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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Clinical course of ophthalmic findings and potential influen...
PloS one2013; 8(11); e79888; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079888

Clinical course of ophthalmic findings and potential influence factors of herpesvirus infections: 18 month follow-up of a closed herd of lipizzaners.

Abstract: To date the influence of herpesviruses on the development of equine ocular diseases has not been clearly determined. Objective: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the course of equine ocular findings over a period of 18 months at 6 month intervals, in correlation with the results of herpesvirus detection. Methods: 266 Lipizzaners in 3 federal states of Austria underwent complete ophthalmologic examination 4 times. Blood samples, nasal- and conjunctival swabs were obtained at the same time and used for the detection of the equid gammaherpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5 using consensus herpesvirus PCR and type-specific qPCRs. Ophthalmic findings and results of herpesvirus PCRs were recorded and statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the influence of herpesvirus infections and other contributing factors on the presence of ophthalmic findings. Results: In the first, second, third and fourth examination period 266, 261, 249 and 230 horses were included, respectively. Ophthalmic findings consistent with herpesvirus infections included conjunctival- and corneal pathologies. Statistical analysis revealed that the probability of positive herpesvirus PCR results decreased with progressing age; however the presence of corneal findings increased over time. At the time of each examination 45.1%, 41.8%, 43.0%, and 57.0% of horses with conjunctival or corneal findings, respectively, were positive for EHV-2 and/or EHV-5. However, 31.6%, 17.6%, 20.1%, and 13.0% of clinically sound horses were positive for these herpesviruses at each examination period, too. Conclusions: Based on the results of our study there is a significant influence of young age on EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 infection. Corneal pathologies increased over time and with progressing age. Whether the identified findings were caused by herpesviruses could not be unequivocally determined.
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Publication Date: 2013-11-20 PubMed ID: 24278206PubMed Central: PMC3835803DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079888Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research paper is primarily about the study of herpesviruses’ effects on equine ocular diseases, conducted over an 18-month period involving 266 Lipizzaner horses. The research aims to identify and quantify correlations between ophthalmic findings and herpesvirus detection results.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved 266 Lipizzaners from three different federal states of Austria. This herd underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination four times over the period of the study.
  • During these examinations, researchers also took blood samples, along with nasal and conjunctival swabs. They later utilized these samples to detect the presence of equid gammaherpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5 by employing consensus herpesvirus PCR and type-specific qPCRs.
  • Data related to both ocular findings and herpesvirus PCR results was systematically gathered, documented, and subsequently statistically analyzed. The chosen statistical methods for analysis in this study were one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and multiple logistic regression analysis.

Research Findings

  • The study sample size fluctuated over each phase of examination due to multiple unidentified factors, with 266, 261, 249, and 230 horses participating at each respective phase.
  • Observed ocular findings that theoretically agreed with symptoms of herpesvirus infections incorporated diverse conjunctival and corneal abnormalities.
  • Through statistical analysis, researchers inferred that the likelihood of having positive herpesvirus PCR results diminishes as the horse gets older. Conversely, the occurrence of corneal abnormalities increased over time.
  • At different periods of the examination, a significant proportion of horses with ophthalmic findings tested positive for EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 viruses. However, a smaller yet considerable number of seemingly healthy horses also tested positive for these viruses.

Conclusions

  • Given the data and evidence acquired from the study, researchers concluded that a horse’s young age has a significant impact on the possibility of EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 infection. It was also noted that corneal pathologies typically increased as horses got older.
  • However, due to the complexity and overlapping nature of equine ocular diseases, researchers were unable to unequivocally affirm that the observed ophthalmic findings were exclusively due to herpesviruses.

Cite This Article

APA
Rushton JO, Kolodziejek J, Tichy A, Nowotny N, Nell B. (2013). Clinical course of ophthalmic findings and potential influence factors of herpesvirus infections: 18 month follow-up of a closed herd of lipizzaners. PLoS One, 8(11), e79888. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079888

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 11
Pages: e79888
PII: e79888

Researcher Affiliations

Rushton, James O
  • Clinic for Surgery, Dentistry and Ophthalmology, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria ; Viral Zoonoses, Emerging and Vector-Borne Infections Group, Institute of Virology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Kolodziejek, Jolanta
    Tichy, Alexander
      Nowotny, Norbert
        Nell, Barbara

          MeSH Terms

          • Analysis of Variance
          • Animals
          • Austria
          • Base Sequence
          • DNA Primers
          • Follow-Up Studies
          • Herpesviridae Infections / physiopathology
          • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
          • Horse Diseases / virology
          • Horses
          • Keratitis, Herpetic / physiopathology
          • Keratitis, Herpetic / veterinary
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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          Citations

          This article has been cited 1 times.
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