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Human Adenovirus 36 Antibodies in Horses with Different Metabolic Statuses.
Abstract: This study investigated the presence of antibodies to human adenovirus type 36 (HAdV-D36) in horses with different metabolic statuses, including normal, overweight, and those diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). A total of 151 serum samples were tested, of which 47.6% were positive for anti-HAdV-D36 antibodies. Although the horses were confirmed to be susceptible to HAdV-D36 infection, there was no significant correlation between infection and blood glucose or cholesterol levels. However, the triglyceride levels showed significant differences-they were particularly elevated in the seropositive horses with EMS. These findings suggest that the virus may act by a different mechanism in horses than in other species, and highlight the need for further research to understand its role in horses.
Publication Date: 2025-08-27 PubMed ID: 40941322PubMed Central: PMC12427495DOI: 10.3390/ani15172527Google 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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Overview
- This study examined whether horses with varying metabolic conditions have antibodies against human adenovirus type 36 (HAdV-D36), focusing on links between infection status and metabolic indicators.
- Results showed almost half of the horses carried antibodies, indicating exposure, but infection was not clearly linked to blood glucose or cholesterol levels, though triglycerides were notably higher in infected horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS).
Introduction and Background
- Human adenovirus type 36 (HAdV-D36) has been associated with obesity and metabolic changes in humans and some animal models.
- Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a condition in horses analogous to metabolic syndromes in humans, involving obesity, insulin dysregulation, and increased risk of laminitis.
- The study aimed to investigate whether horses, across a spectrum of metabolic statuses (normal, overweight, EMS), carry antibodies against HAdV-D36, indicating previous exposure or infection.
Methodology
- A total of 151 serum samples were collected from horses categorized by metabolic status.
- Serological testing was conducted to detect the presence of antibodies against HAdV-D36, which would signal prior infection or exposure to the virus.
- Blood parameters measured included glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides to assess metabolic conditions and potential correlations with viral exposure.
Key Findings
- Nearly 47.6% of the horse serum samples tested positive for anti-HAdV-D36 antibodies, confirming that horses can be infected or exposed to this human adenovirus.
- No significant correlation was observed between antibody positivity and blood glucose levels, implying infection does not affect glucose metabolism in horses as it might in other species.
- Cholesterol levels also showed no significant differences between seropositive and seronegative horses.
- However, triglyceride levels were significantly higher in seropositive horses with EMS compared to others, suggesting a potential interaction between viral exposure and lipid metabolism in metabolically compromised horses.
Interpretation and Implications
- The fact that nearly half of the horses had antibodies reflects that HAdV-D36 can infect horses, crossing species barriers from humans to equines or vice versa.
- The lack of consistent effects on glucose and cholesterol contrasts with findings in humans and animal models, where HAdV-D36 has been implicated in obesity and metabolic disruption, indicating species-specific differences.
- The elevation of triglycerides in EMS horses with antibodies might point to a distinct viral mechanism influencing lipid metabolism in horses, which warrants further investigation.
- Understanding whether HAdV-D36 contributes directly to the pathogenesis of EMS or other metabolic disorders in horses could have important implications for equine health management and adds a new dimension to studying viral impacts on metabolism.
Conclusions and Future Directions
- This study highlights the presence of HAdV-D36 infection in horses but shows that its metabolic effects differ from other species.
- Further research is needed to explore the mechanistic role of HAdV-D36 in horses, particularly how it might influence triglyceride metabolism and EMS development.
- Longitudinal studies and experimental infection models could clarify causality and pathophysiological pathways.
- Expanding viral screening in equine populations may uncover broader epidemiological insights and potential zoonotic or cross-species viral dynamics.
Cite This Article
APA
Chwirot A, Niedźwiedź A, Stygar D, Siwińska N, Paszkowska M, Niżański W, Napierkowska S, Migdał P, Kublicka A, Marynowska M, Matczuk A, Fuller D, Bażanów B.
(2025).
Human Adenovirus 36 Antibodies in Horses with Different Metabolic Statuses.
Animals (Basel), 15(17), 2527.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15172527 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs, and Cats, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Jordana 19 Street, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs, and Cats, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
- Vetlab, Polish Veterinary Laboratories, 52-017 Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49 Street, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 49 Street, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland.
- Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Chełmońskiego 38 Street, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 31 Street, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland.
Grant Funding
- 1W/25 / The research was conducted as part of the statutory research of the Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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