Detection of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Virus and Equine Hepacivirus in Archived Sera from Horses in France and Australia.
Abstract: Reports of newly discovered equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses have emerged throughout the last decade in many countries, the discovery of which has stimulated a great deal of interest and clinical research. Although commonly detected in horses without signs of disease, equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV) have been associated with liver disease, including following the administration of contaminated anti-toxin. Our aim was to determine whether EqPV-H and EqHV are present in Australian horses and whether EqPV-H was present in French horses and to examine sequence diversity between strains of both viruses amongst infected horses on either side of the globe. Sera from 188 Australian horses and 256 French horses from horses with and without clinical signs of disease were collected. Twelve out of 256 (4.7%) and 6 out of 188 (3.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqPV-H. Five out of 256 (1.9%) and 21 out of 188 (11.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqHV. Australian strains for both viruses were genomically clustered, in contrast to strains from French horses, which were more broadly distributed. The findings of this preliminary survey, with the molecular detection of EqHV and EqPV-H in Australia and the latter in France, adds to the growing body of awareness regarding these recently discovered hepatotropic viruses. It has provided valuable information not just in terms of geographic endemicity but will guide equine clinicians, carers, and authorities regarding infectious agents and potential impacts of allogenic tissue contamination. Although we have filled many gaps in the world map regarding equine hepatotropic viruses, further prospective studies in this emerging field may be useful in terms of elucidating risk factors and pathogenesis of these pathogens and management of cases in terms of prevention and diagnosis.
Publication Date: 2024-05-28 PubMed ID: 38932156PubMed Central: PMC11209535DOI: 10.3390/v16060862Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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.
Research Overview
- This study investigated the presence and genetic diversity of two equine liver viruses, equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV), in horse serum samples collected from France and Australia.
- The goal was to understand the geographic distribution of these viruses and their potential links to liver disease and contaminated biological products in horses.
Background and Importance
- Equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV) are newly discovered hepatotropic viruses affecting horses worldwide.
- These viruses have been found in horses both with and without liver-related clinical signs.
- EqPV-H has been specifically associated with hepatitis cases, sometimes linked to administration of contaminated anti-toxin products.
- Understanding their distribution, diversity, and possible disease associations is important for equine health management and biosecurity.
Research Objectives
- Determine the presence of EqPV-H and EqHV in archived serum samples from horses in Australia and France.
- Compare the genetic diversity of virus strains found in both geographic regions.
- Provide epidemiological insights that help veterinarians and equine health authorities manage infection risk and diagnose equine liver disease.
Methods
- Archived serum samples were collected from a total of 444 horses: 188 from Australia and 256 from France.
- Samples included horses with and without clinical signs of liver disease to get a representative overview.
- Molecular detection techniques (likely PCR-based) were used to identify viral genetic material corresponding to EqPV-H and EqHV.
- Genetic sequencing and analysis were performed to assess strain diversity and phylogenetic clustering among viruses from the two countries.
Key Findings
- EqPV-H was detected in 4.7% (12/256) of French horse samples and 3.2% (6/188) of Australian horse samples.
- EqHV was detected in 1.9% (5/256) of French samples and 11.2% (21/188) of Australian samples, indicating a higher prevalence of EqHV in Australia.
- Viral strains from Australian horses formed a tight genomic cluster suggesting less genetic variability.
- French viral strains showed more genetic diversity and broader distribution in the phylogenetic analyses.
Significance of Results
- Confirms the presence of both viruses across geographically diverse equine populations, expanding knowledge of their endemic regions.
- Highlights that EqPV-H, though associated with liver disease, can also be found in clinically healthy horses.
- Raises awareness about the risk of contamination in biological products like anti-toxins that could transmit EqPV-H.
- The genetic diversity differences suggest potentially different virus evolution dynamics or transmission patterns between continents.
Implications for Equine Health and Future Directions
- Equine veterinarians and caretakers should consider these viruses as potential infectious agents when diagnosing liver disease.
- Monitoring and testing guidelines might be improved to include these viruses, especially when using biological products prone to contamination.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to understand:
- Risk factors influencing EqPV-H and EqHV infection and transmission in horses.
