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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Vet Sci / Hendra Virus Infection in Horses: A Review on Emerging Myste...
Journal of equine veterinary science2020; 91; 103149; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103149

Hendra Virus Infection in Horses: A Review on Emerging Mystery Paramyxovirus.

Abstract: Hendra virus (HeV) is a zoonotic paramyxovirus which causes acute and deadly infection in horses (Equus caballus). It is a rare and unmanaged emerging viral infection in horses which is harbored by bats of the genus Pteropus (Australian flying foxes or fruit bats). The virus is pleomorphic in shape and its genome contains nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA with 18234 nucleotides in length. The virus is transmitted from flying foxes to horses, horse to horse, and horse to humans. Human-to-human transmission of HeV infection is not reported yet. The infection of HeV in horses is highly variable and shows broad range of signs and lesions including distinct respiratory and neurological disorders. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs available for the treatment of HeV infection in horses. Vaccination is considered as prime option to prevent HeV infection in horses. A subunit vaccine, called as "Equivac HeV vaccine" has been approved recently for preventing this viral infection in horses. In addition, a plethora of common preventive strategies could help restrict the inter- and intra-species transmission of HeV. Considering the scanty but severe fatality cases of this mystery virus as well as lack of proper attention by veterinary scientists, this review article spotlights not only on the clinical signs, transmission, epidemiology, biology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of HeV but also the preventive managements of this uncommon infection in horses by vaccination and other precautious strategies.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-30 PubMed ID: 32684248DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103149Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article provides a comprehensive review of Hendra virus (HeV), a zoonotic disease that causes severe infections in horses, potentially transmitting to humans. The article explores the biology, transmission, and pathology of HeV, along with potential prevention strategies, while emphasizing the lack of specific antiviral treatments.

Overview of Hendra Virus

  • HeV is a rare, severely dangerous viral infection found primarily in horses. The virus originates from Pteropus bats, otherwise known as Australian flying foxes or fruit bats. The virus’s shape is pleomorphic and its genome contains nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA, measuring 18234 nucleotides.
  • The primary modes of transmission are from flying foxes to horses, from horse to horse, and from horse to human. There has currently been no reported case of human-to-human transmission.

Clinical Manifestations and Pathology of HeV

  • The impact of HeV in horses varies greatly and can manifest through respiratory and neurological disorders. The broad range of symptoms and lesions makes the virus particularly challenging to diagnose and manage.
  • The severe fatal cases, although rare, highlight the lack of attention this virus has received from the veterinary science community, despite its high risk.

Prevention and Treatment

  • Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs available for treating HeV in horses, making prevention the best means of controlling the virus.
  • The research identifies a subunit vaccine, named “Equivac HeV,” that has recently been approved for preventing HeV infections in horses.
  • Routine preventive strategies can help reduce both inter-species and intra-species transmissions of HeV. The article calls for more research to develop effective treatments, as the virus remains an emerging, mysterious, and unmanaged threat.

Cite This Article

APA
Khusro A, Aarti C, Pliego AB, Cipriano-Salazar M. (2020). Hendra Virus Infection in Horses: A Review on Emerging Mystery Paramyxovirus. J Equine Vet Sci, 91, 103149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103149

Publication

Journal of equine veterinary science
ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 91
Pages: 103149

Researcher Affiliations

Khusro, Ameer
  • Research Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: armankhan0301@gmail.com.
Aarti, Chirom
  • Research Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Pliego, Alberto Barbabosa
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Mexico. Electronic address: abarbabosa@yahoo.com.mx.
Cipriano-Salazar, Moises
  • Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Cd. Altamirano, Guerrero, México.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Chiroptera
  • Hendra Virus
  • Henipavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Henipavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Paramyxovirinae / genetics

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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