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Topic:Virus
The study of viral infections that affect equine species assesses the relationship between viruses and horses. Infections can lead to a range of clinical symptoms and may impact the health and performance of horses. Common equine viruses include Equine Influenza Virus, Equine Herpesvirus, and West Nile Virus, among others. Understanding the mechanisms of viral transmission, pathogenesis, and host immune responses is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the epidemiology, molecular biology, and clinical management of viral infections in horses.
Annual booster vaccination and the risk of equine influenza to Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine influenza (EI) outbreaks occurred among horses on four racing yards (two National Hunt, one Flat, one mixed National Hunt racing/breeding yard) in Ireland within a 4-week period. Objective: To carry out a detailed analysis of racing yards affected in order to identify the source of infection and monitor virus spread among a vaccinated population. Methods: Observational field study. Methods: Epidemiological and vaccination data along with repeat clinical samples were collected from 118 horses on four premises. Results: Failure to implement appropriate biosecurity measures following the i...
Molecular Detection and Genetic Characteristics of Equine Herpesvirus in Korea. Respiratory diseases cause significant economic losses (especially in the horse racing industry). The present study describes the detection and genetic characteristics of equine herpesvirus (EHV) from a total of 1497 samples from clinically healthy horses in Korea, including 926 blood samples, 187 lung tissues, and 384 nasal swabs. EHV-2 and EHV-5 were detected in 386 (41.7%; 95% CI: 38.5-44.9) and 201 (21.7%; 95% CI: 19.1-24.4) blood samples, respectively, and in 25 (13.4%; 95% CI: 8.5-18.2) and 35 (18.7%; 95% CI: 13.1-24.3) lung tissues, respectively. EHV-1 and EHV-4 were not detected in eit...
Bearing the brunt: Mongolian khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus) are exposed to multiple influenza A strains. The majority of influenza A virus strains are hosted in nature by avian species in the orders of Anseriformes and Charadriformes. A minority of strains have been able to cross species boundaries and establish themselves in novel non-avian hosts. Influenza viruses of horses, donkeys, and mules represent such successful events of avian to mammal influenza virus adaptation. Mongolia has over 3 million domestic horses and is home to two wild equids, the Asiatic wild ass or khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus), and Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii). Domestic and wild equids are sympatric acr...
Special Issue “Equine Viruses”: Old “Friends” and New Foes? The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has recently estimated that the world equid population exceeds 110 million (FAOSTAT 2017).[...].
An emerging equine parvovirus circulates in thoroughbred horses in north Xinjiang, China, 2018. In 2015, a novel equine parvovirus, equine parvovirus-cerebrospinal fluid (EqPV-CSF), was identified from cerebrospinal fluid of a horse with neurological signs and lymphocytosis in USA. In our study, an EqPV-CSF-like virus was detected from 15 serum samples of 65 imported thoroughbred horses during custom quarantine in north Xinjiang province, China. Further field investigation in several major horse-producing areas in Xinjiang using specific PCR showed that this virus was detected mainly in thoroughbred horses (39/154 positive) previously imported, not in local breeds (0/127 positive). Phylo...
Susceptibility of rat immortalized neuronal cell line Rn33B expressing equine major histocompatibility class 1 to equine herpesvirus-1 infection is differentiation dependent. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), which causes encephalomyelitis in horses, shows endotheliotropism in the central nervous system of horses, and generally does not infect neurons. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the resistance of neuron to EHV-1, due to the lack of convenient cell culture systems. In this study, we examined EHV-1 infection in immortalized Rn33B rat neuronal cells, which differentiate into neurons when cultured under nonpermissive conditions. Because murine cell lines are resistant to EHV-1 infections due to the lack of functional entry receptors for EHV-1, ...
Structural insights into NS5B protein of novel equine hepaciviruses and pegiviruses complexed with polymerase inhibitors. Infections produced by hepaciviruses have been associated with liver disease in horses. Currently, at least three viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family are capable of producing a chronic infection in equines: non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV), and equine pegivirus (EPgV). The RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of viruses (RdRp) (NS5 protein), from the flavivirus family, use de novo RNA synthesis to initiate synthesis. The two antiviral drugs currently used to treat hepatitis C (HCV), sofosbuvir and dasabuvir, act on the viral NS5B polymerase as nucleos...
Molecular and genomic characterization of a novel equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus. Cases of pox-like lesions in horses and donkeys have been associated with poxviruses belonging to different genera of the family . These include the orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus (VACV), horsepoxvirus (HPXV) and cowpoxvirus (CPXV), as well as a potentially novel parapoxvirus and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). However, with the exception of VACV, HPXV and CPXV, the genomic characterization of the causative agents remains largely elusive with only single short genome fragments available. Here we present the first full-length genome sequence of an equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus (EM...
