Equine rhinitis B virus: a new serotype.

The research paper proposes the identification of a new serotype of the Equine rhinitis B virus named ERBV2, which seems to be fairly common in Australian horses.

Research Methodology

• The study focuses on the equine rhinovirus serotype 3 isolate P313/75 that has been assigned to the family PICORNAVIRIDAE, albeit with an unclassified genus status.
• Researchers decoded the sequence extending from the 5′ poly(C) tract to the 3′ poly(A) tract of this isolate, which contains an open reading frame (a sequence of DNA that could potentially encode a protein) for a polyprotein of 2583 amino acids.
• They draw parallels between this sequence and the prototype equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) strain P1436/71, previously known as equine rhinovirus type 2.
• The study found a high degree of sequence similarity in the P2 and P3 regions of the two viral genomes.

Findings

• Despite the similarities found in the P2 and P3 regions, significant differences were observed in the P1 region. The researchers deduced that these differences in the amino acid sequences of the P1 region between P313/75 and ERBV strain P1436/71 contribute to the segregation of the two viruses at the serological level (a method for identifying antibodies in blood serum).
• Based on these differences, the team suggests that P313/75 be classified as a new serotype of the genus Erbovirus, given the tentative name ERBV2.

Implications and Future Research

• The research also presents seroepidemiological data (a method of studying the distribution and determinants of health-associated events) suggesting that ERBV2 infection in horses might be common in Australia, with a prevalence rate of 24%.
• This finding underscores the need for further research and surveillance of ERBV2 in horse populations, to better understand its prevalence, transmission characteristics, and potential impact on equine health.