On Jan. 27, the global research company Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announced plans for a field test of a Rhodococcus equi vaccine. The R-equi strain of bacteria commonly causes serious infections or pneumonia in young foals and sometimes can be fatal.

Other attempts to create an R-equi vaccine have been unsuccessful, but the demand for an effective one is high. The current treatment is via long-term antibiotics and doesn’t guarantee a full recovery.

“The advantage for the animals [of an effective vaccine] would be that they are protected against suffering from a severe and potentially fatal disease. In addition, for horse owners and breeders disease prevention would avoid significant economic losses. Finally, the availability of a safe and efficacious vaccine would lead to a reduction of antibiotics prescription in animals” said Dr. René Aerts, Vice President of Global Biologicals R&D at Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health in an official press release. 

The trial, which will take place in Germany, does not have a scheduled date.