McCarthy H E, French N P, Edwards G B, Miller K, Proudman C J
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2004 Mar;36(2):130-4. doi: 10.2746/0425164044868594.
Equine grass sickness (EGS) occurs repeatedly on certain premises over time. Few studies have sought, or identified, the determinants of this phenomenon in order to inform advice on disease prevention strategies.
Premises-level risk factors are important determinants of whether EGS occurs.
A matched case-control study was undertaken. Sixty premises giving rise to one or more histologically confirmed case of EGS and 120 time-matched control premises were sampled. Data were collected on pasture management, soil nutrient content, pasture nutrient content and local weather conditions for 2 weeks prior to the onset of disease. Data were analysed by conditional logistic regression.
Multivariable modelling identified an association between EGS and increased soil nitrogen content, pasture disturbance and previous occurrence of EGS on the premises. None of the meteorological variables recorded in this study were significantly associated with EGS occurrence. No relationship between certain management practices (e.g. harrowing, fertilisation, reseeding) and the risk of EGS was detected.
This information is useful in understanding the causal pathway of EGS and may be used in the formulation of evidence-based disease avoidance strategies.
随着时间的推移，马属草中毒（EGS）在某些场地反复发生。很少有研究探寻或确定这一现象的决定因素，以便为疾病预防策略提供建议。
场地层面的风险因素是EGS是否发生的重要决定因素。
进行了一项匹配病例对照研究。对出现一例或多例经组织学确诊的EGS病例的60个场地以及120个时间匹配的对照场地进行了采样。收集了疾病发作前2周的牧场管理、土壤养分含量、牧草养分含量和当地天气状况的数据。通过条件逻辑回归分析数据。
多变量建模确定了EGS与土壤氮含量增加、牧场干扰以及场地先前发生EGS之间的关联。本研究中记录的气象变量均与EGS的发生无显著关联。未检测到某些管理措施（如耙地、施肥、重新播种）与EGS风险之间的关系。
该信息有助于理解EGS的因果途径，并可用于制定基于证据的疾病预防策略。
