scholarly journals Multifocal Equine Influenza Outbreak with Vaccination Breakdown in Thoroughbred Racehorses

Pathogens ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gildea ◽  
Marie Garvey ◽  
Pamela Lyons ◽  
Rachel Lyons ◽  
Jacinta Gahan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Antigenic Analysis ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
Influenza Outbreak ◽  
Thoroughbred Racehorses ◽  
Extensive Field

Equine influenza (EI) outbreaks occurred on 19 premises in Ireland during 2014. Disease affected thoroughbred (TB) and non-TB horses/ponies on a variety of premises including four racing yards. Initial clinical signs presented on 16 premises within a two-month period. Extensive field investigations were undertaken, and the diagnostic effectiveness of a TaqMan RT-PCR assay was demonstrated in regularly-vaccinated and sub-clinically-affected horses. Epidemiological data and repeat clinical samples were collected from 305 horses, of which 40% were reported as clinically affected, 39% were identified as confirmed cases and 11% were sub-clinically affected. Multivariable analysis demonstrated a significant association between clinical signs and age, vaccination status and number of vaccine doses received. Vaccine breakdown was identified in 31% of horses with up to date vaccination records. This included 27 horses in four different racing yards. Genetic and antigenic analysis identified causal viruses as belonging to Clade 2 of the Florida sublineage (FCL2). At the time of this study, no commercially available EI vaccine in Ireland had been updated in line with World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations to include a FCL2 virus. The findings of this study highlight the potential ease with which EI can spread among partially immune equine populations.

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

Animals ◽  
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.

scholarly journals A Bivalent Live-Attenuated Vaccine for the Prevention of Equine Influenza Virus

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 933
Author(s):  
Pilar Blanco-Lobo ◽  
Laura Rodriguez ◽  
Stephanie Reedy ◽  
Fatai S. Oladunni ◽  
Aitor Nogales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Equine Influenza Virus ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Clade 1 ◽  
World Organization

Vaccination remains the most effective approach for preventing and controlling equine influenza virus (EIV) in horses. However, the ongoing evolution of EIV has increased the genetic and antigenic differences between currently available vaccines and circulating strains, resulting in suboptimal vaccine efficacy. As recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the inclusion of representative strains from clade 1 and clade 2 Florida sublineages of EIV in vaccines may maximize the protection against presently circulating viral strains. In this study, we used reverse genetics technologies to generate a bivalent EIV live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). We combined our previously described clade 1 EIV LAIV A/equine/Ohio/2003 H3N8 (Ohio/03 LAIV) with a newly generated clade 2 EIV LAIV that contains the six internal genes of Ohio/03 LAIV and the HA and NA of A/equine/Richmond/1/2007 H3N8 (Rich/07 LAIV). The safety profile, immunogenicity, and protection efficacy of this bivalent EIV LAIV was tested in the natural host, horses. Vaccination of horses with the bivalent EIV LAIV, following a prime-boost regimen, was safe and able to confer protection against challenge with clade 1 (A/equine/Kentucky/2014 H3N8) and clade 2 (A/equine/Richmond/2007) wild-type (WT) EIVs, as evidenced by a reduction of clinical signs, fever, and virus excretion. This is the first description of a bivalent LAIV for the prevention of EIV in horses that follows OIE recommendations. In addition, since our bivalent EIV LAIV is based on the use of reverse genetics approaches, our results demonstrate the feasibility of using the backbone of clade 1 Ohio/03 LAIV as a master donor virus (MDV) for the production and rapid update of LAIVs for the control and protection against other EIV strains of epidemiological relevance to horses.

scholarly journals Whole Genome Sequencing of the First H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Identified in Malaysia

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacinta Gahan ◽  
Marie Garvey ◽  
Rozanah Asmah Abd Samad ◽  
Ann Cullinane
Keyword(s):  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Equine Influenza Virus ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
The Impact

