Immunohistochemical and molecular detection of equine herpesvirus 1 in Uruguay.

This research investigates the presence of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), a virus causing various disorders in horses, in Uruguay’s equine population. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histological and immunohistochemical techniques, the findings confirm EHV-1 activity in Uruguay for the first time.

Introduction

• The research delves into the investigation of the occurrence of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in the equine population of Uruguay. EHV-1 is a consequential virus causing various health issues in horses, including epidemic abortion, neonatal mortality, respiratory diseases, and neurological disorders.
• Previously, this virus was identified in other South American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. There were some pathological findings reported in Uruguay as well, but the data were never officially approved.

Methods and Materials

• The study made use of various techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histological and immunohistochemical analyses to detect and confirm EHV-1 presence.
• The PCR technique was used specifically for amplifying and analysing a portion of the glycoprotein C gene of EHV-1, hence confirming its activity.

Results

• The results of the PCR and histological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the first-ever presence and activity of EHV-1 in Uruguay.
• The real-time PCR findings indicated the association of the virus with the non-neuropathogenic genotype, which suggests that the EHV-1 virus found in Uruguay is not associated with neurological diseases in horses.

Conclusion

• The research successfully confirms, for the first time in Uruguay, the presence of EHV-1 using immunohistochemical and molecular detection methods. This identification is vital to help manage and prevent further spread of the virus among the country’s equine population.