A new field strain of equine abortion virus (equine herpesvirus-1) among Kentucky horses.

The research paper focuses on the discovery and tracking of a new strain of equine abortion virus among horses in Kentucky, explaining how this virus’s primary type has evolved over nearly 24 years.

Research Methodology

• This study started by analyzing the DNA of 317 isolates of the equine herpesvirus-1, the virus responsible for equine abortion among horses.
• The samples were gathered from 176 different outbreaks over a period of almost 24 years, thereby providing a sizable and varied collection of data for the study.

Findings

• A restriction endonuclease characterization of the DNA allowed the researchers to identify two electropherotypes of EHV-1, named 1P and 1B.
• These two electropherotypes accounted for more than 90% of the nonvaccine-related abortion cases examined in the research.
• From 1960 to 1981, the 1P electropherotype was the most frequently found variant in central Kentucky, causing over 80% of EHV-1-related abortions.

Shift in Predominant Strain

• The research further highlights a significant shift in the prevalence of the virus strains. In 1981, cases of abortion related to isolate 1B began to rise.
• Subsequently, since 1982, the 1B electropherotype became the most common variant of EHV-1 isolated from aborted foetuses.

Conclusion

• This paper hence traces the evolution of the equine abortion virus in Kentucky, bringing into focus the change in predominant variant from 1P to 1B over the course of two decades.