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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 10(4); 423; doi: 10.3390/pathogens10040423

Environmental Detection and Potential Transmission of Equine Herpesviruses.

Abstract: Equine herpesviruses (EHV) are a major health concern for domestic and wild equids and represent one of the most economically important disease agents of horses. Most known EHVs are transmitted directly between individuals as a result of direct exposure to exudates and aerosols. However, accumulating evidence suggests that environmental transmission may play a role including air, water, and fomites. Here, we reviewed studies on environmental stability and transmission of EHVs, which may influence viral dynamics and the use of environmental samples for monitoring EHV shedding.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-01 PubMed ID: 33916280PubMed Central: PMC8066653DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040423Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study’s main focus is on the potential environmental transmission and detection of equine herpesviruses (EHVs), which are a major threat to both domesticated and wild horses, accounting for a significant economic impact.

Equine Herpesviruses Overview

  • The research discusses Equine herpesviruses (EHVs), which pose a significant health risk to domestic and wild horses. These viruses are among the primary disease agents affecting the horse industry. They are traditionally transmitted directly between animals through exposure to infected exudates and aerosols.

Environmental Transmission of EHVs

  • While most known EHV transmissions occur directly between horses, the authors suggest that environmental factors may also play a part in the transmission. These factors include air, water, and fomites (objects or materials that are likely to carry infection, such as clothes, utensils, and furniture).
  • This mode of transmission suggests that the viruses might have more stability in the environment than previously thought, making the surrounding habitat conductive for their survival and proliferation.

Monitoring EHV Shedding

  • This research discusses how understanding the environmental stability and transmission of EHV can influence viral dynamics. This knowledge could also aid in using environmental samples to monitor EHV shedding among equine populations.
  • EHV shedding is the process by which the virus is expelled from an infected horse and can potentially infect others. By studying the environment where this shedding occurs, it is possible to understand the dynamics of the virus and devise strategies to control its spread.

Economic Impact of EHV

  • The research also highlights that EHVs are economically significant, impacting the horse industry mainly through loss of horses, lowered productivity and the cost of disease control measures. These viruses can cause various conditions in horses, ranging from respiratory diseases to abortion, which can lead to significant economic losses.

Conclusion

  • Overall, this research sheds light on the potential environmental routes and stability of EHV transmission, which could influence its control methods. Further research is required to devise effective strategies for managing the transmission of EHVs in both domestic and wild equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Dayaram A, Seeber PA, Greenwood AD. (2021). Environmental Detection and Potential Transmission of Equine Herpesviruses. Pathogens, 10(4), 423. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040423

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
PII: 423

Researcher Affiliations

Dayaram, Anisha
  • Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany.
  • Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Seeber, Peter A
  • Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany.
  • Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany.
Greenwood, Alex D
  • Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), 10315 Berlin, Germany.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.

Grant Funding

  • SAW-2015-IZW-1 440 / Leibniz-Gemeinschaft

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Pusterla N, Barnum S, Young A, Mendonsa E, Lee S, Hankin S, Brittner S, Finno CJ. Molecular Monitoring of EHV-1 in Silently Infected Performance Horses through Nasal and Environmental Sample Testing.. Pathogens 2022 Jun 24;11(7).
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