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Home / Equine Research Bank / Viruses / Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) Outbreak in a Show Stallion Pop...
Viruses2021; 13(11); doi: 10.3390/v13112142

Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) Outbreak in a Show Stallion Population.

Abstract: (1) Background: Equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection causes reproductive losses and systemic vasculitis in susceptible equidae. The intact male becomes the virus' reservoir upon EAV infection, as it causes a chronic-persistent infection of the accessory sex glands. Infected semen is the main source of virus transmission. (2) Here, we describe acute EAV infection and spread in a stallion population after introduction of new members to the group. (3) Conclusions: acute clinical signs, acute phase detection of antigen via (PCR) nasal swabs or (EDTA) blood, and seroconversion support the idea of transmission via seminal fluids into the respiratory tract(s) of others. This outbreak highlights EAV's horizontal transmission via the respiratory tract. This route should be considered in a chronic-persistently infected herd, when seronegative animals are added to the group.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-24 PubMed ID: 34834949PubMed Central: PMC8621670DOI: 10.3390/v13112142Google 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.

This research suggests the possibility of new transmission routes for Equine arteritis virus, a disease causing significant reproductive losses in horses. The study found that the virus can spread via respiratory tracts in a group of stallions after new members were introduced, supplementing the known transmission through infected semen.

Research Background

  • The study focuses on Equine arteritis virus (EAV), a condition causing reproductive losses and harm to the blood vessels in vulnerable horses.
  • The research mentions that the virus establishes a chronic and persistent infection in the accessory sex glands of intact male horses, making these animals a reservoir for the virus.
  • The transmission of the virus primarily occurs through infected semen.

Research Findings

  • The research describes an incidence of acute EAV infection within a group of stallions, following the introduction of new horses into the population.
  • Researchers used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swabs and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood tests to detect the presence of EAV antigens during the acute phase of the disease.
  • Results showed the presence of clinical signs, antigen detection, and the process of seroconversion – the development of specific antibodies in response to an infection.

Research Conclusions

  • These findings suggest that the virus was transmitted via seminal fluids into the respiratory tract(s) of other horses.
  • This study highlights the possibility of EAV transmission via the respiratory tract, in addition to its well-known route through infected semen.
  • The researchers recommend considering this transmission route in situations where new seronegative animals (those without detectable antibodies) are introduced into a group that has a chronic-persistent infection of EAV.

Cite This Article

APA
Otzdorff C, Beckmann J, Goehring LS. (2021). Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) Outbreak in a Show Stallion Population. Viruses, 13(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/v13112142

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Otzdorff, Christiane
  • Equine Hospital, Center of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany.
Beckmann, Julia
  • Equine Ambulatory Practice Dr. C. Krieg, 85656 Buch am Buchrain, Germany.
Goehring, Lutz S
  • MH Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Food & Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arterivirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Arterivirus Infections / transmission
  • Arterivirus Infections / veterinary
  • Arterivirus Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Equartevirus
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Masturbation
  • Persistent Infection
  • Respiratory System / virology
  • Semen / virology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 6 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Bhat S, Karunakaran S, Frossard JP, Choudhury B, Steinbach F. Genetic characterization of equine arteritis virus associated with outbreaks in the UK, 2019. J Gen Virol 2025 Dec;106(12).
    doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.002181pubmed: 41334982google scholar: lookup
  2. Wang X, Gong H, Chen R, Tan S, Shao J, Chen J, Lu S, Liao M. Identification and characterization of two putative novel genera of arteriviruses in shrews and rats. Front Microbiol 2025;16:1551155.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1551155pubmed: 40831644google scholar: lookup
  3. Ruan L, Li L, Yang R, You A, Khan MZ, Yu Y, Chen L, Li Y, Liu G, Wang C, Wang T. Equine Herpesvirus-1 Induced Respiratory Disease in Dezhou Donkey Foals: Case Study from China, 2024. Vet Sci 2025 Jan 14;12(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12010056pubmed: 39852931google scholar: lookup
  4. Li L, Li S, Ma H, Akhtar MF, Tan Y, Wang T, Liu W, Khan A, Khan MZ, Wang C. An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes of Pregnancy Losses in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jul 2;14(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14131961pubmed: 38998073google scholar: lookup
  5. Waqas MS, Arroyo E, Tibary A. Diagnostic Approach to Equine Testicular Disorders. Vet Sci 2024 May 29;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11060243pubmed: 38921990google scholar: lookup
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