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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2023; 12(11); doi: 10.3390/pathogens12111324

Characterization of Equine Rhinitis B Virus Infection in Clinically Ill Horses in the United States during the Period 2012-2023.

Abstract: Equine rhinitis B virus is a lesser-known equine respiratory pathogen that is being detected with increasing frequency via a voluntary upper respiratory biosurveillance program in the United States. This program received 8684 nasal swab submissions during the years 2012-2023. The nasal swabs were submitted for qPCR testing for six common upper respiratory pathogens: Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi), equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV). The overall ERBV qPCR-positivity rate was 5.08% (441/8684). ERBV was detected as a single pathogen in 291 cases (65.99% of positives, 291/441) and was detected as a coinfection with at least one other respiratory pathogen in 150 cases (34.01%, 150/441). Young horses, less than a year of age, with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs and horses used for competition are more likely to test qPCR-positive for ERBV. Horses with ERBV may present with fever, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, and/or cough. Coinfection is a common feature of ERBV infection and S. equi, EHV-4 and EIV were the most common pathogens coinfected with ERBV. This report provides important information regarding the clinical relevance of ERBV in the horse and begins investigating the impact of coinfection on clinical disease.
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Publication Date: 2023-11-07 PubMed ID: 38003789PubMed Central: PMC10674924DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111324Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research highlights the increasing detection of equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), a lesser-known equine respiratory pathogen, in horses in the United States. The study reveals details about ERBV infection characteristics, presenting clinical signs, and the high rate of occurrence of coinfection with other respiratory pathogens.

Study Overview and Methodology

  • The study is based on the data collected during a voluntary upper respiratory biosurveillance program run in the United States from 2012-2023. The program received 8684 nasal swab submissions to be tested for six common upper respiratory pathogens.
  • The nasal swabs were sent for qPCR testing for commonly found pathogens including equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV), subspecies, and ERBV.

Findings and Results

  • The overall ERBV qPCR-positivity rate from these tests was found to be 5.08% (with 441 out of 8684 swabs testing positive).
  • Out of the positive cases, ERBV was detected as the only pathogen in 291 cases (66%), and was found as a coinfection with at least one other respiratory pathogen in 150 cases (34%).
  • The study found that young horses below a year of age, with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs and those used for competition were more likely to test qPCR-positive for ERBV.

ERBV Clinical Symptoms and Coinfection

  • Horses infected with ERBV may present with fever, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, and/or cough. These symptoms are also typical of other equine respiratory diseases.
  • Coinfection, i.e. simultaneous infection with ERBV and at least one other pathogen, was found to be common. The most common pathogens coinfected with ERBV were identified as , EHV-4, and EIV.
  • The study thus underlines the clinical relevance of ERBV in horses and indicates the potential impact of coinfection on the clinical disease.

Significance of the Research

  • This research brings to light the increasing detection of ERBV infections in horses in the United States and garners attention towards this lesser-known respiratory pathogen.
  • The findings provide valuable knowledge about the clinical symptoms, pathogens commonly coinfected with ERBV, and the likely groups of horses more susceptible to ERBV infection.
  • The information serves as an important resource for equine health care providers to discern ERBV infections and suggests that coinfection rates should factor into the diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Cite This Article

APA
Schneider C, James K, Craig BW, Chappell DE, Vaala W, van Harreveld PD, Wright CA, Barnum S, Pusterla N. (2023). Characterization of Equine Rhinitis B Virus Infection in Clinically Ill Horses in the United States during the Period 2012-2023. Pathogens, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12111324

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Schneider, Chrissie
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
James, Kaitlyn
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
Craig, Bryant W
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
Chappell, Duane E
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
Vaala, Wendy
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
van Harreveld, Philip D
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
Wright, Cara A
  • Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
Barnum, Samantha
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Pusterla, Nicola
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Grant Funding

  • N/A / Merck Animal Health

Conflict of Interest Statement

K.J., S.B. and N.P. declare no conflict of interest. C.S., B.W.C., D.E.C., W.V., P.D.v.H. and C.A.W. worked for Merck Animal Health at the time this data were collected.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. James K, Chappell DE, Craig B, Pariseau C, Wright C, van Harreveld P, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Investigation of Selected Prevalence Factors Associated with EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 Infection in Horses with Acute Onset of Fever and Respiratory Signs. Viruses 2025 Apr 25;17(5).
    doi: 10.3390/v17050612pubmed: 40431624google scholar: lookup
  2. Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Prevalence and Sequence Analysis of Equine Rhinitis Viruses among Horses in Poland. Viruses 2024 Jul 26;16(8).
    doi: 10.3390/v16081204pubmed: 39205178google scholar: lookup
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