Application of a chemically inactivated, adjuvanted vaccine to control abortigenic infection of mares by equine herpesvirus I.

This research paper investigates the efficacy and safety of a chemically inactivated vaccine prepared from Equine herpesvirus I (EHV-I) in preventing abortions in pregnant Thoroughbred mares during a five-year field trial. The study showed a lower incidence of EHV-I induced abortions in vaccinated mares compared with the rest of the population.

Methodology

The research tested a chemically inactivated, adjuvanted vaccine prepared from a virulent strain of EHV-I.

• The vaccine was administered to pregnant Thoroughbred broodmares for a period of five years.
• Each mare in the vaccine group received three intramuscular injections of the vaccine, beginning immediately prior to and during the latter half of their pregnancies.
• The injections were given at approximately 60-day intervals.

Findings

The results were promising, indicating the vaccine’s potential in reducing the incidence of EHV-I-induced abortions.

• The accumulated incidence of EHV-I abortions in the vaccinated mares during the trial period was significantly lower at 1.6 per 1000 compared to an incidence of 6.8 per 1000 in the non-vaccinated population.

Conclusion

Overall, the research suggests that the chemically inactivated vaccine prepared from EHV-I is effective in reducing the incidence of EHV-I induced abortions in Thoroughbred pregnant mares. The five-year field trial confirmed the vaccine’s safety and demonstrated its potential in preventing the spread of this abortigenic infection. This provides a significant breakthrough for the equine breeding industry as EHV-I-induced abortions represent a major economical loss. Further research could be warranted to investigate long-term safety and efficacy in diverse equine populations.