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Frequent presence of hepaci and pegiviruses in commercial equine serum pools.
Abstract: Novel viruses belonging to the genera Hepacivirus and Pegivirus have recently been discovered in horses and other animal species. Viral genomes of non-primate hepaciviruses (NPHV), equine pegivirus 1 (EPgV 1) and Theiler's disease associated virus (TDAV) were detected in a horse serum routinely used for cell culture propagation in our laboratory. Therefore, a study was carried out to further investigate the presence of these human Hepatitis C virus (HCV) related viruses in equine serum based products used in veterinary medicine and for research and to characterize the viral genomes. Without exception all commercially available equine sera purchased for cell culture propagation (n=6) were tested positive for NPHV, EPgV 1 or TDAV genomes by qRT-PCR. Molecular analyses of one single commercial horse serum from Europe confirmed multiple viral genomes, including two TDAV genomes significantly different from the only published TDAV sequence. Furthermore, multiple batches of horse serum pools (n=35) collected for manufacturing of biological products turned out to be positive for NPHV and EPgV 1 genomes. Nevertheless, the final commercial products (n=9) were exclusively tested qRT-PCR negative. Field samples (n=119) obtained from two premises located in the same region as the donor horses were analyzed, demonstrating the frequent presence of NPHV and EPgV 1, but the absence of TDAV genomes. The presence of NPHV, EPgV 1 and TDAV in commercial equine sera and serum based products could have considerable consequences for biosecurity and may also bias the outcome of research studies conducted with related viruses.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2015-11-01 PubMed ID: 26711022DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.10.032Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study reveals the consistent presence of novel viruses including non-primate hepaciviruses (NPHV), equine pegivirus 1 (EPgV 1), and Theiler’s disease associated virus (TDAV) in commercial horse serum frequently used in veterinary medicine and research. Although these viruses were detected in raw serum, the final commercial products tested negative.
Background of the Study
- The study emerged due to the detection of unfamiliar viruses that belong to the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera, initially detected in horses and some other animal species.
- These viruses were identified in horse serum usually utilized for cell culture propagation in labs. This prompted a broader study to investigate the prevalence of these viruses in equine serum-based products utilized in veterinary medicine and research.
Research Methodology
- The research team bought commercially available equine sera used for cell culture propagation and tested each for the presence of NPHV, EPgV 1 or TDAV genomes using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) – a method to detect genetic material from the viruses.
- Through molecular analyses, they confirmed the presence of multiple viral genomes in a single commercial horse serum from Europe, including two TDAV genomes.
- In addition to this, batches of horse serum collected for creating biological products were also tested and found to have NPHV and EPgV 1 genomes. However, the final commercial products were tested negative for virus genome by qRT-PCR.
- Field samples were obtained from two premises located in the same region as the serum-donating horses to determine the local prevalence of these viruses. This analysis revealed the frequent presence of NPHV and EPgV 1 but absence of TDAV genomes.
Implications of the Findings
- The consistent presence of NPHV, EPgV 1, and TDAV in commercial horse serum and serum-based products could have substantial biosecurity implications.
- This may introduce concerns about contamination and cross-reactivity in laboratory studies, potentially skewing the results of research involving these or related viruses.
Conclusion
- The research findings highlight a potential biosecurity issue with regular use of commercial equine sera in veterinary medicine and research that needs to be addressed to prevent any negative implications on research outcomes and biosecurity.
Cite This Article
APA
Postel A, Cavalleri JM, Pfaender S, Walter S, Steinmann E, Fischer N, Feige K, Haas L, Becher P.
(2015).
Frequent presence of hepaci and pegiviruses in commercial equine serum pools.
Vet Microbiol, 182, 8-14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.10.032 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany;
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg- Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany;
- Institute for Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: Paul.Becher@tiho-hannover.de.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Flaviviridae / isolation & purification
- Flaviviridae Infections / veterinary
- Flaviviridae Infections / virology
- Genome, Viral
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Phylogeny
- Prevalence
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Citations
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