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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Microbiol / Detection of equine herpesviruses in aborted foetuses by con...
Veterinary microbiology2007; 126(1-3); 20-29; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.06.019

Detection of equine herpesviruses in aborted foetuses by consensus PCR.

Abstract: The major role of EHV-1 in equine abortion is widely reported in the literature but the contribution of EHV-2, EHV-3, EHV-4 or EHV-5 remains less well documented. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of these five different EHVs to equine abortion in a variety of biological tissues using a consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The test was validated for specificity and sensitivity in horses before screening specimens from 407 foetuses, stillbirths and premature foals collected over a 2.5-year interval. Positive results obtained with this assay were compared to other EHV type-specific PCR or by sequencing. EHV-1 was identified as the major cause of abortion in French mares (59/407 cases). However, there was evidence to suggest some variation in the potential of EHV-1 strains to induce abortion. Indeed, DNA samples from EHV-2 (in three cases) and EHV-5 (in one case) inferred a role of these viruses in abortion. The presence of viral DNA from EHV-3 or EHV-4 strains was not detected in the specimens studied. The data obtained suggest that the consensus herpesvirus PCR is an efficient screening tool. In association with a specific PCR, the test provides a rapid identification of the type of herpesvirus involved in abortion and is useful for routine diagnostic tests as it allows the identification of herpesviruses other than the EHV-1 strain.
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Publication Date: 2007-06-28 PubMed ID: 17686590DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.06.019Google 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 study investigates the contribution of different strains of equine herpesviruses (EHVs) – EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-3, EHV-4, and EHV-5 – to abortions in horses, using consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test various tissues. It validates the effectiveness of this method in diagnosing herpesviruses in aborted foetuses and stillborn or premature foals.

Objective of the Study

  • The main goal of this research was to assess the contribution of five different equine herpesviruses (EHV-2, EHV-3, EHV-4, EHV-5, and EHV-1) to equine abortion. The study looked at a variety of biological tissues, using a consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for testing.

Methodology and Results

  • The consensus PCR test was first validated for specificity and sensitivity on horses.
  • After validation, the test was used to screen specimens from 407 foetuses, stillbirths, and premature foals collected over a span of 2.5 years.
  • The results derived from the consensus PCR were then compared with other EHV type-specific PCR tests or sequenced.
  • The results indicated that EHV-1 was the main cause of abortion in French mares, appearing in 59 out of 407 cases.

Findings and Conclusion

  • The study found some variation in the capability of EHV-1 strains to induce abortion. While EHV-1 was usually the main cause, there were cases where EHV-2 and EHV-5 had a part in causing the abortion, indicating that different herpesviruses might have different potentials to induce abortion.
  • No viral DNA from either EHV-3 or EHV-4 was detected in any of the specimens.
  • Overall, the findings suggest that the consensus herpesvirus PCR is an effective screening tool. That, in combination with a specific PCR test, can rapidly identify the type of herpesvirus involved in the abortion.

Implication

  • Industry-wide, the research presents vital insights: the reliable identifiaction of herpesviruses other than the EHV-1 strain in abortion cases will enhance the possibilities for diagnostics, preventive measures, and interventions, potentially reducing abortion rates in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Léon A, Fortier G, Fortier C, Freymuth F, Tapprest J, Leclercq R, Pronost S. (2007). Detection of equine herpesviruses in aborted foetuses by consensus PCR. Vet Microbiol, 126(1-3), 20-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.06.019

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 126
Issue: 1-3
Pages: 20-29

Researcher Affiliations

Léon, A
  • Frank Duncombe Laboratory, 1 route de Rosel, 14053 Caen Cedex 4, France; Microbiology Service and EA 2128 Host Relations and Micro-organisms of the Epithelium, University Hospital of Caen, France.
Fortier, G
    Fortier, C
      Freymuth, F
        Tapprest, J
          Leclercq, R
            Pronost, S

              MeSH Terms

              • Aborted Fetus / virology
              • Abortion, Veterinary / diagnosis
              • Abortion, Veterinary / virology
              • Animals
              • Base Sequence
              • Female
              • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
              • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
              • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / virology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Molecular Sequence Data
              • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
              • Reproducibility of Results
              • Sensitivity and Specificity
              • Stillbirth / veterinary
              • Varicellovirus / classification
              • Varicellovirus / genetics
              • Varicellovirus / isolation & purification

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