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Virology journal2024; 21(1); 117; doi: 10.1186/s12985-024-02390-2

First identification and isolation of equine herpesvirus type 1 in aborted fetal lung tissues of donkeys.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is commonly associated with horse abortion. Currently, there are no reported cases of abortion resulting from EHV-1 infection in donkeys. This was the first survey-based study of Chinese donkeys. The presence of EHV-1 was identified by PCR. This survey was conducted in Chabuchar County, North Xinjiang, China, in 2020. A donkey EHV-1 strain (Chabuchar/2020) was successfully isolated in MDBK cells. Seventy-two of 100 donkey sera were able to neutralize the isolated EHV-1. Moreover, the ORF33 sequence of the donkey-origin EHV-1 Chabuchar/2020 strain showed high levels of similarity in both its nucleotide (99.7‒100%) and amino acid (99.5‒100%) sequences, with those of horse EHV-1 strains. EHV-1 Chabuchar/2020 showed significant consistency and was classified within cluster 1 of horse EHV-1 strains. Further, analysis of the expected ORF30 nucleotide sequence revealed that donkey EHV-1 strains contained guanine at position 2254, resulting in a change to aspartic acid at position 752 of the viral DNA polymerase. Therefore, these strains were classified as horse neuropathogenic strains. Lastly, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using the partial ORF68 nucleotide sequences, showing that the identified donkey EHV-1 strain and the EHV-1 strain found in aborted Yili horses in China comprised a novel independent VIII group. This study showed the first isolation and identification of EHV-1 as an etiological agent of abortions in donkeys. Further analysis of the ORF33, ORF30, and ORF68 sequences indicated that the donkey EHV-1 contained the neuropathogenic genotype of strains in the VIII group. It is thus important to be aware of EHV-1 infection in the donkey population, even though the virus has only been identified in donkey abortions in China.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-05-27 PubMed ID: 38802935PubMed Central: PMC11131334DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02390-2Google 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.

Overview

  • This study reports the first identification and isolation of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) from aborted fetal lung tissues of donkeys.
  • The research provides molecular characterization of the donkey-derived EHV-1 strain and shows it shares neuropathogenic features typically seen in horse strains.

Background

  • EHV-1 is a well-known viral agent causing abortions in horses but had not previously been reported in donkeys as an abortive agent.
  • Donkey abortions linked to EHV-1 had not been studied or documented prior to this research.
  • The virus affects the equine population by causing reproductive failure and neurological disease, making its study important for animal health management.

Study Location and Sample Collection

  • The survey was conducted in 2020 in Chabuchar County, North Xinjiang, China, focusing on donkey populations.
  • Aborted fetal lung tissues from donkeys were collected and tested for the presence of EHV-1.

Virus Identification and Isolation

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect the presence of EHV-1 DNA in fetal lung tissue samples.
  • A novel donkey-origin EHV-1 strain was isolated and named “Chabuchar/2020.”
  • The isolation was performed in MDBK (Madin-Darby bovine kidney) cell cultures, a common system for herpesvirus propagation.

Serological Findings

  • Out of 100 tested donkey serum samples, 72 had the ability to neutralize the isolated EHV-1 strain.
  • This indicates a relatively high seroprevalence and active immune response against EHV-1 among the donkey population in the surveyed area.

Molecular and Genetic Characterization

  • The viral open reading frame 33 (ORF33) gene sequence of the donkey EHV-1 strain was nearly identical to horse EHV-1 strains, with 99.7–100% nucleotide similarity and 99.5–100% amino acid similarity.
  • Phylogenetic analysis placed the donkey strain within cluster 1 of horse EHV-1 strains, indicating close genetic relatedness.
  • The ORF30 gene, encoding viral DNA polymerase, was analyzed at nucleotide position 2254.
  • Presence of guanine at position 2254 leads to an aspartic acid substitution at amino acid 752, a mutation associated with neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1.
  • This confirmed that the donkey strain carries the neuropathogenic genotype usually linked to more severe disease outcomes.
  • The ORF68 gene partial nucleotide sequence was used to build a phylogenetic tree revealing that the donkey strain and previously identified EHV-1 from aborted Yili horses in China form a novel independent group, called group VIII.

Significance of Findings

  • This is the first study to isolate and identify EHV-1 as a causative agent of abortion in donkeys.
  • The high sequence similarity to horse strains suggests cross-species genetic conservation and potentially similar pathogenic mechanisms.
  • Detection of the neuropathogenic genotype in donkeys raises concerns about the potential for neurological disease and highlights the need for monitoring donkey populations.
  • Identification of a novel phylogenetic group (VIII) extends understanding of EHV-1 diversity and evolution, especially in Chinese equine populations.
  • Results emphasize the importance of including donkeys in EHV-1 surveillance programs to prevent and control virus spread and associated reproductive losses.

Conclusions and Implications

  • This research provides critical baseline data confirming that EHV-1 can cause abortions in donkeys.
  • Molecular characterization indicates these donkey EHV-1 strains are closely related to neuropathogenic horse strains, suggesting similar risks.
  • Veterinarians and animal health authorities should be aware of EHV-1 as an emerging cause of donkey abortions, particularly in China but potentially elsewhere.
  • Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and clinical consequences of EHV-1 in donkeys globally.

Cite This Article

APA
Tong P, Pan J, Dang Y, Yang E, Jia C, Duan R, Tian S, Palidan N, Kuang L, Wang C, Lu G, Xie J. (2024). First identification and isolation of equine herpesvirus type 1 in aborted fetal lung tissues of donkeys. Virol J, 21(1), 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-024-02390-2

Publication

Virology journal
ISSN: 1743-422X
NlmUniqueID: 101231645
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 117
PII: 117

Researcher Affiliations

Tong, Panpan
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Pan, Juanjuan
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Dang, Yueyi
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Yang, Enhui
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Jia, Chenyang
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Duan, Ruli
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Tian, Shuyao
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Palidan, Nuerlan
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Kuang, Ling
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Wang, Chuanfeng
  • Key laboratory for animal disease detection, College of Animal Sciences, Yili Vocational and Technical College, Yili, Xinjiang, China. 252606782@qq.com.
Lu, Gang
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. LG@scau.edu.cn.
Xie, Jinxin
  • Laboratory of Animal Etiology and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. xiejinxin198683@163.com.
  • Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. xiejinxin198683@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / classification
  • China
  • Phylogeny
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Lung / virology
  • Aborted Fetus / virology
  • Female
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Pregnancy
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Grant Funding

  • 2022D01A167 / the Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
  • 32060808 / National Natural Science Foundation of China

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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