First Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) in Iran.
Abstract: The recent identification of novel viruses associated with hepatitis in horses has prompted equine veterinarians to investigate the viral factors contributing to equine hepatitis. Hepacivirus equi (EqHV), a member of the Flaviviridae family within the Hepacivirus genus, has been detected in horses affected by hepatitis. Globally, EqHV is highly conserved, existing as a single genotype with three distinct subtypes (Subtypes 1-3). Numerous studies have detected the virus by PCR and identified EqHV-specific antibodies through serological tests in different regions worldwide. However, to the best of our knowledge, no published research has investigated the presence of EqHV in the horse population of Iran. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the presence of Hepacivirus equi in Iran's horse population and to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the detected strains. Methods: A total of 150 whole blood samples were collected from horses (Equus caballus) across various locations in Khuzestan Province, Iran. Molecular assays were used to detect the EqHV genetic material. Results: This study confirms the presence of EqHV in the equine population of Khuzestan, Iran, with an average prevalence of 4.66%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain identified in this study, designated as 'IR1-Ahvaz-2024', belongs to EqHV-1 subtype. The sequence identified in this study has been submitted to GenBank under accession number PQ848112. Conclusions: The detection of EqHV in Iran's horse population is of potential significance to manufacturers and users of equine-derived biological products, both in Iran and in countries that import these products. These findings highlight the need for further research and surveillance to assess the potential impact of EqHV on equine health in the region.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-12-20 PubMed ID: 41420497PubMed Central: PMC12717627DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70737Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This research identified and analyzed for the first time the presence of Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) in horses in Iran, specifically in Khuzestan Province, and classified the strain found through phylogenetic analysis.
Introduction
- Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) is a recently identified virus linked to hepatitis in horses.
- EqHV is part of the Flaviviridae family and Hepacivirus genus.
- Worldwide, EqHV has one genotype with three subtypes (1 to 3), indicating low genetic variability.
- Detection methods for EqHV include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to find viral genetic material and serological assays to detect antibodies.
- Prior to this study, no research had confirmed the presence of EqHV in horse populations in Iran.
Objectives
- To detect the presence of EqHV in the horse population of Iran, specifically in Khuzestan Province.
- To perform phylogenetic analysis to classify the detected viral strains and understand their genetic relationship to known EqHV lineages.
Methods
- Sample Collection: 150 whole blood samples were collected from domestic horses (Equus caballus) at multiple locations in Khuzestan Province, Iran.
- Molecular Testing: PCR assays were implemented to detect EqHV RNA, confirming viral genetic material presence.
Results
- EqHV was detected in the Iranian horse population with an overall prevalence of 4.66% among the sampled horses.
- The identified viral strain was named ‘IR1-Ahvaz-2024’.
- Phylogenetic analysis categorized this strain within the EqHV-1 subtype, one of the three known subtypes worldwide.
- The genetic sequence for IR1-Ahvaz-2024 was submitted to the GenBank database with accession number PQ848112, making it publicly available for comparison and future research.
Conclusions and Implications
- This is the first confirmation of EqHV in Iran, expanding the known geographic distribution of this virus.
- The presence of EqHV in Iranian horses could have important repercussions for the equine industry, especially for manufacturers and users of equine-derived biological products (e.g., serum and vaccines), both domestically and internationally.
- Since Iran exports these biological products, EqHV may have implications for international equine health and biosecurity regulations.
- The study underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and research to understand how EqHV affects equine health, its transmission dynamics, and to develop appropriate management strategies in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Pourmahdi Borujeni M, Ghobadian Diali H, Mashhadi AG, Aliabad MJ.
(2025).
First Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) in Iran.
Vet Med Sci, 12(1), e70737.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70737 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Iran / epidemiology
- Phylogeny
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Hepacivirus / genetics
- Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
- Hepacivirus / classification
- Hepatitis C / veterinary
- Hepatitis C / virology
- Hepatitis C / epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / virology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / epidemiology
Grant Funding
- SCU.VF1403.637 / Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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