EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection in vaccinated mares and their foals.
Abstract: A silent cycle of equine herpesvirus 1 infection was described following epidemiological studies of unvaccinated mares and foals on a Hunter Valley stud farm. Following the introduction of routine vaccination with an inactivated whole virus equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) vaccine in 1997, a subsequent study identified excretion of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in nasal swab samples tested by PCR from vaccinated mares and their unweaned, unvaccinated foals. The current sero-epidemiological investigation of vaccinated mares and their young foals found serological evidence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection in mares and foals in the first 5 weeks of life. The results further support that EHV-1 and EHV-4 circulate in vaccinated populations of mares and their unweaned foals and confirms the continuation of the cycle of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection.
Publication Date: 2006-02-28 PubMed ID: 16513181DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.01.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article presents a study conducted in a horse stud farm that revealed a continuous cycle of equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) infection in both vaccinated adult horses (mares) and their young, unvaccinated offspring (foals). Despite vaccination, there is an evidence of virus excretion and spread among the populations.
Methodology of the Research
- The study was an epidemiological research carried out on a Hunter Valley stud farm. This is a controlled environment that has a specific population of horses that can be monitored for certain conditions.
- For decades, the population of mares and foals in the study was unvaccinated. In 1997, a change was made and the adult horses began to receive routine vaccinations using an inactivated whole virus EHV-1 and EHV-4 vaccine.
- Research was conducted over a period of time, with nasal swab samples frequently taken from the mares and their foals for PCR testing. This assisted in identifying the presence and excretion of EHV-1 and EHV-4.
- A sero-epidemiological investigation was also carried out. This involves testing the blood of the animals for the presence of specific antibodies, indicating whether an infection has occurred.
Key Findings of the Research
- The PCR tests from the nasal swab samples revealed that both EHV-1 and EHV-4 were being excreted by the vaccinated mares and their unvaccinated, unweaned foals. This suggested that the viruses were still active within these populations despite the vaccination.
- The sero-epidemiological investigation further confirmed the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infections, as specific antibodies were found in the blood of both mares and foals during the first 5 weeks of the foals’ lives.
Implications of the Research
- The study results demonstrate that even in vaccinated horse populations, EHV-1 and EHV-4 can still circulate. This is an important finding for equine herd health management, as it indicates potential gaps in immunization practices or vaccine efficacy.
- The research also confirms the continued cycle of EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection, underscoring the neccessity for continued vigilance in monitoring and controlling these diseases in equine populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Foote CE, Love DN, Gilkerson JR, Wellington JE, Whalley JM.
(2006).
EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection in vaccinated mares and their foals.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 111(1-2), 41-46.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.01.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Suckling
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Australia / epidemiology
- Cohort Studies
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Female
- Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / growth & development
- Herpesvirus 4, Equid / growth & development
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary
- Longitudinal Studies
- Prospective Studies
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Vaccination / veterinary
- Viral Envelope Proteins / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Pusterla N, James K, Barnum S, Bain F, Barnett DC, Chappell D, Gaughan E, Craig B, Schneider C, Vaala W. Frequency of Detection and Prevalence Factors Associated with Common Respiratory Pathogens in Equids with Acute Onset of Fever and/or Respiratory Signs (2008-2021).. Pathogens 2022 Jul 2;11(7).
- Mureşan A, Mureşan C, Siteavu M, Avram E, Bochynska D, Taulescu M. An Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-4 in an Ecological Donkey Milk Farm in Romania.. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Mar 18;10(3).
- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Carvelli A, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Baldinelli F, Van der Stede Y. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infection with Equine Herpesvirus-1.. EFSA J 2022 Jan;20(1):e07036.
- Warda FF, Ahmed HES, Shafik NG, Mikhael CA, Abd-ElAziz HMG, Mohammed WA, Shosha EA. Application of equine herpesvirus-1 vaccine inactivated by both formaldehyde and binary ethylenimine in equine.. Vet World 2021 Jul;14(7):1815-1821.
- Dayaram A, Seeber PA, Greenwood AD. Environmental Detection and Potential Transmission of Equine Herpesviruses.. Pathogens 2021 Apr 1;10(4).
- Attili AR, Colognato R, Preziuso S, Moriconi M, Valentini S, Petrini S, De Mia GM, Cuteri V. Evaluation of Three Different Vaccination Protocols against EHV1/EHV4 Infection in Mares: Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial.. Vaccines (Basel) 2020 Jun 1;8(2).
- Perez-Ecija A, Mendoza FJ, Estepa JC, Bautista MJ, Pérez J. Equid herpesvirus 1 and rhodococcus equi coinfection in a foal with bronchointerstitial pneumonia.. J Vet Med Sci 2016 Oct 1;78(9):1511-1513.
- Bannai H, Mae N, Ode H, Nemoto M, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T, Kondo T, Matsumura T. Successful control of winter pyrexias caused by equine herpesvirus type 1 in Japanese training centers by achieving high vaccination coverage.. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2014 Aug;21(8):1070-6.
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