A Chimeric Sudan Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Candidate Produced by a Recombinant Baculovirus System Induces Specific Immune Responses in Mice and Horses. Ebola virus infections lead to severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans and nonhuman primates; and human fatality rates are as high as 67%-90%. Since the Ebola virus was discovered in 1976, the only available treatments have been medical support or the emergency administration of experimental drugs. The absence of licensed vaccines and drugs against the Ebola virus impedes the prevention of viral infection. In this study, we generated recombinant baculoviruses (rBV) expressing the Sudan virus (SUDV) matrix structural protein (VP40) (rBV-VP40-VP40) or the SUDV glycoprotein (GP) (rBV-GP-GP), and SUDV...
The association of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) with cases of non-biologic-associated Theiler’s disease on a farm in Ontario, Canada. Theiler's disease was confirmed within a group horses located on a farm in southwestern Ontario during the summer and autumn of 2005. Five sudden deaths occurred between 3 July and 21 August, 2005, none of which were necropsied, however two of the horses showed clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy prior to death. No horse on the farm had received a biologic product of equine blood origin in the preceding six months. The only biologics used on the property were the administration of killed vaccines for rabies, tetanus and West Nile Virus to all horses 30 days prior to the onset...
Viral Equine Encephalitis, a Growing Threat to the Horse Population in Europe? Neurological disorders represent an important sanitary and economic threat for the equine industry worldwide. Among nervous diseases, viral encephalitis is of growing concern, due to the emergence of arboviruses and to the high contagiosity of herpesvirus-infected horses. The nature, severity and duration of the clinical signs could be different depending on the etiological agent and its virulence. However, definite diagnosis generally requires the implementation of combinations of direct and/or indirect screening assays in specialized laboratories. The equine practitioner, involved in a missi...
Establishment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Getah virus infection in horses using a 20-mer synthetic peptide for the E2 glycoprotein as an antigen. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a synthetic peptide for the E2 glycoprotein was developed for the serodiagnosis of Getah virus infection in horses. To identify an immunogenic epitope, a series of 20-mer peptides (n = 22) for the E2 protein was screened with pooled sera from horses infected with Getah virus. Peptide P11 (PTEEEIDMHTPPDIPDITLL) showed the strongest reaction. ELISA using P11 (E2-P11-ELISA) detected increased antibody levels in all seven experimentally infected horses and in five out of nine vaccinated horses. Out of 28 naturally infected horses, 25 were sero...
Efficacy of FDA-Approved Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Against Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a category B select agent pathogen that can be aerosolized. Infections in murine models and humans can advance to an encephalitic phenotype which may result in long-term neurological complications or death. No specific FDA-approved treatments or vaccines are available for the treatment or prevention of VEEV infection. Neurotropic viral infections have two damaging components: neuronal death caused by viral replication, and damage from the subsequent inflammatory response. Reducing the level of inflammation may lessen neurological tissue damage tha...
Further Evidence for in Utero Transmission of Equine Hepacivirus to Foals. (1) Background: Equine hepacivirus (EqHV), also referred to as non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), infects horses-and dogs in some instances-and is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) that has infected up to 3% of the world's human population, causing an epidemic of liver cirrhosis and cancer. EqHV also chronically infects the liver of horses, but does not appear to cause serious liver damages. Previous studies have been looking to identify route(s) of EqHV transmission to and between horses. (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate the prevalence of vertical transmis...
Detection of hepatitis E virus genotypes 3 and 4 in donkeys in northern China. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of acute self-limiting hepatitis in humans in developing countries. Hepatitis E virus RNA was first detected in donkeys in Spain, but little is known about the possible presence of HEV in donkeys in China. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of HEV in donkeys in northern China. Methods: Investigation of the prevalence of HEV in donkeys using serological, molecular and phylogenetic approaches. Methods: A total of 401 donkey serum specimens were tested for serological and molecular detection of HEV via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quan...
EHV-1: A Constant Threat to the Horse Industry. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is one of the most important and prevalent viral pathogens of horses and a major threat to the equine industry throughout most of the world. EHV-1 primarily causes respiratory disease but viral spread to distant organs enables the development of more severe sequelae; abortion and neurologic disease. The virus can also undergo latency during which viral genes are minimally expressed, and reactivate to produce lytic infection at any time. Recently, there has been a trend of increasing numbers of outbreaks of a devastating form of EHV-1, equine herpesviral myeloenceph...
