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Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire1988; 52(2); 229-235;

Agents of equine viral encephalomyelitis: correlation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies.

Abstract: A survey was conducted by testing 115 paired equine serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples by hemagglutination-inhibition for antibodies to Powassan and snowshoe hare viruses, and by virus neutralization for antibodies to equine herpesvirus type 1. Twenty-five samples were from horses with spontaneous neurological disease and the remainder from horses euthanized because of various nonneurological disorders. All sera and cerebrospinal fluids were negative for antibodies to Powassan virus. Fifty-one sera (44.3%) and 15 cerebrospinal fluids (13.0%) had antibodies to snowshoe hare virus. Ninety-eight sera (85.2%) and four cerebrospinal fluids (3.5%) were positive for antibodies to equine herpesvirus type 1. Powassan virus was inoculated intracerebrally into one, and intravenously into four ponies. Neurological signs associated with a nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis occurred in three ponies. Antibodies to Powassan virus were detected in sera of all animals but in cerebrospinal fluids of only two. Powassan virus was isolated from brain and spinal cord of only the intracerebrally inoculated animal.
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Publication Date: 1988-04-01 PubMed ID: 2836046PubMed Central: PMC1255432
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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 study investigated the presence of antibodies to certain viruses in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of 115 horses. The viruses tested for were Powassan and snowshoe hare viruses; both linked to neurological diseases, and equine herpesvirus type 1. Some horses tested showed symptoms of neurological issues while others had non-neurological conditions leading to their euthanization. None of the tested horses were found to have antibodies to Powassan virus, but antibodies to snowshoe hare virus and equine herpesvirus type 1 were found in several samples.

Research Methodology and Sample Group

  • The research encompassed 115 paired equine serum (blood) and cerebrospinal fluid samples.
  • The horses involved were divided into two groups: 25 horses that showed spontaneous neurological diseases and the others euthanized due to various non-neurological disorders.
  • These samples were tested for antibodies to Powassan and snowshoe hare viruses using a technique called hemagglutination-inhibition.
  • Antibodies to equine herpesvirus type 1 were sought using virus neutralization.

Results of the Testing

  • Results showed that none of the tested sera (blood) or cerebrospinal fluids had antibodies to the Powassan virus. This suggests that this virus was not present in the sampled horses.
  • On the other hand, antibodies to snowshoe hare virus were found in 44.3% of blood samples and 13.0% of cerebrospinal fluid samples, indicating the presence of this virus in a considerable number of horses.
  • Antibodies to equine herpesvirus type 1 were present in a significant number of samples, with 85.2% of sera and 3.5% of cerebrospinal fluids testing positive.

Inoculation Experiment

  • The study also included an experimental inoculation of Powassan virus into five ponies, one through direct brain injection and the other four through intravenous injection.
  • Three of these ponies showed neurological signs associated with nonsuppurative (not pus-forming) encephalomyelitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
  • This process confirmed that Powassan virus does cause neurological symptoms in horses.
  • Seras of all inoculated animals tested positive for Powassan virus, however, the virus was only found in the cerebrospinal fluids of two ponies.
  • The virus was, however, successfully isolated from the brain and spinal cord of the pony that was inoculated intracerebrally. This suggests that the method of virus introduction can play a role in where the virus localizes.

Overall Conclusion of the Study

  • The research highlighted a correlation of antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, with antibodies to snowshoe hare virus as well as equine herpesvirus type 1 found in many of the samples.
  • Even though Powassan virus was not present in the initial sample group, the experimental inoculation of this virus into ponies lead to neurological symptoms, confirming this virus as an agent of equine viral encephalomyelitis.

Cite This Article

APA
Keane DP, Little PB, Wilkie BN, Artsob H, Thorsen J. (1988). Agents of equine viral encephalomyelitis: correlation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies. Can J Vet Res, 52(2), 229-235.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 0830-9000
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 229-235

Researcher Affiliations

Keane, D P
  • Department of Pathology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.
Little, P B
    Wilkie, B N
      Artsob, H
        Thorsen, J

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
          • Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / immunology
          • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / cerebrospinal fluid
          • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / immunology
          • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / veterinary
          • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / blood
          • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / cerebrospinal fluid
          • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / immunology
          • Female
          • Herpesviridae / immunology
          • Herpesviridae Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
          • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
          • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
          • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / immunology
          • Horse Diseases / blood
          • Horse Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
          • Horse Diseases / immunology
          • Horses
          • Male

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 3 times.
          1. Smith K, Oesterle PT, Jardine CM, Dibernardo A, Huynh C, Lindsay R, Pearl DL, Bosco-Lauth AM, Nemeth NM. Powassan Virus and Other Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Wildlife and Ticks in Ontario, Canada. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018 Aug;99(2):458-465.
            doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0098pubmed: 29869604google scholar: lookup
          2. Yildirim Y, Yilmaz V, Kirmizigul AH. Equine herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) and 4 (EHV-4) infections in horses and donkeys in northeastern Turkey. Iran J Vet Res 2015 Fall;16(4):341-4.
            pubmed: 27175200
          3. Walker ED, Yuill TM. Snowshoe hare virus: discovery, distribution, vector and host associations, and medical significance. J Med Entomol 2023 Nov 14;60(6):1252-1261.
            doi: 10.1093/jme/tjad128pubmed: 37862052google scholar: lookup
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