- The pathogenesis and clinical impact of these viruses in naturally infected horses.
- Optimal strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management of equine liver infections related to these viruses.
Cite This Article
APA
Fortier C, El-Hage C, Normand C, Hue ES, Sutton G, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Jeffers K, Bamford N, Oden E, Paillot R, Hartley C, Gilkerson J, Pronost S.
(2024).
Detection of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Virus and Equine Hepacivirus in Archived Sera from Horses in France and Australia.
Viruses, 16(6), 862.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v16060862 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Cytokines and Adaptive Immunity Lab, Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
- RESPE (Réseau d'Epidémio-Surveillance en Pathologie Équine), 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, School of Agriculture, Animal & Environmental Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU Writtle), Lordship Road, Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UK.
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Australia / epidemiology
- Parvoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Parvoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Parvoviridae Infections / virology
- Parvoviridae Infections / blood
- Phylogeny
- France / epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / virology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / blood
- Parvovirus / genetics
- Parvovirus / isolation & purification
- Parvovirus / classification
- Parvovirus / immunology
- Hepacivirus / genetics
- Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
- Hepacivirus / immunology
- Hepatitis C / veterinary
- Hepatitis C / virology
- Hepatitis C / epidemiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 50 references
- Burbelo P.D., Dubovi E.J., Simmonds P., Medina J.L., Henriquez J.A., Mishra N., Wagner J., Tokarz R., Cullen J.M., Iadarola M.J.. Serology-Enabled Discovery of Genetically Diverse Hepaciviruses in a New Host. J. Virol. 2012;86:6171–6178.
- Lyons S., Kapoor A., Sharp C., Schneider B.S., Wolfe N.D., Culshaw G., Corcoran B., McGorum B.C., Simmonds P.. Nonprimate Hepaciviruses in Domestic Horses, United Kingdom. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2012;18:1976–1982.
- Chandriani S., Skewes-Cox P., Zhong W., Ganem D.E., Divers T.J., Van Blaricum A.J., Tennant B.C., Kistler A.L.. Identification of a Previously Undescribed Divergent Virus from the Flaviviridae Family in an Outbreak of Equine Serum Hepatitis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2013;110:E1407–E1415.
- Divers T.J., Tennant B.C., Kumar A., McDonough S., Cullen J., Bhuva N., Jain K., Chauhan L.S., Scheel T.K.H., Lipkin W.I.. New Parvovirus Associated with Serum Hepatitis in Horses after Inoculation of Common Biological Product. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 2018;24:303–310.
- Divers T.J., Tomlinson J.E.. Theiler’s Disease. Equine Vet. Educ. 2020;32:63–65.
- Tomlinson J.E., Van de Walle G.R., Divers T.J.. What Do We Know About Hepatitis Viruses in Horses?. Vet. Clin. N. Am. Equine Pract. 2019;35:351–362.
- Lu G., Sun L., Ou J., Xu H., Wu L., Li S.. Identification and Genetic Characterization of a Novel Parvovirus Associated with Serum Hepatitis in Horses in China. Emerg. Microbes Infect. 2018;7:170.
- Tomlinson J.E., Jager M., Struzyna A., Laverack M., Fortier L.A., Dubovi E., Foil L.D., Burbelo P.D., Divers T.J., Van de Walle G.R.. Tropism, Pathology, and Transmission of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis. Emerg. Microbes Infect. 2020;9:651–663.
- Badenhorst M., de Heus P., Auer A., Tegtmeyer B., Stang A., Dimmel K., Tichy A., Kubacki J., Bachofen C., Steinmann E.. Active Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Infection Is Most Frequently Detected in Austrian Horses of Advanced Age. Equine Vet. J. 2022;54:379–389.
- Badenhorst M., Tegtmeyer B., Todt D., Guthrie A., Feige K., Campe A., Steinmann E., Cavalleri J.M.V.. First Detection and Frequent Occurrence of Equine Hepacivirus in Horses on the African Continent. Vet. Microbiol. 2018;223:51–58.
