Investigation of Three Newly Identified Equine Parvoviruses in Blood and Nasal Fluid Samples of Clinically Healthy Horses and Horses with Acute Onset of Respiratory Disease

Three newly identified equine parvoviruses (equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H), equine parvovirus CSF (EqPV-CSF) and equine copivirus (Eqcopivirus)) have recently been discovered in horses with respiratory signs. However, the clinical impact of these three equine parvoviruses has yet to be determined. Nasal fluid samples and blood from 667 equids with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs submitted to a diagnostic laboratory were analyzed for the presence of common equine respiratory pathogens (equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus-1/-4, equine rhinitis A and B virus, S. equi subspecies equi) as well as EqPV-H, EqPV-CSF and Eqcopivirus by qPCR. An additional 87 clinically healthy horses served as controls. One hundred and seventeen sick horses tested qPCR-positive for at least one of the three parvoviruses. Co-infections with common respiratory pathogens and parvoviruses were seen in 39 sick equids. All 87 clinically healthy horses tested qPCR-negative for all tested common respiratory pathogens and 10 healthy horses tested qPCR-positive for one of the equine parvoviruses. When the frequency of detection for EqPV-H, EqPV-CSF and Eqcopivirus of equids with respiratory signs was compared to that of clinically healthy horses, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), suggesting that the three recently identified equine parvoviruses do not contribute to the clinical picture of equids with respiratory disease.

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An Overview of Equine Influenza in South America

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13050888 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 888

Author(s):

Cecilia Olguin-Perglione ◽

María Edith Barrandeguy

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Economic Losses ◽

South American ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Vaccine Manufacturer ◽

Gene Level ◽

Control Procedures

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is one of the most important respiratory pathogens of horses as outbreaks of the disease lead to significant economic losses worldwide. In this review, we summarize the information available on equine influenza (EI) in South America. In the region, the major events of EI occurred almost in the same period in the different countries, and the EIV isolated showed high genetic identity at the hemagglutinin gene level. It is highly likely that the continuous movement of horses, some of them subclinically infected, among South American countries, facilitated the spread of the virus. Although EI vaccination is mandatory for mobile or congregates equine populations in the region, EI outbreaks continuously threaten the equine industry. Vaccine breakdown could be related to the fact that many of the commercial vaccines available in the region contain out-of-date EIV strains, and some of them even lack reliable information about immunogenicity and efficacy. This review highlights the importance of disease surveillance and reinforces the need to harmonize quarantine and biosecurity protocols, and encourage vaccine manufacturer companies to carry out quality control procedures and update the EIV strains in their products.

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Frequency of molecular detection of equine coronavirus in faeces and nasal secretions in 277 horses with acute onset of fever

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.104919 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 184 (12) ◽

pp. 385-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicola Pusterla ◽

Kaitlyn James ◽

Samantha Mapes ◽

Farifield Bain

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Acute Onset ◽

Molecular Diagnostic ◽

Nasal Discharge ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Diagnostic Laboratory ◽

Study Results ◽

Streptococcus Equi ◽

Nasal Secretions

ContextDue to the inconsistent development of enteric signs associated with ECoV infection in adult horses, many practitioners collect nasal secretions rather than feces for the molecular diagnostic work-up of such horses.Main conclusionECoV infection should be considered in horses presenting with acute onset of fever, especially when nasal discharge is absent as one of the cardinal clinical sign.ApproachA total of 277 adult horses with acute onset of fever were enrolled in this study. Feces were tested for ECoV and nasal secretions for common respiratory pathogens (equine herpesvirus (EHV)-1, EHV-4, equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis viruses (ERVs) and Streptococcus equi ss. equi) and ECoV by qPCR. Each submission was accompanied by a questionnaire requesting information pertaining to signalment, use, recent transportation, number of affected horses on the premise and presence of clinical signs at the time of sample collection.ResultsThe total number of horses testing qPCR-positive for ECoV in feces was 20 (7.2%), 4 of which also tested qPCR-positive for ECoV in nasal secretions. In the same population 9.0% of horses tested qPCR-positive for EHV-4, 6.1% for EIV, 4.3% for Streptococcus equi ss. equi, 3.2% for ERVs and 0.7% for EHV-1. Draft horses, pleasure use, multiple horses affected on a premise and lack of nasal discharge were significantly associated with ECoV qPCR-positive horses.InterpretationThe present study results showed that 7.2% of horses with acute onset of fever tested qPCR-positive for ECoV in feces, highlighting the importance of testing such horses for ECoV in feces. The various prevalence factors associated with ECoV qPCR-positive status likely relate to the high infectious nature of ECoV and breed-specific differences in management and husbandry practices.Significance of findingsECoV infection should be suspected and tested for in horses presenting with acute onset of fever, lethargy and anorexia with no respiratory signs. A two-step approach should be consider in which respiratory secretions and feces should be collected from such horses and submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. If the respiratory secretions test negative by qPCR for a panel of respiratory pathogens, feces already submitted to the laboratory should be tested for ECoV.