First detection and genetic characterization of a novel kirkovirus from a dead thoroughbred mare in northern Xinjiang, China, in 2018. In May 2018, a 8 year old thoroughbred mare died at an equestrian club in Changji, Xinjiang, China. The horse had been imported from the United States in 2013. She became pregnant in December 2016 but, after foaling, gradually lost weight and died in May 2018. This study aim to identify the pathogen, who cause of horse death, using virome. Results: We have identified an Equ1-like virus from the fecal virome of a dead thoroughbred mare in China. Full genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the virus, tentatively named "kirkovirus Cj-7-7", showed that it was closely related to kirkovirus...
vB_PaeM_MIJ3, a Novel Jumbo Phage Infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Possesses Unusual Genomic Features. Phages are the most abundant biological entity on Earth. There are many variants in phage virion sizes, morphology, and genome sizes. Large virion sized phages, with genome sizes greater than 200 kbp have been identified and termed as Jumbo phages. These phages exhibit certain characteristics that have not been reported in phages with smaller genomes. In this work, a jumbo phage named MIJ3 (vB_PaeM_MIJ3) that infects PAO1 was isolated from an equine livery yard in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. The genome and biological characteristics of this phage have been investigated. MIJ3 is a Myovirus...
Development of horse neutralizing immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin fragments against Junín virus. Argentine haemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a rodent-borne disease with a lethality as high as ~30%, which is caused by the New World arenavirus, Junín virus (JUNV). It was once a major epidemic in South America and puts millions of people in Argentina at risk. Here, we aimed to develop horse antibodies or antibody fragments against JUNV. Before preparing the horse antibodies, a strategy to efficiently generate horse antisera was established based on comparisons among immunogens and immunization methods in both mice and horses. Antisera against JUNV were finally obtained by vaccinating horses with ...
Molecular Characterization of the Major Open Reading Frames (ORFs) and Enhancer Elements From Four Geographically Distinct North American Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) Isolates. Although the equine lentivirus (equine infectious anemia virus [EIAV]) poses a major threat to equid populations throughout most regions of the world, detailed knowledge concerning its molecular epidemiology is still in its infancy. Such information is important because the few studies conducted to date suggest there is extensive genetic variation between viral isolates that if confirmed has significant implications for future vaccine design and development of newer diagnostic procedures. Here, we avoid potential assembly artifacts inherent in composite sequencing techniques by using long-rang...
Equid Herpesvirus 1 Targets the Sensitization and Induction Steps To Inhibit the Type I Interferon Response in Equine Endothelial Cells. Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a viral pathogen of horse populations worldwide spread by the respiratory route and is known for causing outbreaks of neurologic syndromes and abortion storms. Previously, we demonstrated that an EHV-1 strain of the neuropathogenic genotype, T953, downregulates the beta interferon (IFN-β) response in equine endothelial cells (EECs) at 12 h postinfection (hpi). In the present study, we explored the molecular correlates of this inhibition as clues toward an understanding of the mechanism. Data from our study revealed that EHV-1 infection of EECs significantly red...
The gut microbiome of horses: current research on equine enteral microbiota and future perspectives. Understanding the complex interactions of microbial communities including bacteria, archaea, parasites, viruses and fungi of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) associated with states of either health or disease is still an expanding research field in both, human and veterinary medicine. GIT disorders and their consequences are among the most important diseases of domesticated Equidae, but current gaps of knowledge hinder adequate progress with respect to disease prevention and microbiome-based interventions. Current literature on enteral microbiomes mirrors a vast data and knowledge imbalance, w...
[Equine Infectious Anaemia – a review from an official veterinary perspective]. Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a sporadic viral disease in many countries. Every single case has, however, a dramatic impact: infected animals have to be put down, and quarantine restrictions on horse movements lasting three months lead to substantial economic losses. In Switzerland, the mandatory notification was introduced in 1994 in order to facilitate international traffic. A year later, the "new" Ordinance on epizootics of 1995 classified EIA as a "disease to be eradicated". An infected polo horse in the canton of Argovia in summer 2017 thus represented Switzerland's first official ca...
Cross-protective immune responses against African horse sickness virus after vaccination with protein NS1 delivered by avian reovirus muNS microspheres and modified vaccinia virus Ankara. African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is an insect-borne pathogen that causes acute disease in horses and other equids. In an effort to improve the safety of currently available vaccines and to acquire new knowledge about the determinants of AHSV immunogenicity, new generation vaccines are being developed. In this work we have generated and tested a novel immunization approach comprised of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) of AHSV serotype 4 (AHSV-4) incorporated into avian reovirus muNS protein microspheres (MS-NS1) and/or expressed using recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector (MVA-NS1)....
Silent Circulation of the Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus among Humans and Equids, Southeast Brazil. Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that occurs throughout the Americas, and is considered a public health threat. In Brazil, SLEV has been detected from human cases associated with dengue-like disease, but no neurological symptoms were reported. Furthermore, the epidemiology of SLEV in human populations is still poorly explored in the country. We reported serological and molecular detection of SLEV in a healthy population of equids and humans from rural areas in Southeast Brazil. A plaque reduction neutralization test was applied, and neutralizing antibodies w...
