Clinical Prevalence of Equine Coital Exanthema in a Thoroughbred Covering Station in Türkiye (2021-2024).
Abstract: Equine Coital Exanthema (ECE) is an endemic herpesvirus disease primarily affecting the external genitalia and impairing mating activities in horses. Its extremely contagious nature, latency and subclinical features can result in outbreaks and significant economic losses. Transmission occurs primarily through mating activities; therefore, robust biosecurity measures are crucial in breeding facilities. This study aims to determine the clinical prevalence of ECE among horses in a covering station in Türkiye from 2021 to 2024. It also aims to assess the efficacy of routine PCR implementation within ECE's control strategies. A cross-sectional study design has been employed. Genital swab samples were collected from clinically suspected horses, which were tested for EHV-3 using real-time PCR. Animal records, clinical examination data and PCR test results were obtained from horses at the covering station between 2021 and 2024. During the 4 years (2021-2024), 9231 mating activities were carried out, and a total of 228 clinically suspected horses were tested for EHV-3 using real-time PCR. Among these 228 horses, 6 horses (2.6%) were confirmed positive for EHV-3. The primary weakness of this study is the failure to detect subclinical cases with PCR. The absence of follow-up PCR testing in two clinically infected horses represents a limitation of this study. The molecular diagnosis of ECE was reported for the first time in Türkiye. Clinical ECE cases infrequently transpired over the four-year period at the covering station. No outbreak transpired during this interval. PCR testing plays a crucial role in disease control when implemented with suitable management methods. Additional global epidemiological investigations on ECE are required.
© 2025 The Author(s). Reproduction in Domestic Animals published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.
Publication Date: 2025-06-09 PubMed ID: 40485269PubMed Central: PMC12146816DOI: 10.1111/rda.70086Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research explores the occurrence of Equine Coital Exanthema (ECE), a genital-targeting herpes virus in horses, in a Thoroughbred breeding facility in Türkiye from 2021 to 2024, assessing the use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests in managing the disease.
Overview of Research
- The research focuses primarily on the disease Equine Coital Exanthema (ECE), a herpes virus that affects horses. This virus directly affects the reproductive abilities of the animal due to its tendency to target the external genitalia.
- The virus is a significant concern for horse breeders not just due to its effects, but also due to its highly contagious nature and latency. Its ability to propagate swiftly can lead to outbreaks resulting in considerable economical losses.
- Transmission of ECE mostly occurs through mating, thus requiring stringent biological safety measures within breeding facilities.
Aims of the Study
- The primary purpose of this study was to determine the clinical prevalence of ECE in a Thoroughbred covering station in Türkiye within a period of three years (2021 to 2024).
- This study also aimed to ascertain the effectiveness of regular PCR testing within potential strategies for controlling ECE.
Research Methodology
- The study adopted a cross-sectional design and involved the collection of genital swab samples from horses that exhibited clinical suspicion of having ECE.
- These samples were then tested for the presence of EHV-3 using a real-time PCR.
- Animal records, clinical examination data, and PCR test results were gathered from horses at the covering station for the designated period.
Key Findings
- A total of 9231 mating activities were carried out during these four years. Of those, 228 horses exhibited symptoms that warranted testing for EHV-3.
- Only 6 of these 228 horses, amounting to 2.6% of the sampled pool, tested positive for EHV-3.
- The study did not record any outbreak of ECE during the period under study, suggesting that PCR testing is vital for disease control when implemented with appropriate management.
Limitations and Future Research
- This study’s predominant weakness lay in its inability to detect subclinical cases using the PCR approach. Subclinical infections are those where an infected individual does not show obvious signs and symptoms.
- A further limitation was the absence of follow-up PCR testing in two clinically infected horses.
- The researchers recommend more global investigations into the prevalence and management of ECE, acknowledging that this study represents the first molecular diagnosis of ECE in Türkiye.
Cite This Article
APA
Atay YE, Ekinci G, Öztürk AE, Timur MC, Mete A, Altınbay K, Derelli FM, Akar Y, Keleş İ.
(2025).
Clinical Prevalence of Equine Coital Exanthema in a Thoroughbred Covering Station in Türkiye (2021-2024).
Reprod Domest Anim, 60(6), e70086.
https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.70086 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Equine Health and Veterinary Services, Head Office, Jockey Club of Türkiye, İstanbul, Türkiye.
- Jockey Club of Türkiye, İstanbul Equine Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye.
- Equine Health and Veterinary Services, Head Office, Jockey Club of Türkiye, İstanbul, Türkiye.
- Jockey Club of Türkiye, Izmit Central Covering Station, Kocaeli, Türkiye.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Prevalence
- Female
- Male
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Exanthema / veterinary
- Exanthema / epidemiology
- Exanthema / virology
- Herpesvirus 3, Equid / isolation & purification
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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