- Baird J., Tegtmeyer B., Arroyo L., Stang A., Brüggemann Y., Hazlett M., Steinmann E.. The Association of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) with Cases of Non-Biologic-Associated Theiler’s Disease on a Farm in Ontario, Canada. Vet. Microbiol. 2020;242:108575.
- Figueiredo A.S., de Moraes M.V.d.S., Soares C.C., Chalhoub F.L.L., Filippis A.M.B., Santos D.R.L., Almeida F.Q., Godoi T.L.O.S., Souza A.M., Burdman T.R.. First Description of Theiler’s Disease-associated Virus Infection and Epidemiological Investigation of Equine Pegivirus and Equine Hepacivirus Coinfection in Brazil. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2019;66:1737–1751.
- Lu G., Sun L., Xu T., He D., Wang Z., Ou S., Jia K., Yuan L., Li S.. First Description of Hepacivirus and Pegivirus Infection in Domestic Horses in China: A Study in Guangdong Province, Heilongjiang Province and Hong Kong District. PLoS ONE 2016;11:e0155662.
- Meister T.L., Tegtmeyer B., Postel A., Cavalleri J.-M.V., Todt D., Stang A., Steinmann E.. Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Frequently Detectable in Commercial Equine Serum Pools. Viruses 2019;11:461.
- Papapetrou M.A., Arroyo L.G., Meister T.L., Baird J.D., Steinmann E., Lillie B.N.. Prevalence of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis in Healthy Broodmares in Ontario, Canada. Can. J. Vet. Res. Rev. Can. Rech. Vet. 2023;87:169–175.
- Pronost S., Hue E., Fortier C., Foursin M., Fortier G., Desbrosse F., Rey F.A., Pitel P.-H., Richard E., Saunier B.. Prevalence of Equine Hepacivirus Infections in France and Evidence for Two Viral Subtypes Circulating Worldwide. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2016;64:1884–1897.
- Tomlinson J.E., Kapoor A., Kumar A., Tennant B.C., Laverack M.A., Beard L., Delph K., Davis E., Schott Ii H., Lascola K.. Viral Testing of 18 Consecutive Cases of Equine Serum Hepatitis: A Prospective Study (2014–2018). J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2019;33:251–257.
- Altan E., Li Y., Sabino-Santos G., Jr., Sawaswong V., Barnum S., Pusterla N., Deng X., Delwart E.. Viruses in Horses with Neurologic and Respiratory Diseases. Viruses 2019;11:942.
- Pusterla N., James K., Barnum S., Delwart E.. Investigation of Three Newly Identified Equine Parvoviruses in Blood and Nasal Fluid Samples of Clinically Healthy Horses and Horses with Acute Onset of Respiratory Disease. Anim. Open Access J. 2021;11:3006.
- Lu G., Wu L., Ou J., Li S.. Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis in China: Characterization of Its Genetic Diversity and Evidence for Natural Recombination Events Between the Chinese and American Strains. Front. Vet. Sci. 2020;7:121.
- Vengust M., Jager M.C., Zalig V., Cociancich V., Laverack M., Renshaw R.W., Dubovi E., Tomlinson J.E., Van de Walle G.R., Divers T.J.. First Report of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis-Associated Theiler’s Disease in Europe. Equine Vet. J. 2020;52:841–847.
- de Moraes M.V.D.S., Salgado C.R.S., Godoi T.L.O.S., de Almeida F.Q., Chalhoub F.L.L., de Filippis A.M.B., de Souza A.M., de Oliveira J.M., Figueiredo A.S.. Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Is Detected in South America, Brazil. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2022;69:3022–3027.
- Lee S.-K., Park D., Lee I.. Molecular Prevalence of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis in the Sera of Clinically Healthy Horses in South Korea. Vet. Sci. 2021;8:282.
- Yoon J., Park T., Kim A., Song H., Park B.-J., Ahn H.-S., Go H.-J., Kim D.-H., Lee J.-B., Park S.-Y.. First Report of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis and Equine Hepacivirus Coinfection in Horses in Korea. Transbound. Emerg. Dis. 2022;69:2735–2746.
