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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res / Acute and chronic infections with nonprimate hepacivirus in ...
Veterinary research2016; 47(1); 97; doi: 10.1186/s13567-016-0381-6

Acute and chronic infections with nonprimate hepacivirus in young horses.

Abstract: The recently discovered nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) naturally infects horses and is the closest known homolog of hepatitis C virus to date. Within a follow-up study acute field infections were monitored in four young Thoroughbred horses until the ages of 12-13 months. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of NPHV RNA and anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies and liver specific parameters were evaluated. The four young horses were not able to clear infection, but remained chronically infected for the entire monitored time period despite the presence of NPHV specific antibodies.
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Publication Date: 2016-09-22 PubMed ID: 27659317PubMed Central: PMC5034468DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0381-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates infections from the nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) in young horses, identifying chronic inability to clear the infection despite developing specific antibodies.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

  • The study aimed to understand the progression and impact of acute and chronic infections with nonprimate hepacivirus (NPHV) in young horses, specifically Thoroughbreds.
  • The research was conducted as a follow-up study where four horses were monitored from their young age until they reached 12 to 13 months.
  • The methodology involved analyzing serum samples from the horses for the presence of NPHV RNA and anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies, and evaluating liver-specific parameters.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The research found that all four young Thoroughbreds that were infected with NPHV were unable to effectively clear the infection.
  • This chronic infection was found to persist for the entire duration that the animals were monitored.
  • Interestingly, this inability to clear the infection occurred despite the horses developing specific antibodies against NPHV. This suggests that the horses’ immune responses, though reacting to the infection and producing antibodies, were ineffective in eradicating the virus.
  • The identification of these persistent infections despite antibody response is a significant finding as it enhances our understanding of how NPHV behaves and impacts its host, in this case Thoroughbred horses. This understanding could prove essential for the development of potential treatments or preventive measures in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Gather T, Walter S, Pfaender S, Todt D, Feige K, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JM. (2016). Acute and chronic infections with nonprimate hepacivirus in young horses. Vet Res, 47(1), 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13567-016-0381-6

Publication

Veterinary research
ISSN: 1297-9716
NlmUniqueID: 9309551
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Pages: 97
PII: 97

Researcher Affiliations

Gather, Theresa
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
Walter, Stephanie
  • Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Pfaender, Stephanie
  • Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Todt, Daniel
  • Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Feige, Karsten
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
Steinmann, Eike
  • Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625, Hannover, Germany. Eike.Steinmann@twincore.de.
Cavalleri, Jessika M V
  • Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Jessika.Cavalleri@tiho-hannover.de.

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Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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