A severe equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) abortion outbreak caused by a neuropathogenic strain at a breeding farm in northern Germany.
Abstract: A particularly severe equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) abortion outbreak occurred at a breeding farm in northern Germany. Sixteen of 25 pregnant mares that had received regular vaccination using an inactivated vaccine aborted and two gave birth to weak non-viable foals in a span of three months, with 89% of cases occurring within 40 days after the initial abortion case. Virological examinations revealed the presence of EHV-1 in all cases of abortion and serological follow-up in mares confirmed recent infection. Molecular studies identified a neuropathogenic variant (Pol/ORF30 A2254 to G2254) that belonged to geographical group 4 of EHV-1 isolates. The abortion outbreak was preceded by a case of mild ataxia of unknown cause in a mare that aborted four months after the ataxic episode. Although vaccination of pregnant mares did not prevent abortion, good EHV-1 immune status of the population at the time of outbreak may have had an impact in the failure of manifestation of the neurological form of the disease.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-07-02 PubMed ID: 25042527DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.06.023Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research investigates a severe outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) that led to multiple abortions in a breeding farm in Northern Germany, despite regular vaccination.
About the Outbreak
- The outbreak was particularly devastating with 16 out of 25 pregnant mares aborting their foetuses over a span of three months. Moreover, two additional mares gave birth to weak, non-viable foals.
- A significant 89% of these cases happened in a short period of just 40 days following the first detected abortion case, indicating rapid spread.
- The outbreak was traced back to a mare that displayed mild ataxia symptoms (a neurologic disorder affecting balance, coordination and gait), but the exact cause was undetermined. This mare aborted four months after the ataxic episode.
Virological and Serological Findings
- Through rigorous virological examinations, the presence of EHV-1 was confirmed in all cases of abortion.
- The researchers also conducted serological follow-ups confirming recent infection in the mares. Serological tests measure the antibody response in the horse’s serum (the liquid portion of the blood), to determine if a horse has been recently exposed to the virus.
Molecular Studies and Genetic Variants
- Molecular studies were performed which identified a neuropathogenic variant of the virus. This variant was identified as Pol/ORF30 A2254 to G2254 and belonged to geographical group 4 of EHV-1 isolates.
- Neuropathogenic variants are usually associated with neurologic disease, implying this outbreak was caused by a more dangerous form of the virus.
Efficacy of Vaccination and Understanding Immunity
- Despite all the pregnant mares having been regularly vaccinated using an inactivated vaccine, they were unable to prevent the abortions.
- The researchers speculate that good EHV-1 immune status of the population at the time of outbreak may have curbed the manifestation of the neurological form of the disease, even though it did not prevent abortion.
- This raises important questions about the efficacy of the current vaccines and the need for improved options for prevention.
Cite This Article
APA
Damiani AM, de Vries M, Reimers G, Winkler S, Osterrieder N.
(2014).
A severe equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) abortion outbreak caused by a neuropathogenic strain at a breeding farm in northern Germany.
Vet Microbiol, 172(3-4), 555-562.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.06.023 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut für Virologie, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: adamiani@zedat.fu-berlin.de.
- Institut für Virologie, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
- Pferde-Praxis Ahrensburg, Haberkamp 3, 22927 Großhansdorf, Germany.
- Pferde-Praxis Ahrensburg, Haberkamp 3, 22927 Großhansdorf, Germany.
- Institut für Virologie, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Robert von Ostertag-Haus, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
- Abortion, Veterinary / virology
- Animals
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Germany / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / classification
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Pregnancy
Citations
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