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Veterinary pathology2000; 37(4); 287-296; doi: 10.1354/vp.37-4-287

Equine viral arteritis.

Abstract: Equine viral arteritis (EVA) can cause prominent economic losses for the equine industry. The purpose of this review is to provide the pathologist some familiarity with the clinical history, lesions, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of EVA. EVA is caused by an arterivirus (equine arteritis virus, EAV), and the vascular system is the principal but not unique viral target. EVA has variable presentations, including interstitial pneumonia, panvasculitis with edema, thrombosis and hemorrhage, lymphoid necrosis, renal tubular necrosis, abortion, and inflammation of male accessory genital glands. EAV antigen (EAVAg) can be demonstrated within the cytoplasm of epithelial cells such as alveolar pneumocytes, enterocytes, adrenal cortical cells, trophoblasts, thymus stroma, renal tubular cells, and male accessory genital gland cells. It can be also demonstrated within endothelia, in vascular, myometrial, and cardiac myocytes, macrophages, dendritelike cells of lymphoid organs, and chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells. In young and adult horses, following colonization of macrophages, the virus spreads systemically using circulating monocytes and enters the endothelium and tunica media of blood vessels, histiocytes, and dendritelike cells. Eventually, the virus multiplies within renal tubular cells. Lesions are uncommon in the aborted fetus; if present, they are mild, and EAVAg is frequently not detectable within fetal tissues and placenta. The clinical presentation and lesions of EVA may resemble those of other diseases. Complete pathologic examination associated with immunohistochemistry, virus isolation, and, especially in cases of abortion, serology will guarantee a directed and accurate diagnosis.
Publication Date: 2000-07-15 PubMed ID: 10896389DOI: 10.1354/vp.37-4-287Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Review

Summary

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The research article discusses equine viral arteritis (EVA), a disease that significantly impacts the equine industry. It covers the disease’s pathogenesis, clinical history, lesions, and diagnostic methods.

Objective of the Research

  • The study aims to brief pathologists on equine viral arteritis (EVA), focusing on its clinical history, lesions, pathogenesis, and diagnostic practices.

Causal Agent of Equine Viral Arteritis

  • EVA is caused by equine arteritis virus (EAV), an arterivirus, primarily targeting the vascular system.

Presentations of Equine Viral Arteritis

  • The disease presents itself in various forms including interstitial pneumonia, panvasculitis with edema, lymphoid necrosis, renal tubular necrosis, thrombosis and hemorrhage, abortion and inflammation in the male accessory genital glands.

Location of EAV Antigen

  • EAV antigen can be found within the cytoplasm of many cell types such as alveolar pneumocytes, enterocytes, thymus stroma, renal tubular cells, adrenal cortical cells, trophoblasts, and cells in the male accessory genital gland.
  • The antigen can also be demonstrated in endothelia, myometrial cells, cardiac myocytes, macrophages, dendrite-like cells in lymphoid organs, chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells, and histiocytes.

Disease Pathogenesis

  • In young and adult horses, the virus initially colonizes macrophages before spreading systemically via circulating monocytes.
  • It gains entry into various cells and structures, including the endothelium and tunica media of blood vessels, histiocytes, and dendrite-like cells, where it starts to multiply, particularly in renal tubular cells.

Pathology in Fetal Tissues and Placenta

  • The disease seldom causes lesions in an aborted fetus, and if they do occur, they are generally mild. Similarly, the EAV antigen is often not detectable in fetal tissues and the placenta.

Diagnosis of Equine Viral Arteritis

  • As EVA presents similarly to other diseases, a comprehensive pathological examination combined with immunohistochemistry, virus isolation, and particularly serology in cases of abortion, is essential for an accurate diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Del Piero F. (2000). Equine viral arteritis. Vet Pathol, 37(4), 287-296. https://doi.org/10.1354/vp.37-4-287

Publication

ISSN: 0300-9858
NlmUniqueID: 0312020
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 4
Pages: 287-296

Researcher Affiliations

Del Piero, F
  • Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square 19348-1692, USA. fdp@vet.upenn.edu

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arterivirus Infections / economics
  • Arterivirus Infections / pathology
  • Arterivirus Infections / veterinary
  • Carrier State / veterinary
  • Equartevirus
  • Horse Diseases / economics
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Male

References

This article includes 61 references

Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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