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Viruses2019; 11(10); doi: 10.3390/v11100963

Equine Rhinitis A Virus Infection in Thoroughbred Racehorses-A Putative Role in Poor Performance?

Abstract: The aim of this study was to identify respiratory viruses circulating amongst elite racehorses in a training yard by serological testing of serial samples and to determine their impact on health status and ability to race. A six-month longitudinal study was conducted in 30 Thoroughbred racehorses (21 two-year-olds, five three-year-olds and four four-year-olds) during the Flat racing season. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) and equine rhinitis viruses A and B (ERAV and ERBV) by complement fixation (CF) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) by ELISA. Antibodies against equine influenza (EI) were measured by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Only ERAV was circulating in the yard throughout the six-month study period. Seroconversion to ERAV frequently correlated with clinical respiratory disease and was significantly associated with subsequent failure to race (p = 0.0009). Over 55% of the two-year-olds in the study seroconverted to ERAV in May and June. In contrast, only one seroconversion to ERAV was observed in the older horses. They remained free of any signs of respiratory disease and raced successfully throughout the study period. The importance of ERAV as a contributory factor in the interruption of training programmes for young horses may be underestimated.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-18 PubMed ID: 31635401PubMed Central: PMC6848918DOI: 10.3390/v11100963Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 study investigates respiratory viruses in elite racehorses, specifically equine rhinitis A Virus (ERAV), and their potential impact on the horses’ health and racing performance. Over a period of six months, one virus, ERAV, was found to be prevalent and its presence closely tied to respiratory disease and a subsequent decline in racing performance.

Objectives and Methodology of the Study

In the research:

  • The main goal was to identify and understand the impact of respiratory viruses on the health and performance of Thoroughbred racehorses.
  • The researchers specially investigated a range of potential viruses including equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), equine rhinitis viruses A and B (ERAV and ERBV), and equine arteritis virus (EAV).
  • The study involved a longitudinal examination of 30 Thoroughbred racehorses over six months during the Flat racing season.
  • Different testing methods such as complement fixation (CF) for EHV-1, EHV-4, ERAV and ERBV, and ELISA for EAV were employed. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) was used to measure antibodies against equine influenza (EI).

Key Findings

The researchers made several important discoveries:

  • ERAV was the only virus found to be circulating in the racehorse yard consistently throughout the study period.
  • A significant correlation was found between the presence of ERAV and clinical respiratory disease in horses.
  • Furthermore, there was a strong association between seroconversion to ERAV and the horse’s failure to race, suggesting a potentially negative impact of ERAV infection on the horse’s racing performance.
  • A considerable percentage, over 55% of the two-year-olds involved in the study, showed seroconversion to ERAV, especially in the months of May and June.
  • In contrast, only a single seroconversion to ERAV was observed among older horses. Moreover, these older horses did not exhibit signs of respiratory disease and continued to perform well in races throughout the study period.

Conclusion of the Study

Based on the data gathered:

  • The study concluded that ERAV might play a crucial role in disrupting the training of young horses, a factor that possibly has been underestimated till now.
  • The study hypothesizes that the impact of ERAV on the racing capability of Thoroughbred racehorses, particularly young ones, warrants further research and attention in equine health management.

Cite This Article

APA
Back H, Weld J, Walsh C, Cullinane A. (2019). Equine Rhinitis A Virus Infection in Thoroughbred Racehorses-A Putative Role in Poor Performance? Viruses, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/v11100963

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10

Researcher Affiliations

Back, Helena
  • Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, SE-751-89 Uppsala, Sweden. Helena.Back@mpa.se.
Weld, John
  • Riverdown, Barrettstown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare W12HD83, Ireland. johnweld1@eircom.net.
Walsh, Cathal
  • Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick V94 T9PX, Ireland. Cathal.Walsh@ul.ie.
Cullinane, Ann
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. KildareW91RH93, Ireland. ACullinane@irishequinecentre.ie.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Aphthovirus / immunology
  • Breeding
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses / virology
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Picornaviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Running
  • Sports

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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