Detection of equid herpesviruses 2 and 5 in a herd of 266 Lipizzaners in association with ocular findings.
Abstract: A herd of Lipizzaners (n=266) in three locations [Federal stud Piber (Styria), Heldenberg (Lower Austria) and the Spanish Riding School Vienna (Vienna)] were examined for ocular diseases and tested for herpesviruses (HVs) in PBMCs, nasal- and conjunctival swabs. In 167 (62.8%) horses equid herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) nucleic acid was identified in at least one of the investigated samples, and 136 (51.1%) horses were positive for equid herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) nucleic acid in at least one of the samples. One hundred and five (39.5%) of the horses mentioned above were identified with EHV-2/EHV-5 double infections. The results were correlated with potential influence factors such as age, gender, location, and housing. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of horses diagnosed with HV infections stabled in one location (Piber); also, housing in free stalls was associated with a higher rate of HV infections. Horses carrying EHV-2 or EHV-5 nucleic acid were significantly younger than the negative group. Statistical analysis of PCR results and ophthalmic findings did not prove a significant association between any disease pattern and presence of the equid gammaherpesviruses EHV-2 and EHV-5. The results of this herd survey indicate that horses younger than eight years of age, housed in free stalls with high population densities have a significantly increased risk for infection with EHV-2 and EHV-5. However no prediction can be made whether this results in ophthalmic disease. This is the first ophthalmic-virologic survey of this magnitude in a single horse breed.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-02-04 PubMed ID: 23434188DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.01.035Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study involves examining a group of Lipizzaner horses for ocular diseases and testing for the presence of two types of herpesviruses. The findings reveal a higher percentage of horses with herpesvirus infections in certain conditions and locations, and particularly among younger horses. Though the viruses were detected, no significant link to any disease pattern was established.
Research Overview and Goals
- The study aimed to examine a herd of 266 Lipizzaner horses spread across three different locations (Federal stud Piber, Heldenberg, and Spanish Riding School Vienna) for eye-related diseases. The study also aimed to test these horses for the presence of two types of herpesviruses in the blood, nasal, and eye regions of the horses.
Key Findings
- Among the entire group, 62.8% horses had the equid herpesvirus-2 (EHV-2) in at least one of the tested samples, while 51.1% horses had the equid herpesvirus-5 (EHV-5) in at least one sample. Additionally, 39.5% of the horses were identified with double infections of both EHV-2 and EHV-5.
- The rates of infection were significantly higher in horses housed in one location (Piber) and those kept in free stalls.
- Younger horses were found to have a higher likelihood of carrying these viruses compared to the older ones in the group.
- Despite the high occurrence of the viruses, there was no definitive evidence linking the presence of these viruses with any specific disease patterns in the horses.
Implication and Significance
- The findings indicate that horses younger than eight years of age that are housed in crowded free stalls are much more at risk for EHV-2 and EHV-5 infections. Despite the high occurrence of viruses, it’s clear that having these viruses doesn’t necessarily mean a horse will develop ophthalmic disease.
- This study is novel as it’s the first of its kind to carry out a detailed investigation of eye diseases and virology on a single horse breed of such size.
Cite This Article
APA
Rushton JO, Kolodziejek J, Tichy A, Nell B, Nowotny N.
(2013).
Detection of equid herpesviruses 2 and 5 in a herd of 266 Lipizzaners in association with ocular findings.
Vet Microbiol, 164(1-2), 139-144.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.01.035 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Surgery, Dentistry and Ophthalmology, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Austria / epidemiology
- Coinfection / epidemiology
- Coinfection / veterinary
- Coinfection / virology
- Eye Diseases / pathology
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Eye Diseases / virology
- Female
- Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Male
- Rhadinovirus / genetics
- Rhadinovirus / isolation & purification
- Sex Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Miglinci L, Reicher P, Nell B, Koch M, Jindra C, Brandt S. Detection of Equine Papillomaviruses and Gamma-Herpesviruses in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pathogens 2023 Jan 23;12(2).
- Badr C, Souiai O, Arbi M, El Behi I, Essaied MS, Khosrof I, Benkahla A, Chabchoub A, Ghram A. Epidemiological and Phylogeographic Study of Equid Herpesviruses in Tunisia. Pathogens 2022 Sep 5;11(9).
- Wondimagegnehu K, Leta S, Amenu K, Negussie H. Molecular detection and assessment of the epidemiological risk factors associated with equine herpesvirus 2 and 5 in working equids in central Ethiopia. Vet Med Sci 2022 Nov;8(6):2396-2403.
- Temesgen T, Getachew Y, Negussie H. Molecular Identification of Equine Herpesvirus 1, 2, and 5 in Equids with Signs of Respiratory Disease in Central Ethiopia. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:337-345.
- Thorsteinsdóttir L, Jónsdóttir S, Stefánsdóttir SB, Andrésdóttir V, Wagner B, Marti E, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V. The effect of maternal immunity on the equine gammaherpesvirus type 2 and 5 viral load and antibody response. PLoS One 2019;14(6):e0218576.
- Van Cleemput J, Poelaert KCK, Laval K, Nauwynck HJ. Unravelling the first key steps in equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV5) pathogenesis using ex vivo and in vitro equine models. Vet Res 2019 Feb 18;50(1):13.
- Marenzoni ML, Stefanetti V, Danzetta ML, Timoney PJ. Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:91-101.
- Smith FL, Watson JL, Spier SJ, Kilcoyne I, Mapes S, Sonder C, Pusterla N. Frequency of shedding of respiratory pathogens in horses recently imported to the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jul;32(4):1436-1441.
- Rushton JO, Kolodziejek J, Tichy A, Nowotny N, Nell B. Clinical course of ophthalmic findings and potential influence factors of herpesvirus infections: 18 month follow-up of a closed herd of lipizzaners. PLoS One 2013;8(11):e79888.
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