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Influenza and other respiratory viruses2010; 4(6); 363-372; doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2010.00163.x

A comparative antibody study of the potential susceptibility of Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred horse populations in Ireland to equine influenza virus.

Abstract: In Ireland, horses may be protected against equine influenza virus (EIV) as a result of natural exposure or vaccination. Current mandatory vaccination programmes are targeted at highly mobile horses. A correlation between antibody levels as measured by single radial haemolysis (SRH) and protective immunity against EIV has been established. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of selected populations of horses by quantifying their antibodies to EIV. Methods: Blood samples were collected from Thoroughbred weanlings, yearlings, racehorses and broodmares, teaser stallions and non-Thoroughbred horses. Antibodies against EIV H3N8 and H7N7 were measured by SRH. Results: The order of susceptibility to Equine Influenza (EI) in the populations examined in Ireland was as follows: Thoroughbred weanlings > teasers > non-Thoroughbred horses and ponies > Thoroughbred yearlings > Thoroughbred horses in training > Thoroughbred broodmares. The H3N8 antibody levels of the weanlings, yearlings, broodmares and horses in training were similar to their H7N7 antibody levels, suggesting that their antibodies were primarily vaccinal in origin. The teasers and non-Thoroughbreds had higher H3N8 antibody levels than H7N7 antibody levels, suggesting that the majority of seropositive horses in these populations had been exposed to H3N8 by natural infection. Conclusions: Weanlings, teasers and non-Thoroughbred horses were identified as most susceptible to EIV. The results suggest that it would be advisable that weanlings are vaccinated prior to attendance at public sales, that teaser stallions are vaccinated prior to each breeding season and that mandatory vaccination be implemented for participation in non-Thoroughbred events.
© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2010-10-21 PubMed ID: 20958930PubMed Central: PMC4634612DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2010.00163.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study focuses on determining the susceptibility of various horse populations in Ireland to equine influenza virus (EIV) by measuring their antibody levels. It suggests that vaccinating weanlings before public sales, teaser stallions before the breeding season, and mandatory vaccination for non-Thoroughbred horses participating in events could potentially increase their resistance to EIV.

Objective and Methodology

  • The main goal of this research was to understand how susceptible different horse populations in Ireland are to EIV by quantifying their antibodies. This would help in developing effective vaccination strategies to protect these at-risk groups.
  • The study was conducted by collecting blood samples from different groups of horses – Thoroughbred weanlings, yearlings, racehorses, broodmares, teaser stallions, and non-Thoroughbred horses.
  • The antibodies against EIV variants H3N8 and H7N7 in these samples were then measured using a method known as single radial hemolysis (SRH), which determines the level of antibodies in a blood sample and provides clues about past exposure to specific viruses or vaccination effects.

Results

  • The research found that different groups of horses exhibited varying levels of susceptibility to EIV. In decreasing order of susceptibility, the groups were: Thoroughbred weanlings, teaser stallions, non-Thoroughbred horses and ponies, Thoroughbred yearlings, Thoroughbred horses in training, and Thoroughbred broodmares.
  • The antibody levels in the blood samples indicated that the antibodies of weanlings, yearlings, broodmares and racehorses were majorly from vaccinations (since their H3N8 and H7N7 antibodies were more or less similar).
  • On the contrary, teaser stallions and non-Thoroughbreds showed more H3N8 antibody levels than H7N7, indicating that these horses were possibly exposed naturally to the H3N8 variant of the EIV, rather than being vaccinated.

Conclusions

  • This study identified weanlings, teasers and non-Thoroughbred horses as the most susceptible groups to EIV in Ireland. Based on these results, the study recommends targeted preventative action: vaccination of weanlings prior to public sales, vaccination of teaser stallions before each breeding season, and implementing mandatory vaccination for non-Thoroughbred horses participating in events.
  • The results from this study are essential in guiding decision-making for EIV vaccination policies and understanding how different horse populations respond to natural virus exposure and vaccination.

Cite This Article

APA
Gildea S, Arkins S, Cullinane A. (2010). A comparative antibody study of the potential susceptibility of Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred horse populations in Ireland to equine influenza virus. Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 4(6), 363-372. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-2659.2010.00163.x

Publication

Influenza and other respiratory viruses
ISSN: 1750-2659
NlmUniqueID: 101304007
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 6
Pages: 363-372

Researcher Affiliations

Gildea, Sarah
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Arkins, Sean
    Cullinane, Ann

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Antibodies, Viral / blood
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / immunology
      • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
      • Horses
      • Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / immunology
      • Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype / immunology
      • Ireland
      • Male
      • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
      • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary

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