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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA in unweaned Thoroughbred fo...
Equine veterinary journal2004; 36(4); 341-345; doi: 10.2746/0425164044890634

Detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA in unweaned Thoroughbred foals from vaccinated mares on a large stud farm.

Abstract: A silent cycle of equine herpesvirus 1 infection has been described following epidemiological studies in unvaccinated mares and foals. In 1997, an inactivated whole virus EHV-1 and EHV-4 vaccine was released commercially in Australia and used on many stud farms. However, it was not known what effect vaccination might have on the cycle of infection of EHV-1. Objective: To investigate whether EHV-1 and EHV-4 could be detected in young foals from vaccinated mares. Methods: Nasal and blood samples were tested by PCR and ELISA after collection from 237 unvaccinated, unweaned foals and vaccinated and nonvaccinated mares during the breeding season of 2000. Results: EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA was detected in nasal swab samples from foals as young as age 11 days. Conclusions: These results confirm that EHV-1 and EHV-4 circulate in vaccinated populations of mares and their unweaned, unvaccinated foals. Conclusions: The evidence that the cycle of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection is continuing and that very young foals are becoming infected should assist stud farms in their management of the threat posed by these viruses.
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Publication Date: 2004-05-28 PubMed ID: 15163042DOI: 10.2746/0425164044890634Google 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.

This research article investigates if equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 can be detected in foals from vaccinated mares. Thorough investigation confirmed that EHV-1 and EHV-4 could be found in vaccinated populations and their young, unvaccinated foals, which aids in managing the threat posed by these viruses.

Objective and Purpose of the Research

  • The article was centered on a study aimed to examine the presence of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) in unweaned foals that were born to vaccinated mares.
  • The research aimed to understand the effect of vaccination on the infection cycle of EHV-1, as its influence was unknown despite the widespread usage of a commercial EHV-1 and EHV-4 vaccine introduced in Australia in 1997.

Methods Used in the Study

  • During the breeding season of 2000, the investigators selected 237 unvaccinated, unweaned foals along with vaccinated and nonvaccinated mares for the study.
  • Nasal and blood samples obtained from these horses were subsequently analyzed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Findings of the Study

  • The examination of the nasal swab samples revealed the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA in foals as young as 11 days old.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study affirmed that EHV-1 and EHV-4 viruses do circulate among vaccinated mares and their unvaccinated, unweaned foals.
  • This evidence is significant as it establishes that the infection cycle of EHV-1 and EHV-4 is persisting and reaching very young foals.
  • Such revelation can aid stud farms in devising more efficient management strategies to tackle the threat posed by the EHV-1 and EHV-4 viruses.

Cite This Article

APA
Foote CE, Love DN, Gilkerson JR, Whalley JM. (2004). Detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA in unweaned Thoroughbred foals from vaccinated mares on a large stud farm. Equine Vet J, 36(4), 341-345. https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044890634

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 4
Pages: 341-345

Researcher Affiliations

Foote, C E
  • Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia.
Love, D N
    Gilkerson, J R
      Whalley, J M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Animals, Suckling
        • Antibodies, Viral / blood
        • Australia / epidemiology
        • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
        • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
        • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
        • Female
        • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
        • Herpesviridae Infections / transmission
        • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
        • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
        • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / immunology
        • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
        • Herpesvirus 4, Equid / genetics
        • Herpesvirus 4, Equid / immunology
        • Herpesvirus 4, Equid / isolation & purification
        • Herpesvirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
        • Herpesvirus Vaccines / immunology
        • Horse Diseases / blood
        • Horse Diseases / immunology
        • Horse Diseases / transmission
        • Horses
        • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary
        • Male
        • Nasal Mucosa / virology
        • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
        • Seroepidemiologic Studies
        • Vaccines, Inactivated / administration & dosage
        • Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology

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