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Infectious Agents in Acute Respiratory Disease in Horses in Ontario

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063879700900104 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 17-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Suzanne Carman ◽

Søen Rosendal ◽

Leslie Huber ◽

Carlton Gyles ◽

Sharyn McKee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Disease ◽

Virus Type ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Type A ◽

Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽

Infectious Agents ◽

Acute Respiratory Disease ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Influenza

A study of acute respiratory disease in horses in Ontario was undertaken to determine the identity of current causative infectious agents. A nasopharyngeal swab was designed and utilized to maximize isolation of viruses, mycoplasma, and pathogenic bacteria. Serum samples were collected for parallel determination of antibody titers to equine influenza virus type A subtype 1 (H7N7) and subtype 2 (H3N8), equine rhinovirus types 1 and 2, equine herpesvirus type 1, Mycoplasma equirhinius, and Mycoplasma felis. Equine rhinovirus type 2 was recovered from 28/92 horses tested, and equine influenza virus type A, subtype 2, was recovered from 5. The mycoplasma and bacteria isolated were consistent with those commonly associated with nonspecific respiratory diseases in horses, except that Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular type 3 was isolated from 10 horses.

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Investigation of the Shedding of Selected Respiratory Pathogens in Healthy Horses Presented for Routine Dental Care

Journal of Veterinary Dentistry ◽

10.1177/0898756420949135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 88-93

Author(s):

Nicola Pusterla ◽

Molly Rice ◽

Travis Henry ◽

Samantha Barnum ◽

Kaitlyn James

Keyword(s):

Dental Care ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Nasal Discharge ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Streptococcus Equi ◽

Nasal Secretions ◽

Biosecurity Practices

The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of detection of selected infectious respiratory viruses and bacteria in healthy horses presented over a 12-month period for routine dental care at 2 veterinary hospitals. Nasal secretions were collected from 579 horses and tested for equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5), equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis A and B viruses (ERAV, ERBV), Streptococcus equi subspecies equi ( S equi), S equi subspecies zooepidemicus ( S zooepidemicus), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using routine diagnostic quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. True respiratory pathogens (EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, ERBV, and MRSA) were detected in 129 (22%) of the horses. Commensal respiratory pathogens (EHV-2, EHV-5, and S zooepidemicus) were detected in 515 (89%) of the study horses. ERAV and S equi were not detected in any of the study horses. The horses showed statistical differences between the 2 veterinary hospitals in regard to breed, age, presence of nasal discharge, rectal temperature, and detection of true and commensal respiratory pathogens. The data generated from the present study supports the risk for the transmission of true and commensal respiratory pathogens from subclinical shedders to susceptible horses. Equine veterinarians performing routine dental care should engage in routine biosecurity practices, with the goal to reduce disease spread.

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The development of a diagnostic gene chip for detecting five kinds of viruses in horses

Chinese Journal of Agricultural Biotechnology ◽

10.1079/cjb2006112 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 209-215

Author(s):

Zhu Lai-hua ◽

Liang Cheng-zhu ◽

Lu Cheng-ping ◽

Wu Hua ◽

Yang Yuan-jie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Laser Scanner ◽

Gene Chip ◽

Equine Arteritis Virus ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Herpesvirus 1 ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Gene Chips ◽

Specific Hybridization ◽

Short Period ◽

Encephalomyelitis Virus

AbstractThe highly conserved DNAs of Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), Equine arteritis virus (EAV), Equine influenza virus (EIV), Equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) were acquired by molecular cloning, and spotted on the diagnostic gene chip. The cDNAs reverse-transcribed from RNAs of samples were labelled with Cy5-dUTP/Cy3-dUTP as fluorescent probes. Following specific hybridization of the deposited gene chip and labelled probes, fluorescence signals were scanned by laser scanner and the resulting image was analysed by QiamtArray software on a digital computer. The results showed that the prepared gene chip could detect and distinguish the five equine viruses. Its sensitivity was about 25 viral genome copies. The hybridization specificity was confirmed by the presence of red fluorescence signals on the corresponding sites with samples from the five relevant viruses in horses and by the absence of positive signals with the specimens from irrelevant viruses from other animals. Peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) from some seropositive horses in post-arrival quarantine were negative according to virus isolation, but were positive for EHV-1 and EAV according to the gene chip technique. The overall results suggest that gene chips, which are quick, specific, sensitive and reliable, can provide a practical alternative for screening quarantined animals, and will be able to deal with a large number of animal samples within a very short period of time.

