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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy in ...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2006; 20(3); 601-607; doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[601:ehtami]2.0.co;2

Equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy in The Netherlands: a four-year retrospective study (1999-2003).

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system and, in particular, the spinal cord of horses. Epidemiologic data are limited, and usually are restricted to the description of a single outbreak. During an observational period of 4 years, we evaluated 9 outbreaks of EHM in The Netherlands. A risk factor analysis was done on the data from 6 outbreaks. Findings were: regular appearance of EHM outbreaks in The Netherlands (2-3/y); strong association of EHM with season; and risk factors, such as breed, sex, age, and fever. Female horses, aged horses, and specific breeds were at greater risk to develop severe neurologic disease. Other breeds and horses <3 years old were never observed to suffer from EHM during these outbreaks. It was concluded that breed variation, in addition to the presence of a specific EHV-1 strain, and environmental factors influence an outbreak of EHM on a premise.
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Publication Date: 2006-06-01 PubMed ID: 16734096DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[601:ehtami]2.0.co;2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 research paper presents findings from a four-year retrospective study in the Netherlands, investigating nine outbreaks of Equine Herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a rare neurological disease impacting horses.

Harvesting and Assessing Data

  • The researchers conducted an observational study over four years, during which they evaluated nine outbreaks of EHM in the Netherlands.
  • Data from six of these outbreaks were selected for risk factor analysis.

Key Findings

  • The investigators found a regular occurrence of EHM outbreaks in the Netherlands, averaging around two to three per year.
  • They observed a strong link between EHM and certain seasons, although the abstract doesn’t specify which seasons were associated with higher numbers of cases.
  • Risk factors like breed, sex, age, and the presence of fever were also found to heavily influence the likelihood of a horse developing EHM.
  • Specifically, the study noted that female horses, older horses, and certain breeds were at a higher risk of developing severe neurological symptoms related to the disease. Conversely, other breeds and horses less than three years old were never recorded to have suffered from EHM during these outbreaks.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that breed of the horse, along with the presence of a specific strain of EHV-1, and certain environmental factors significantly impact the likelihood of an EHM outbreak at a given premises.
  • This research may help horse owners, breeders, and veterinarians in the Netherlands, and potentially globally, to better understand the risk factors associated with EHM and to develop strategies to prevent and manage outbreaks.

Cite This Article

APA
Goehring LS, van Winden SC, van Maanen C, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM. (2006). Equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy in The Netherlands: a four-year retrospective study (1999-2003). J Vet Intern Med, 20(3), 601-607. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[601:ehtami]2.0.co;2

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Pages: 601-607

Researcher Affiliations

Goehring, Lutz S
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. lutz.goehring@colostate.edu
van Winden, Steven C
    van Maanen, C
      Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, Marianne M

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
        • Encephalomyelitis / complications
        • Encephalomyelitis / epidemiology
        • Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
        • Female
        • Herpesviridae Infections / complications
        • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
        • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
        • Herpesvirus 1, Equid
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / etiology
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Netherlands / epidemiology
        • Pedigree
        • Records / veterinary
        • Retrospective Studies
        • Risk Factors

        Citations

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