Active equine parvovirus-hepatitis infection is most frequently detected in Austrian horses of advanced age.
Abstract: Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) research is in its infancy. Information regarding prevalence, geographical distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis and risk factors enhances understanding of this potentially fatal infection. Objective: Determining the prevalence of EqPV-H in Austrian equids. Investigating factors increasing probability of infection, liver-associated biochemistry parameters, concurrent equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection and phylogenetic analysis of Austrian EqPV-H variants. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Sera from 259 horses and 13 donkeys in Austria were analysed for anti-EqPV-H VP1-specific antibodies by luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and EqPV-H DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between infection status, sex and age were described. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bile acids and albumin concentrations were compared between horses with active infection and PCR-negative horses. PCR targeting partial EqPV-H NS1 was performed and phylogenetic analysis of Austrian EqPV-H variants was conducted. Complete coding sequences (CDS) of four Austrian variants were determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and compared with published sequences. Results: Horses' EqPV-H seroprevalence was 30.1% and DNA prevalence was 8.9%. One horse was co-infected with EqHV. Significantly, higher probability of active EqPV-H infection was identified in 16- to 31-year-old horses, compared with 1- to 8-year-old horses (P = 0.002; OR = 8.19; 95% CI = 1.79 to 37.50) and 9- to 15-year-old horses (P = 0.03; OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.08 to 8.17). Liver-associated plasma parameters were not significantly different between horses with active infection and controls. Austrian EqPV-H variants revealed high similarity to sequences worldwide. No evidence of EqPV-H was detected in donkeys. Conclusions: Equids' inclusion depended upon owner consent. There was only one sampling point per animal and the sample of donkeys was small. Conclusions: EqPV-H antibodies and DNA are frequently detected in Austrian horses, without associated hepatitis in horses with active infection. The risk of active EqPV-H infection increases with increasing age. Phylogenetic evidence supports close relation of EqPV-H variants globally, including Austrian variants.
© 2021 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2021-03-28 PubMed ID: 33704819PubMed Central: PMC9292856DOI: 10.1111/evj.13444Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This is a research that investigates the prevalence of equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H), a potentially fatal infection, in Austrian horses and donkeys, while also analyzing risk factors and associated liver biochemistry parameters.
Overview
This study provides detailed insights into the prevalence of the EqPV-H virus in Austrian equines, specifically horses and donkeys. It also examines factors that influence the probability of infection. The study further considers concurrent equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection and analyses the genetic diversity of EqPV-H variants in Austria.
Methodology
- Sera from 259 horses and 13 donkeys in Austria were tested for the presence of anti-EqPV-H VP1-specific antibodies using luminescence-based techniques (LIPS method) and for the DNA of the EqPV-H virus via nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- The study evaluated associations between infection status and factors like sex and age.
- Liver-associated biochemistry parameters, namely Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bile acids and albumin concentrations, were compared between horses with active virus infection and those that tested negative for the virus.
- A phylogenetic analysis was conducted on EqPV-H variants through partial NS1 targeting PCR, while the full coding sequences (CDS) of four Austrian variants were sequenced and compared using next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Results
- The study found a 30.1% seroprevalence and 8.9% DNA prevalence of the EqPV-H virus in tested horses.
- One case of co-infection with EqHV was identified.
- It was found that the odds of active EqPV-H infection were higher in older horses (16-31 years old) compared to younger ones (1-8 years old and 9-15 years old).
- The tested liver-associated parameters showed no difference between infected and uninfected horses.
- The Austrian EqPV-H variants were found to correspond closely with sequences from around the globe.
- No donkeys tested positive for the EqPV-H virus.
Conclusions
- This study suggests that EqPV-H virus antibodies and its DNA can often be found in Austrian horses, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms of hepatitis.
- The risk of active EqPV-H infection increases with the age of the horse.
- The study also reveals a close global relationship amongst the EqPV-H variants.
Cite This Article
APA
Badenhorst M, de Heus P, Auer A, Tegtmeyer B, Stang A, Dimmel K, Tichy A, Kubacki J, Bachofen C, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JMV.
(2021).
Active equine parvovirus-hepatitis infection is most frequently detected in Austrian horses of advanced age.
Equine Vet J, 54(2), 379-389.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13444 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Medical School Hannover (MHH) - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- VetSuisse Faculty, Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- VetSuisse Faculty, Institute of Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Clinic - Internal Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Austria / epidemiology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Equidae
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Parvoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Parvovirus / genetics
- Phylogeny
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
Conflict of Interest Statement
No competing interests have been declared.
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