Chronic equine hepacivirus infection in an adult gelding with severe hepatopathy.

This research examines a case of chronic equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection in a horse, showing signs of severe liver disease. The study explores how EqHV, which closely mirrors the human hepatitis C virus, can possibly be connected with chronic liver diseases in horses.

Equine Hepacivirus and its Similarity to Hepatitis C

• Equine hepacivirus (EqHV), which infects equids (family of horses, donkeys, and zebras), is the closest known homologue to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) which affects humans.
• Just like how chronic HCV infection can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure in humans, the study suggests that EqHV can potentially have similar effects in horses.

Case Presentation and Investigation

• The observed horse showed symptoms of severe hepatopathy, a term referring to diseases of the liver, and was found to be chronically infected with EqHV.
• Research tools including the measurement of biochemical parameters in serum samples, determining viral load using qPCR, next generation sequencing (NGS) of serum, and testing of liver tissue were used to understand the infection better.
• Notably, the virus sequence identified was similar to other circulating equine hepaciviruses, suggesting a broader relevance to the study’s findings.
• Next generation sequencing helped rule out the presence of other infectious agents, strengthening the focus on EqHV as a likely contributor to the liver disease.

Association of EqHV with Liver Disease

• The findings indicate that EqHV can be potentially associated with chronic liver diseases in horses.
• Further, viral RNA from EqHV was detectable in the liver during the observed disease stage, supporting its plausible role in causing or contributing to the liver disease.
• However, the study notes that whether EqHV alone causes the disease or contributes in a multifactorial manner remains to be fully understood and requires more research.