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Equine coital exanthema and its potential economic implications for the equine industry.
Abstract: Equine coital exanthema (ECE) caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) is a contagious venereal disease characterised by the formation of painful papules, vesicles, pustules and ulcers on the external genitalia of both mares and stallions. EHV-3 is an alphaherpesvirus that is distinct from the other equine herpesviruses and endemic in most horse breeding populations worldwide. The negative impacts of ECE on equine breeding enterprises are the forced, temporary disruption of mating activities of mares and stallions, the additional care and supportive treatment that is required for affected horses, and the risk of virus spread by either fresh or frozen semen as well as by artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Because there are no effective surveillance systems to report ECE, its true prevalence and economic impact are difficult to assess and are probably underestimated. The purpose of this review is to describe the recent advances in understanding of EHV-3 infections and to consider the economic consequences of ECE within the current context of the equine industry.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-02-26 PubMed ID: 21354835DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.01.016Google 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
- Review
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 examines a contagious horse disease called equine coital exanthema (ECE), spread by a specific herpesvirus (EHV-3). The study explores how this impacts the horse breeding industry economically, due to halting breeding activities, necessary additional care, risks of viral spread, underestimation of prevalence, and lack of effective surveillance systems.
What is Equine Coital Exanthema?
- Equine coital exanthema (ECE) is a contagious venereal disease in horses caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3).
- This disease is characterized by the presence of painful papules, vesicles, pustules, and ulcers on the external genitalia of both male and female horses.
- EHV-3, an alphaherpesvirus, is different from other equine herpesviruses. It is prevalent in most horse breeding populations globally.
Impact on Horse Breeding Activities
- ECE forces temporary disruption in the mating activities of horses. Affected horses require additional care and supportive treatment, adding to the cost and time for horse breeders and owners.
- There is a risk of the virus spreading through different breeding methods, including the use of fresh or frozen semen, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer.
Challenges in Estimating Prevalence and Economic Impact
- Due to the absence of effective surveillance systems for ECE, assessing its true prevalence and economic impact is challenging.
- The actual prevalence and economic impact of ECE are probably underestimated, which means its impact on the horse breeding industry might be even more critical than currently understood.
Purpose and Scope of Review
- This research review aims to present recent advances in understanding EHV-3 infections.
- It considers the economic effects of ECE amidst the current circumstances in the equine industry.
- This review will help in gaining a more complete picture of ECE and its implications for the equine industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Barrandeguy M, Thiry E.
(2011).
Equine coital exanthema and its potential economic implications for the equine industry.
Vet J, 191(1), 35-40.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.01.016 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Instituto de Virología, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, CC25, 1712 Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Belgium
- Breeding
- Disease Transmission, Infectious / veterinary
- Embryo Transfer / veterinary
- Exanthema / prevention & control
- Exanthema / veterinary
- Female
- Genitalia / virology
- Herpesviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesvirus 3, Equid / isolation & purification
- Horses
- Industry
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Male
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Atay YE, Ekinci G, Öztürk AE, Timur MC, Mete A, Altınbay K, Derelli FM, Akar Y, Keleş İ. Clinical Prevalence of Equine Coital Exanthema in a Thoroughbred Covering Station in Türkiye (2021-2024). Reprod Domest Anim 2025 Jun;60(6):e70086.
- Troncoso I, Calvanese R, Saravia F, Muñoz-Leal S, Zegpi NA, Ortega R. First molecular detection of Equine Herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) in Chile. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):717-720.
- Vissani MA, Damiani AM, Barrandeguy ME. Equine Coital Exanthema: New Insights on the Knowledge and Leading Perspectives for Treatment and Prevention. Pathogens 2021 Aug 20;10(8).
- Thorsteinsdóttir L, Guðmundsson GÖ, Jensson H, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V. Isolation of equid alphaherpesvirus 3 from a horse in Iceland with equine coital exanthema. Acta Vet Scand 2021 Feb 2;63(1):6.
- Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Kirisawa R. Period of excretion of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) from a stallion before showing clinical signs of equine coital exanthema and the effect of acyclovir treatment on the duration of EHV-3 excretion. J Vet Med Sci 2020 Sep 24;82(9):1299-1305.
- Kirisawa R, Toishi Y, Akamatsu A, Soejima K, Miyashita T, Tsunoda N. Isolation of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) from equine coital exanthema of two stallions and sero-epidemiology of EHV-3 infection in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):636-643.
- Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Kirisawa R. Occurrence of equine coital exanthema (ECE) in stallions in Japan and effectiveness of treatment with valacyclovir for ECE. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):632-635.
- Negussie H, Li Y, Tessema TS, Nauwynck HJ. Replication characteristics of equine herpesvirus 1 and equine herpesvirus 3: comparative analysis using ex vivo tissue cultures. Vet Res 2016 Jan 15;47:19.
- Sijmons S, Vissani A, Tordoya MS, Muylkens B, Thiry E, Maes P, Matthijnssens J, Barrandeguy M, Van Ranst M. Complete genome sequence of equid herpesvirus 3. Genome Announc 2014 Oct 2;2(5).
- Marenzoni ML, Bietta A, Lepri E, Casagrande Proietti P, Cordioli P, Canelli E, Stefanetti V, Coletti M, Timoney PJ, Passamonti F. Role of equine herpesviruses as co-infecting agents in cases of abortion, placental disease and neonatal foal mortality. Vet Res Commun 2013 Dec;37(4):311-7.
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