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Home / Equine Research Bank / N Z Vet J / A survey of respiratory viruses in New Zealand horses.
New Zealand veterinary journal2013; 61(5); 254-261; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2012.745211

A survey of respiratory viruses in New Zealand horses.

Abstract: To determine which viruses circulate among selected populations of New Zealand horses and whether or not viral infections were associated with development of respiratory disease. Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from 33 healthy horses and 52 horses with respiratory disease and tested by virus isolation and/or PCR for the presence of equine herpesviruses (EHV) and equine rhinitis viruses. Results: Herpesviruses were the only viruses detected in nasal swab samples. When both the results of nasal swab PCR and virus isolation were considered together, a total of 41/52 (79%) horses with respiratory disease and 2/32 (6%) healthy horses were positive for at least one virus. As such, rates of virus detection were significantly higher (p<0.001) in samples from horses with respiratory disease than from healthy horses. More than half of the virus-positive horses were infected with multiple viruses. Infection with EHV-5 was most common (28 horses), followed by EHV-2 (27 horses), EHV-4 (21 horses) and EHV-1 (3 horses). Conclusions: Herpesviruses were more commonly detected in nasal swabs from horses with respiratory disease than from healthy horses suggesting their aetiological involvement in the development of clinical signs among sampled horses. Further investigation to elucidate the exact relationships between these viruses and respiratory disease in horses is warranted. Conclusions: Equine respiratory disease has been recognised as an important cause of wastage for the equine industry worldwide. It is likely multifactorial, involving complex interactions between different microorganisms, the environment and the host. Ability to control, or minimise, the adverse effects of equine respiratory disease is critically dependent on our understanding of microbial agents involved in these interactions. The results of the present study update our knowledge on the equine respiratory viruses currently circulating among selected populations of horses in New Zealand.
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Publication Date: 2013-02-21 PubMed ID: 23425354DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2012.745211Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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 article investigates respiratory viruses present in selected populations of horses in New Zealand, revealing that herpesvirus infections were more common in horses with respiratory ailments compared to healthy ones. Evidence also suggested high rates of multi-virus infections among the horses with respiratory disease.

Methods Used

  • The researchers utilized nasal swabs from two groups of horses (33 healthy and 52 with respiratory disease) sourced from selective populations in New Zealand.
  • Different analyses were performed on these samples, including virus isolation and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to detect the presence of equine herpesviruses (EHV) and equine rhinitis viruses.

Findings

  • The analyses revealed that only herpesviruses were present in the nasal swab samples.
  • When considering the results from both PCR tests and virus isolation, about 79% of the horses with respiratory issues and 6% of the healthy horses had at least one type of virus.
  • Significantly higher rates of virus detection were observed in horses with respiratory diseases compared to healthy ones.
  • More than half of the virus-positive horses were found to be infected with multiple viruses.
  • The most commonly detected virus was EHV-5, followed by EHV-2, EHV-4, and EHV-1.

Conclusions

  • Herpesviruses were more commonly identified in horses with respiratory problems, indicating a probable link between these viruses and the development of respiratory disease symptoms in horses.
  • Based on the findings, there’s a need for more in-depth research to specify the relationships between these viruses and respiratory disease in horses.
  • The study also emphasized that equine respiratory disease, a significant concern for the global equine industry, likely results from intricate interactions between various microorganisms, the environment, and the host. To control or minimize the adverse impacts of this disease, a solid understanding of the microbial agents involved is essential.
  • The result contributes to updated knowledge about the current equine respiratory viruses circulating among selected populations of New Zealand horses.

Cite This Article

APA
McBrearty KA, Murray A, Dunowska M. (2013). A survey of respiratory viruses in New Zealand horses. N Z Vet J, 61(5), 254-261. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2012.745211

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 5
Pages: 254-261

Researcher Affiliations

McBrearty, K A
  • Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Murray, A
    Dunowska, M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / virology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • New Zealand / epidemiology
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
      • Respiratory Tract Diseases / virology
      • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
      • Virus Diseases / veterinary
      • Virus Diseases / virology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 11 times.
      1. Wilcox A, Barnum S, Wademan C, Corbin R, Escobar E, Hodzic E, Schumacher S, Pusterla N. Frequency of Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Clinically Healthy Show Horses Following a Multi-County Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 Myeloencephalopathy in California. Pathogens 2022 Oct 8;11(10).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens11101161pubmed: 36297218google scholar: lookup
      2. Pusterla N, James K, Barnum S, Bain F, Barnett DC, Chappell D, Gaughan E, Craig B, Schneider C, Vaala W. Frequency of Detection and Prevalence Factors Associated with Common Respiratory Pathogens in Equids with Acute Onset of Fever and/or Respiratory Signs (2008-2021). Pathogens 2022 Jul 2;11(7).
        doi: 10.3390/pathogens11070759pubmed: 35890002google scholar: lookup
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        doi: 10.3390/v14040713pubmed: 35458443google scholar: lookup
      4. Temesgen T, Getachew Y, Negussie H. Molecular Identification of Equine Herpesvirus 1, 2, and 5 in Equids with Signs of Respiratory Disease in Central Ethiopia. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:337-345.
        doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S339042pubmed: 34956854google scholar: lookup
      5. El-Hage C, Mekuria Z, Dynon K, Hartley C, McBride K, Gilkerson J. Association of Equine Herpesvirus 5 with Mild Respiratory Disease in a Survey of EHV1, -2, -4 and -5 in 407 Australian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 30;11(12).
        doi: 10.3390/ani11123418pubmed: 34944194google scholar: lookup
      6. Scheurer L, Bachofen C, Hardmeier I, Lechmann J, Schoster A. Prevalence of Nasal Shedding of Equid Gammaherpesviruses in Healthy Swiss Horses. Viruses 2021 Aug 25;13(9).
        doi: 10.3390/v13091686pubmed: 34578268google scholar: lookup
      7. Marenzoni ML, Stefanetti V, Danzetta ML, Timoney PJ. Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:91-101.
        doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S39473pubmed: 30155436google scholar: lookup
      8. Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Prevalence and sequence analysis of equid herpesviruses from the respiratory tract of Polish horses. Virol J 2018 Jul 11;15(1):106.
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      9. Houtsma A, Bedenice D, Pusterla N, Pugliese B, Mapes S, Hoffman AM, Paxson J, Rozanski E, Mukherjee J, Wigley M, Mazan MR. Association between inflammatory airway disease of horses and exposure to respiratory viruses: a case control study. Multidiscip Respir Med 2015;10:33.
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      10. Lawton K, Runk D, Hankin S, Mendonsa E, Hull D, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Detection of Selected Equine Respiratory Pathogens in Stall Samples Collected at a Multi-Week Equestrian Show during the Winter Months. Viruses 2023 Oct 11;15(10).
        doi: 10.3390/v15102078pubmed: 37896855google scholar: lookup
      11. Pusterla N, Kalscheur M, Peters D, Bidwell L, Holtz S, Barnum S, Lawton K, Morrissey M, Schumacher S. Investigation of the Frequency of Detection of Common Respiratory Pathogens in Nasal Secretions and Environment of Healthy Sport Horses Attending a Multi-Week Show Event during the Summer Months. Viruses 2023 May 24;15(6).
        doi: 10.3390/v15061225pubmed: 37376525google scholar: lookup
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