Further properties of equine arteritis virus.

This research article investigates the properties of two strains of Equine Arteritis Virus, one from America and one from Switzerland, revealing that they share certain features, like heat sensitivity and inactivation by MgCl2, which aren’t readily classifiable within existing virus groups. The authors note similarities between EAV and several other viruses, suggesting that they could belong to a new group of hemoviruses.

Equine Arteritis Virus Investigation

• The research focuses on studying further characteristics of the Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV), particularly two strains known as Bucyrus (American) and Bibuna (Swiss). This virus predominantly affects horses but can also infect other animals.
• The researchers determined that the size of the virus particle for both strains lies between 50 and 100 mμ (micromicrons). In biology, this sizing is crucial as it can influence how the virus infects cells and spreads.

Findings: Resistance and Sensitivity

• Another significant finding in the investigation showed that both strains of EAV were resistant to trypsin treatment. Trypsin is an enzyme often used in scientific research to break down proteins. This resistance suggests a certain level of resilience in the virus against enzymatic degradation.
• The strains demonstrated substantial sensitivity towards heat and low pH conditions, indicating that high temperatures or acidic environments could hamper the virus’s survival.
• They found that both strains were neutralized by molar MgCl2, which indicates a possible means of controlling or inhibiting the virus.

Classification and Comparison

• When these new findings were added to earlier established properties of EAV by the researchers, such as RNA content and sensitivity to lipid solvents, they concluded that EAV does not easily fit into any of the current defined groups of viruses. This suggests a unique set of features that mark out equine arteritis virus from other known viruses.
• Noticing parallels between EAV and the viruses responsible for hog cholera, bovine virus diarrhea, and potentially human hepatitis, the researchers propose a hypothesis that these viruses might belong under a new group, tentatively labeled as ‘hemoviruses’.