- Ramsauer A.S., Badenhorst M., Cavalleri J.-M.V.. Equine Parvovirus Hepatitis. Equine Vet. J. 2021;53:886–894.
- Tegtmeyer B., Echelmeyer J., Pfankuche V.M., Puff C., Todt D., Fischer N., Durham A., Feige K., Baumgärtner W., Steinmann E.. Chronic Equine Hepacivirus Infection in an Adult Gelding with Severe Hepatopathy. Vet. Med. Sci. 2019;5:372–378.
- Pfaender S., Cavalleri J.M.V., Walter S., Doerrbecker J., Campana B., Brown R.J.P., Burbelo P.D., Postel A., Hahn K., Anggakusuma. Clinical Course of Infection and Viral Tissue Tropism of Hepatitis C Virus-Like Nonprimate Hepaciviruses in Horses. Hepatology 2015;61:447–459.
- Scheel T.K.H., Kapoor A., Nishiuchi E., Brock K.V., Yu Y., Andrus L., Gu M., Renshaw R.W., Dubovi E.J., McDonough S.P.. Characterization of Nonprimate Hepacivirus and Construction of a Functional Molecular Clone. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2015;112:2192–2197.
- Tomlinson J.E., Tennant B.C., Struzyna A., Mrad D., Browne N., Whelchel D., Johnson P.J., Jamieson C., Löhr C.V., Bildfell R.. Viral Testing of 10 Cases of Theiler’s Disease and 37 in-Contact Horses in the Absence of Equine Biologic Product Administration: A Prospective Study (2014–2018). J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2019;33:258–265.
- Pronost S., Fortier C., Marcillaud-Pitel C., Tapprest J., Foursin M., Saunier B., Pitel P.-H., Paillot R., Hue E.S.. Further Evidence for in Utero Transmission of Equine Hepacivirus to Foals. Viruses 2019;11:1124.
- Gather T., Walter S., Pfaender S., Todt D., Feige K., Steinmann E., Cavalleri J.M.V.. Acute and Chronic Infections with Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Young Horses. Vet. Res. 2016;47:97.
- Badenhorst M., de Heus P., Auer A., Rümenapf T., Tegtmeyer B., Kolodziejek J., Nowotny N., Steinmann E., Cavalleri J.-M.V.. No Evidence of Mosquito Involvement in the Transmission of Equine Hepacivirus (Flaviviridae) in an Epidemiological Survey of Austrian Horses. Viruses 2019;11:1014.
- Chen Y., Cai S., Zhang Y., Lai Z., Zhong L., Sun X., Li S., Lu G.. First Identification and Genomic Characterization of Equine Hepacivirus Subtype 2 in China. Arch. Virol. 2021;166:3221–3224.
- Kim H.-S., Moon H.-W., Sung H.W., Kwon H.M.. First Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Equine Hepacivirus in Korea. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2017;49:268–272.
- Reichert C., Campe A., Walter S., Pfaender S., Welsch K., Ruddat I., Sieme H., Feige K., Steinmann E., Cavalleri J.M.V.. Frequent Occurrence of Nonprimate Hepacivirus Infections in Thoroughbred Breeding Horses—A Cross-Sectional Study for the Occurrence of Infections and Potential Risk Factors. Vet. Microbiol. 2017;203:315–322.
- Schlottau K., Fereidouni S., Beer M., Hoffmann B.. Molecular Identification and Characterization of Nonprimate Hepaciviruses in Equines. Arch. Virol. 2018;164:391–400.
- Elia G., Lanave G., Lorusso E., Parisi A., Cavaliere N., Patruno G., Terregino C., Decaro N., Martella V., Buonavoglia C.. Identification and Genetic Characterization of Equine Hepaciviruses in Italy. Vet. Microbiol. 2017;207:239–247.
- Figueiredo A.S., Lampe E., de Albuquerque P.P.L.F., Chalhoub F.L.L., de Filippis A.M.B., Villar L.M., Cruz O.G., Pinto M.A., de Oliveira J.M.. Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis of the NS5B Gene and Protein Variability of Non-Primate Hepacivirus in Several Horse Cohorts in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Infect. Genet. Evol. 2018;59:38–47.
