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Emerging microbes & infections2018; 7(1); 170; doi: 10.1038/s41426-018-0174-2

Identification and genetic characterization of a novel parvovirus associated with serum hepatitis in horses in China.

Abstract: A novel equine parvovirus, equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H), was first discovered in a horse that died of equine serum hepatitis in the USA in 2018. EqPV-H was shown to be a novel etiological agent associated with equine serum hepatitis. Following this initial report, no additional studies on EqPV-H have been published. In this study, a total of 143 serum samples were collected from racehorses at 5 separate farms in China and were analyzed to detect EqPV-H DNA via nested PCR. The results indicated a high prevalence of EqPV-H (11.9%, 17/143) in the studied animals. In addition, a remarkably high coinfection rate (58.8%, 10/17) with 2 equine flaviviruses (equine hepacivirus and equine pegivirus) was observed in the EqPV-H positive equines. However, all equines tested negative for Theiler's disease-associated virus, an etiological agent associated with equine serum hepatitis. The genomes of six field EqPV-H strains were sequenced and analyzed, with the results indicating that the Chinese EqPV-H strains have low genetic diversity and high genetic similarity with the USA EqPV-H strain BCT-01. A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Chinese EqPV-H strains clustered with BCT-01 in the genus Copiparvovirus but were distantly related to another equine parvovirus identified in horse cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, liver enzyme levels were detected in the EqPV-H positive serum samples, and all the values were in the normal range, indicating that infection can occur without concurrent liver disease. This study will promote an understanding of the geographical distribution, genetic diversity, and pathogenicity of EqPV-H.
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Publication Date: 2018-10-23 PubMed ID: 30348940PubMed Central: PMC6198012DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0174-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The study reports the identification and genetic characterization of a previously unstudied parvovirus, equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H), found in serum samples from racehorses in China. This research will help with greater understanding of the geographical distribution, diversity, and potential harm posed by this virus.

Study Design and Methods

  • The researchers collected 143 serum samples from racehorses across 5 different farms in China.
  • The samples were then analyzed through a detection method called nested PCR to identify the presence of EqPV-H DNA.
  • The team also performed genome sequencing and analysis on six field strains of EqPV-H to explore their genetic compositions and diversity.
  • Liver enzyme levels were checked in the EqPV-H positive serum samples to see if the presence of the virus coincided with liver disease.

Key Findings

  • Analysis of the serum samples showed that 11.9% (or, 17 out of 143) of the horses had EqPV-H.
  • Interestingly, a coinfection rate of 58.8%, with two other equine flaviviruses (equine hepacivirus and equine pegivirus), was seen in the horses tested positive for EqPV-H.
  • All the horses tested negative for Theiler’s disease-associated virus, another cause of equine serum hepatitis.
  • Genetic analysis revealed that the Chinese strains of EqPV-H have low genetic diversity and are closely related to the US strain BCT-01. Along with BCT-01, Chinese strains also clustered in the genus Copiparvovirus, but were different from another equine parvovirus found in horse cerebrospinal fluid.
  • In terms of pathogenicity, it was found that although EqPV-H infection was present, all liver enzyme values remained within the normal range, suggesting that an infection with this virus doesn’t necessarily cause liver disease.

Impact of the Study

  • This research extends our understanding of EqPV-H, particularly its geographical distribution and genetic diversity.
  • The study provides an initial picture of potential horse coinfection rates with EqPV-H and other equine flaviviruses – a relevant piece of information for the future development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
  • The seemingly harmless nature of this virus on liver health, as suggested by this study, raises questions about the pathogenicity of EqPV-H and underlines the need for more comprehensive research on its impacts.

Cite This Article

APA
Lu G, Sun L, Ou J, Xu H, Wu L, Li S. (2018). Identification and genetic characterization of a novel parvovirus associated with serum hepatitis in horses in China. Emerg Microbes Infect, 7(1), 170. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41426-018-0174-2

Publication

Emerging microbes & infections
ISSN: 2222-1751
NlmUniqueID: 101594885
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 170

Researcher Affiliations

Lu, Gang
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Sun, Lingshuang
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Ou, Jiajun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Xu, Haibin
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Wu, Liyan
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Li, Shoujun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.
  • Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.
  • Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, Guangdong Province, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. shoujunli@scau.edu.cn.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Animal / virology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Parvoviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Parvoviridae Infections / virology
  • Parvovirus / chemistry
  • Parvovirus / classification
  • Parvovirus / genetics
  • Parvovirus / isolation & purification
  • Phylogeny

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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