In August 2015, Malaysia experienced an outbreak of acute respiratory disease in racehorses. Clinical signs observed were consistent with equine influenza (EI) infection. The index cases were horses recently imported from New Zealand. Rapid control measures, including temporary cancellation of racing, were implemented to minimize the impact of the outbreak. By November, the disease outbreak was resolved, and movement restrictions were lifted. The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical diagnosis and characterize the causal virus. A pan-reactive influenza type A real-time RT-PCR was used for confirmatory diagnosis. Antigenic characterization by haemagglutinin inhibition using a panel of specific ferret antisera indicated that the causal virus belonged to clade 1 of the H3N8 Florida sub-lineage. The genetic characterization was achieved by the whole genome sequencing of positive nasal swabs from clinically affected animals. Pylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes demonstrated ≥99% homology with several EI strains that had recently circulated in the USA and Japan. The antigenic and genetic characterization did not indicate that the current World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations for EI vaccine composition required modification.

scholarly journals Protection against the New Equine Influenza Virus Florida Clade I Outbreak Strain Provided by a Whole Inactivated Virus Vaccine

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Sylvia Reemers ◽  
Sander van Bommel ◽  
Qi Cao ◽  
David Sutton ◽  
Saskia van de Zande
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Virus Vaccine ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Field Strain ◽  
Equine Influenza Virus ◽  
Outbreak Strain ◽  
Virus Shedding ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
Vaccine Type ◽  
High Level

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in horses. Vaccination is an effective tool for infection control. Although various EIV vaccines are widely available, major outbreaks occurred in Europe in 2018 involving a new EIV H3N8 FC1 strain. In France, it was reported that both unvaccinated and vaccinated horses were affected despite >80% vaccination coverage and most horses being vaccinated with a vaccine expressing FC1 antigen. This study assessed whether vaccine type, next to antigenic difference between vaccine and field strain, plays a role. Horses were vaccinated with an ISCOMatrix-adjuvanted, whole inactivated virus vaccine (Equilis Prequenza) and experimentally infected with the new FC1 outbreak strain. Serology (HI), clinical signs, and virus shedding were evaluated in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated horses. Results showed a significant reduction in clinical signs and a lack of virus shedding in vaccinated horses compared to unvaccinated controls. From these results, it can be concluded that Equilis Prequenza provides a high level of protection to challenge with the new FC1 outbreak strain. This suggests that, apart from antigenic differences between vaccine and field strain, other aspects of the vaccine may also play an important role in determining field efficacy.

scholarly journals Virus Adaptation Following Experimental Infection of Chickens with a Domestic Duck Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Isolate from the 2017 USA H7N9 Outbreak Identifies Polymorphic Mutations in Multiple Gene Segments

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1166
Author(s):  
Klaudia Chrzastek ◽  
Karen Segovia ◽  
Mia Torchetti ◽  
Mary Lee Killian ◽  
Mary Pantin-Jackwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Experimental Infection ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Domestic Duck ◽  
Receptor Binding Site ◽  
Synonymous Mutations ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Virus Adaptation

In March 2017, highly pathogenic (HP) and low pathogenic (LP) avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H7N9 were detected from poultry farms and backyard birds in several states in the southeast United States. Because interspecies transmission is a known mechanism for evolution of AIVs, we sought to characterize infection and transmission of a domestic duck-origin H7N9 LPAIV in chickens and genetically compare the viruses replicating in the chickens to the original H7N9 clinical field samples used as inoculum. The results of the experimental infection demonstrated virus replication and transmission in chickens, with overt clinical signs of disease and shedding through both oral and cloacal routes. Unexpectedly, higher levels of virus shedding were observed in some cloacal swabs. Next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis identified numerous non-synonymous mutations at the consensus level in the polymerase genes (i.e., PA, PB1, and PB2) and the hemagglutinin (HA) receptor binding site in viruses recovered from chickens, indicating possible virus adaptation in the new host. For comparison, NGS analysis of clinical samples obtained from duck specimen collected during the outbreak indicated three polymorphic sides in the M1 segment and a minor population of viruses carrying the D139N (21.4%) substitution in the NS1 segment. Interestingly, at consensus level, A/duck/Alabama (H7N9) had isoleucine at position 105 in NP protein, similar to HPAIV (H7N9) but not to LPAIV (H7N9) isolated from the same 2017 influenza outbreak in the US. Taken together, this work demonstrates that the H7N9 viruses could readily jump between avian species, which may have contributed to the evolution of the virus and its spread in the region.