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Association of Equine Herpesvirus 5 with Mild Respiratory Disease in a Survey of EHV1, -2, -4 and -5 in 407 Australian Horses

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11123418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3418

Author(s):

Charles El-Hage ◽

Zelalem Mekuria ◽

Kemperly Dynon ◽

Carol Hartley ◽

Kristin McBride ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Disease ◽

Quantitative Difference ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Clinical History ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Influenza Outbreak ◽

Clinically Normal ◽

History Of

Equine herpesviruses (EHVs) are common respiratory pathogens in horses; whilst the alphaherpesviruses are better understood, the clinical importance of the gammaherpesviruses remains undetermined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of, and any association between, equine respiratory herpesviruses EHV1, -2, -4 and -5 infection in horses with and without clinical signs of respiratory disease. Nasal swabs were collected from 407 horses in Victoria and included clinically normal horses that had been screened for regulatory purposes. Samples were collected from horses during Australia’s equine influenza outbreak in 2007; however, horses in Victoria required testing for proof of freedom from EIV. All horses tested in Victoria were negative for EIV, hence archived swabs were available to screen for other pathogens such as EHVs. Quantitative PCR techniques were used to detect EHVs. Of the 407 horses sampled, 249 (61%) were clinically normal, 120 (29%) presented with clinical signs consistent with mild respiratory disease and 38 (9%) horses had an unknown clinical history. Of the three horses detected shedding EHV1, and the five shedding EHV4, only one was noted to have clinical signs referable to respiratory disease. The proportion of EHV5-infected horses in the diseased group (85/120, 70.8%) was significantly greater than those not showing signs of disease (137/249, 55%). The odds of EHV5-positive horses demonstrating clinical signs of respiratory disease were twice that of EHV5-negative horses (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.16). No quantitative difference between mean loads of EHV shedding between diseased and non-diseased horses was detected. The clinical significance of respiratory gammaherpesvirus infections in horses remains to be determined; however, this survey adds to the mounting body of evidence associating EHV5 with equine respiratory disease.

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Immune responses to commercial equine vaccines against equine herpesvirus-1, equine influenza virus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and tetanus

Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology ◽

10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.01.010 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 111 (1-2) ◽

pp. 67-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Mark A. Holmes ◽

Hugh G.G. Townsend ◽

Andrea K. Kohler ◽

Steve Hussey ◽

Cormac Breathnach ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Equine Herpesvirus ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Herpesvirus 1 ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Herpesvirus 1 ◽

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis

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Seroprevalence and Rate of Infection of Equine Influenza Virus (H3N8 and H7N7) and Equine Herpesvirus (1 and 4) in the Horse Population in Israel

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science ◽

10.1016/j.jevs.2014.01.012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 828-832 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karin Aharonson-Raz ◽

Irit Davidson ◽

Yael Porat ◽

Amira Altory ◽

Eyal Klement ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Herpesvirus ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Horse Population ◽

Equine Herpesvirus 1 ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Herpesvirus 1

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Isolation and genetic characterization of naturally NS-truncated H3N8 equine influenza virus in South Korea

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026881300143x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 142 (4) ◽

pp. 759-766 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

W. NA ◽

B. KANG ◽

H.-I. KIM ◽

M. HONG ◽

S.-J. PARK ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Disease ◽

Gene Segment ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Biological Data ◽

Structural Protein ◽

Equine Influenza Virus ◽

Equine Influenza ◽

Routine Surveillance ◽

Clade 1

SUMMARYEquine influenza virus (EIV) causes a highly contagious respiratory disease in equids, with confirmed outbreaks in Europe, America, North Africa, and Asia. Although China, Mongolia, and Japan have reported equine influenza outbreaks, Korea has not. Since 2011, we have conducted a routine surveillance programme to detect EIV at domestic stud farms, and isolated H3N8 EIV from horses showing respiratory disease symptoms. Here, we characterized the genetic and biological properties of this novel Korean H3N8 EIV isolate. This H3N8 EIV isolate belongs to the Florida sublineage clade 1 of the American H3N8 EIV lineage, and surprisingly, possessed a non-structural protein (NS) gene segment, where 23 bases of the NS1-encoding region were naturally truncated. Our preliminary biological data indicated that this truncation did not affect virus replication; its effect on biological and immunological properties of the virus will require further study.

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