Antibodies against equine herpesviruses in free-ranging mountain zebras from Namibia.
Abstract: Twenty-one blood samples of free-ranging mountain zebras (Equus zebra) from Namibia were tested for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1, -2, -3, -4) specific antibodies by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and neutralization test (NT). Additionally, type-specific nested polymerase chain reactions (nested PCR) were employed for detection of EHV-1, -2 and -4 DNA. Equine herpesvirus-1 antibodies were detected by IFA in all zebras, while only seven serum samples contained EHV-4 IFA antibodies. Sera with high IFA antibodies also were found to neutralize EHV-1 and -4. Furthermore, 20 zebras were EHV-2 seropositive by IFA, and one zebra had EHV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Equine herpesvirus-3 specific antibodies were not detected. We did not amplify EHV-1, -2 or -4 specific DNA sequences in peripheral blood leukocytes of the same zebras using type-specific nested PCR. EHV infections appear to be widespread in free-ranging zebras, as they are in domestic horses.
Publication Date: 1997-12-10 PubMed ID: 9391966DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-33.4.812Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper analyses the prevalence of equine herpesviruses in free-ranging mountain zebras in Namibia. The study found that these viruses are commonly found in these zebras, similar to the trend observed in domestic horses.
Methodology
- For the purposes of the research, 21 blood samples were collected from free-ranging mountain zebras in Namibia.
- The serum from these samples was tested for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1, -2, -3, -4) specific antibodies. This was done using a process known as the immunofluorescence assay (IFA).
- The neutralization test (NT) was also employed to identify presence of these antibodies.
- Additionally, to detect the DNA of EHV-1, -2, and -4, the researchers used type-specific nested polymerase chain reactions (nested PCR).
Findings
- The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) displayed that all zebras had equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) antibodies. However, only seven serum samples contained EHV-4 IFA antibodies.
- The sera from zebras had neutralizing effects against EHV-1 and EHV-4 viruses, revealing the zebras immunity against these viruses.
- Twenty out of twenty-one zebras were shown to be EHV-2 seropositive by the IFA. Only one zebra had EHV-2 neutralizing antibodies.
- The study found no presence of EHV-3 specific antibodies.
- The nested PCR analysis did not amplify EHV-1, -2, or -4 specific DNA sequences in the peripheral blood leukocytes of the same zebras.
Conclusion
- Based on the findings, the study concludes that equine herpesvirus infections are widespread among free-ranging zebras in Namibia.
- This mirrors the situation among domestic horses implying a common presence of this virus among equine species.
Cite This Article
APA
Borchers K, Frölich K.
(1997).
Antibodies against equine herpesviruses in free-ranging mountain zebras from Namibia.
J Wildl Dis, 33(4), 812-817.
https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-33.4.812 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- DNA, Viral / blood
- Equidae
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Leukocytes / virology
- Male
- Namibia / epidemiology
- Neutralization Tests / veterinary
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Varicellovirus / genetics
- Varicellovirus / immunology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Carvelli A, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Baldinelli F, Van der Stede Y. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infection with Equine Herpesvirus-1.. EFSA J 2022 Jan;20(1):e07036.
- Cohen JM, Sauer EL, Santiago O, Spencer S, Rohr JR. Divergent impacts of warming weather on wildlife disease risk across climates.. Science 2020 Nov 20;370(6519).
- Abdelgawad A, Damiani A, Ho SY, Strauss G, Szentiks CA, East ML, Osterrieder N, Greenwood AD. Zebra Alphaherpesviruses (EHV-1 and EHV-9): Genetic Diversity, Latency and Co-Infections.. Viruses 2016 Sep 20;8(9).
- Ehlers B, Borchers K, Grund C, Frölich K, Ludwig H, Buhk HJ. Detection of new DNA polymerase genes of known and potentially novel herpesviruses by PCR with degenerate and deoxyinosine-substituted primers.. Virus Genes 1999;18(3):211-20.
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