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Transboundary and emerging diseases2015; 64(2); 389-397; doi: 10.1111/tbed.12377

Equine Herpesvirus-1 Myeloencephalopathy, an Emerging Threat of Working Equids in Ethiopia.

Abstract: Although equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a sporadic and relatively uncommon manifestation of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), it has the potential for causing devastating outbreaks in horses. Up till now, there were no reported EHM outbreaks in donkeys and mules. This study describes the isolation and molecular characterization of EHV-1 from clinically EHM-affected horses (n = 6), mules (n = 3) and donkeys (n = 82) in Ethiopia during outbreaks from May 2011 to December 2013. The incidence of EHM cases was higher from April to mid-June. EHM in donkeys was more severe and death without clinical signs of paralysis, and recumbency was frequently observed. The main age of affected equines ranged from 7 to 10 years (n = 51; 56.0%), and females (n = 58; 63.7%) were more affected than males. The incidence of neuropathogenic (D ) and non-neuropathogenic (N ) variants of EHV-1 from EHM-affected equines in Ethiopia was assessed by sequencing the DNA polymerase gene (ORF30) of the EHV-1 isolates. The results indicated that from the total of 91 clinically affected equines, 90 (98.9%) of them had an ORF30 D genotype. An ORF30 N variant was only found in one donkey. Analysis of ORF68 as grouping marker for geographical differences showed that the Ethiopian EHV-1 isolates belong to geographical group 4. Due to the fatal nature of EHV-1 in donkeys, it would be interesting to examine the pathogenesis of EHM in this species. At present, there is no vaccine available in Ethiopia, and therefore, outbreaks of EHV-1 should be controlled by proper management adaptations. In addition, it is important to test the efficacy of the commercial vaccines not only in horses, but also in donkeys and mules.
© 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2015-05-26 PubMed ID: 26010868DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12377Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigates a rare and potentially devastating strain of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1), known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), in work animals like horses, mules, and donkeys in Ethiopia. It discusses the isolation and molecular characteristics of EHV-1 from animals affected by EHM during certain outbreaks, examines the incidence and severity of the disease in various animals, and identifies the types of EHV-1 variants present in these animals.

Disease Characteristics and Affected Populations

  • The study reports that although EHM is a relatively rare condition, it can cause devastating outbreaks in horse populations. This is the first time EHM outbreaks have been reported in donkeys and mules.
  • The incidence of EHM cases was found to be higher from April to mid-June. These cases tended to involve equines of ages ranging from seven to ten years old, with a higher incidence in female than male animals.
  • EHM was found to be more severe in donkeys, often leading to death without obvious clinical signs of paralysis and recumbency.

Molecular Characterization

  • Researchers attempted to isolate and characterize EHV-1 from clinically EHM-affected equines. Their aim was to determine the variants of EHV-1 present in these animals.
  • The DNA polymerase gene (ORF30) of the EHV-1 isolates was sequenced. It was found that nearly all clinically affected equines (90 of 91, or 98.9%) had an ORF30 D genotype, representing a neuropathogenic (affecting the nervous system) variant of the virus.
  • Only one donkey was found to carry the ORF30 N variant, representing a non-neuropathogenic variant.

Geographical Analysis

  • Another aim of the study was to understand the geographical distribution of the EHV-1 strains. The ORF68 gene was analyzed as a marker for geographical differences.
  • The analysis revealed that Ethiopian EHV-1 isolates belong to geographical group 4.

Management and Control

  • The fatal nature of EHV-1 in donkeys underscores the need to understand the pathogenesis of EHM in this species.
  • Currently, there is no vaccine available in Ethiopia, meaning outbreaks of EHV-1 must be controlled by appropriate management adaptations.
  • The researchers also emphasize the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of commercial vaccines not only in horses, but in donkeys and mules as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Negussie H, Gizaw D, Tessema TS, Nauwynck HJ. (2015). Equine Herpesvirus-1 Myeloencephalopathy, an Emerging Threat of Working Equids in Ethiopia. Transbound Emerg Dis, 64(2), 389-397. https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12377

Publication

Transboundary and emerging diseases
ISSN: 1865-1682
NlmUniqueID: 101319538
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 2
Pages: 389-397

Researcher Affiliations

Negussie, H
  • Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Debre Ziet, Ethiopia.
Gizaw, D
  • National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
Tessema, T S
  • Institute of Biotechnology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nauwynck, H J
  • Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Equidae / virology
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genes, Viral / genetics
  • Genotype
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • Male

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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