• 02:00Overview of causes of underperformance, focusing on subclinical infections
• 05:00Discussion of viral infections: prevalence and incidence in different sampling sites
• 10:00Comparison of diagnostic methods: PCR, NGS, serology, and their limitations
• 15:00Association between viruses and clinical signs, and impact on performance
• 20:00Bacterial infections: dynamic colonization and the shift from infectious to ecosystem model
• 25:00Fungal infections: high prevalence but mainly environmental exposure
• 30:00Conclusion: subclinical infections are common but rarely the direct cause of chronic underperformance

• Fripia 2025 (list of pathogens) — Cited as a publication listing pathogens responsible for underperformance
• Doubliunois 2016 (longitudinal study) — Study on 52 trotters followed for 2 years with nasopharyngeal swabs and tracheal washes
• Quetil 2021 (study on 31 horses) — Study on 31 horses followed for 7 months with multiple sampling sites
• Ludigarch 2025 (study on 122 trotters) — Study on 122 trotters with controls and asthmatic horses, presented at CIM congress
• Matzei 2024 (NGS study) — Study on 14 horses using NGS to detect viral sequences in BAL
• Mford and Rosedell 1980 — Early work on subclinical viral infections and performance
• Backal 2015 (study on 13 trotters) — Study on 13 trotters over 13 months assessing viral activity and performance
• Newton et al. 2008 (bacterial study) — Study on 29 Welsh Mountain ponies showing dynamic bacterial colonization
• Wood and Hall 2005 — Proposed infectious model for equine asthma
• Cardouéal 2013 — Proposed inflammatory proximal model linking mucus to performance
• Manguin 2019 — Discussed microbiome and dysbiosis in respiratory health
• Dovilier et al. 2018 — Study on fungal detection in tracheal washes
• Barbasange et al. 2025 — Study on fungal detection in tracheal washes
• Délit et al. (environmental study) — Study on fungal detection in controlled environment

• Doubliunois 2016 — Found high prevalence of EHV2 and EHV5 but no association with performance
• Quetil 2021 — Found no association between viral presence and performance, but link with inflammation
• Ludigarch 2025 — Found only transient effect of ERBV on next race, no long-term impact

• Wood and Hall 2005 — Proposed direct bacterial causation of equine asthma, which is contradicted by later studies emphasizing inflammation and microbiome.