- Date T., Sugiyama M., Lkhagvasuren D., Wakita T., Oyunsuren T., Mizokami M.. Prevalence of Equine Hepacivirus Infection in Mongolia. Virus Res. 2020;282:197940.
- Abbadi I., Lkhider M., Kitab B., Jabboua K., Zaidane I., Haddaji A., Nacer S., Matsuu A., Pineau P., Tsukiyama-Kohara K.. Non-Primate Hepacivirus Transmission and Prevalence: Novel Findings of Virus Circulation in Horses and Dogs in Morocco. Infect. Genet. Evol. J. Mol. Epidemiol. Evol. Genet. Infect. Dis. 2021;93:104975.
- Dennis S., El Hage C., Brookes V.. A Survey of Veterinarians’ Practices, Recommendations and Perceptions Associated with the Prevention of Tetanus in Horses in Australia. Aust. Vet. J. 2022;100:181–186.
- . Animal Health Analysis Methods-PCR-Part 2: Requirements and Recommendations for the Development and Validation of PCR in Animal Health. Association Francaise de Normalisation; Paris, France: 2015.
- Leigh J.W., Bryant D.. Popart: Full-Feature Software for Haplotype Network Construction. Methods Ecol. Evol. 2015;6:1110–1116.
- Walter S., Rasche A., Moreira-Soto A., Pfaender S., Bletsa M., Corman V.M., Aguilar-Setien A., García-Lacy F., Hans A., Todt D.. Differential Infection Patterns and Recent Evolutionary Origins of Equine Hepaciviruses in Donkeys. J. Virol. 2017;91:e01711-16.
- Tyler-McGowan C.M., Golland L.C., Evans D.L., Hodgson D.R., Rose R.J.. Haematological and Biochemical Responses to Training and Overtraining. Equine Vet. J. 1999;31:621–625.
- Mann S., Ramsay J.D., Wakshlag J.J., Stokol T., Reed S., Divers T.J.. Investigating the Pathogenesis of High-Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Activity in Thoroughbred Racehorses: A Series of Case-Control Studies. Equine Vet. J. 2021;54:39–51.
- Reinecke B., Köhn M., Brüggemann Y., Kinast V., Todt D., Stang A., Badenhorst M., Koeppel K., Guthrie A., Groner U.. Clinical Course of Infection and Cross-Species Detection of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis. Viruses 2021;13:1454.
- Reuter G., Maza N., Pankovics P., Boros Á.. Non-Primate Hepacivirus Infection with Apparent Hepatitis in a Horse—Short Communication. Acta Vet. Hung. 2014;62:422–427.
- Figueiredo A.S., Lampe E., do Espírito-Santo M.P., Mello F.C.D.A., de Almeida F.Q., de Lemos E.R.S., Godoi T.L.O.S., Dimache L.A.G., dos Santos D.R.L., Villar L.M.. Identification of Two Phylogenetic Lineages of Equine Hepacivirus and High Prevalence in Brazil. Vet. J. 2015;206:414–416.
- Kolykhalov A.A., Agapov E.V., Blight K.J., Mihalik K., Feinstone S.M., Rice C.M.. Transmission of Hepatitis C by Intrahepatic Inoculation with Transcribed RNA. Science 1997;277:570–574.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Nardini R, Pacchiarotti G, Svicher V, Salpini R, Bellocchi MC, Conti R, Sala MG, La Rocca D, Carioti L, Cersini A, Manna G, The Equine Hepatic Viruses Consortium, Scicluna MT. First National Prevalence in Italian Horse Population and Phylogenesis Highlight a Fourth Sub-Type Candidate of Equine Hepacivirus.. Viruses 2024 Apr 16;16(4).
- Pacchiarotti G, Nardini R, Scicluna MT. Equine Hepacivirus: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Serological and Biomolecular Prevalence and a Phylogenetic Update.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Sep 20;12(19).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
