[Current virus diseases in horses. Diseases in foals and respiratory tract infections].

This research discusses two prevalent viral disease complexes in horses, specifically in foals and those affecting the respiratory tract. The diseases are challenging to manage both in prevention and treatment, with consequences increasing in significance. Infections in foals occur during various stages and are often tied to seemingly healthy mares or common “problem-viruses.” In terms of respiratory infections, several viruses are identified as primary agents.

Disease Complexes in Horses

The paper looks at two broad disease complexes currently causing problems in equine health. These complexes are:

• Virus infections in foals
• Primary viral respiratory diseases

These infections pose significant challenges in both treatment and in preventative measures (prophylaxis). Their impact on equine health is growing, making them of increasing importance to study and understand.

Foal Infections

First, foals can get infected at several stages:

• During embryonic development or fetal stage
• Around the time of birth (perinatal period)
• After birth (postnatal period)

These infections are usually caused by mares that are clinically healthy but latently infected, or by common, ordinarily opportunistic “problem-viruses” in the postnatal period.

Problem-Viruses in Foals

The common “problem-viruses” that typically infect foals in the postnatal period include:

• Equine herpes-viruses 1 and 2
• Rota-viruses
• Corona-viruses
• Adenoviruses

Respiratory Tract Infections

The primary viruses responsible for respiratory diseases in horses include:

• Rhinopneumonitis virus
• Influenza-A-virus
• Reoviruses
• Rhinoviruses
• Arteritis virus

The proliferation of these viruses among horses constitutes a notable challenge in the field of equine health. Eradicating these viruses or managing their effects is a key priority.