122 Bioactive Peptides for Enhancing Intestine Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
Julang Li ◽  
Nadeem Akhtar ◽  
Celina Osakowicz ◽  
Lauren Fletcher ◽  
Karmin O ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Significant Rise ◽  
Feed Ratio ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Intestinal Development ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Animal Trials

Abstract Intestinal disorders and colitis affect both animals and humans. The pathogenesis behind the inflammation is complex and not entirely understood. Furthermore, the significant rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has emphasized an urgent need for alternative anti-infective therapies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is one of the appealing alternative to antibiotics due to their antimicrobial activity, mode of actions, and potential role in tissue repair. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in intestinal proliferation and differentiation and thus promotes intestinal development. Using food grade microorganisms such as Lactococcus lactis and yeast as hosts, our laboratory has produced recombinant porcine protegrin-1 (PG-1), a pig originated antimicrobial peptide and EGF via fermentation. Oral administration of PG-1 reduced Citrobacter rodentium induced intestinal infection in mice. This was evidenced by reduced histopathological changes in the colon, prevention of body weight loss, milder clinical signs of disease, and ultimately more effective clearance of bacterial infection. On the other hand, animal trials using the recombinant EGF demonstrated that it enhances intestinal development and growth of early weaned pig fed with antibiotic-free diet. Moreover, piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherchia coli (E. coli) K88 showed similar beneficial responses to EGF as those fed diets with antibiotic in terms of improving gain to feed ratio and lowering oxidative stress. Taken together, our findings suggest the potential for cost-effective production and application of recombinant bioactive proteins as alternatives to antibiotics in animal health and production.

scholarly journals Equine piroplasmosis status in the UK: an assessment of laboratory diagnostic submissions and techniques

2018 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M Coultous ◽  
Paul Phipps ◽  
Charlie Dalley ◽  
Jane Lewis ◽  
Toni-Ann Hammond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Vector Species ◽  
Equine Piroplasmosis ◽  
Tick Vector ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
Health Trust

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has historically been of minor concern to UK equine practitioners, primarily due to a lack of competent tick vectors. However, increased detection of EP tick vector species in the UK has been reported recently. EP screening is not currently required for equine importation, and when combined with recent relaxations in movement regulations, there is an increased risk regarding disease incursion and establishment into the UK. This study evaluated the prevalence of EP by both serology and PCR among 1242 UK equine samples submitted for EP screening between February and December 2016 to the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Animal Health Trust. Where information was available, 81.5 per cent of submissions were for the purpose of UK export testing, and less than 0.1 per cent for UK importation. Serological prevalence of EP was 8.0 per cent, and parasite DNA was found in 0.8 per cent of samples. A subsequent analysis of PCR sensitivity in archived clinical samples indicated that the proportion of PCR-positive animals is likely to be considerably higher. The authors conclude that the current threat imposed by UK carrier horses is not adequately monitored and further measures are required to improve national biosecurity and prevent endemic disease.

scholarly journals Cerebellar peduncle abscess secondary to disseminated strangles in a six-week-old miniature foal

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Brianne Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Abscess Formation ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Streptococcus Equi ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Cerebellar Peduncle ◽  
The Right

During a strangles outbreak within a herd of minature horses, a six week old foal developed acute onset clinical signs of sepsis and neurological deficits. The foal was euthanized and submitted for post-mortem at the Animal Health Laboratories, Guelph Ontario. Gross <em>post-mortem</em> examination noted severe bronchopneumonia, hypopyon of the right eye and a singular cerebellar peduncle abscess. Culture of the lungs and cerebellum produced a pure growth of <em>Streptococcus equi</em> ssp. <em>equi</em>. <em>Streptococcus equi</em> ssp. <em>equi</em>, the causative agent of equine strangles, produces an acute pyrexia, purulent lymphadenopathy of submandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Commonly, lymph node abscesses rupture and resolve without complication. Rarely, complications may include: dissemination of the bacteria with diffuse abscess formation, immune mediated disease (purpura haemorrhagica), rarely abscess formation within the central nervous system (CNS) can occur. These can be managed medically with appropriate antibiotics and drugs to reduce intra-cranial pressure, however surgical drainage and debulking of the abscess has been attempted successfully in a few cases.

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