Interspecies transmission of equine influenza virus (H3N8) to dogs by close contact with experimentally infected horses.
Abstract: In horse populations, influenza A virus subtype H3N8 (equine influenza virus, EIV) is a very important pathogen that leads to acute respiratory disease. Recently, EIV has emerged in dogs, and has become widespread among the canine population in the United States. The interspecies transmission route had thus far remained unclear. Here, we tested whether the interspecies transmission of EIV to dogs could occur as a result of close contact with experimentally EIV-infected horses. Three pairs consisting of an EIV-infected horse and a healthy dog were kept together in individual stalls for 15 consecutive days. A subsequent hemagglutination inhibition test revealed that all three dogs exhibited seroconversion. Moreover, two of the three dogs exhibited virus shedding. However, the dogs exhibited no clinical signs throughout the course of the study. These data suggest that the interspecies transmission of EIV to dogs could occur as a result of close contact with EIV-infected horses without clinical symptoms. Although the interspecies transmission of EIV is unlikely to become an immediate threat to canine hygiene, close contact between EIV-infected horses and dogs should be avoided during an EI epidemic.
Publication Date: 2009-06-21 PubMed ID: 19596528DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.015Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research study investigates how equine influenza virus (subtype H3N8), a type of virus causing respiratory disease in horses, could be transmitted to dogs. Interestingly, even without any visible symptoms, the results indicate that close contact between infected horses and dogs could enable the transmission of this virus.
Introduction
The research article revolves around studying the interspecies transmission route of an important pathogen, influenza A virus subtype H3N8, from horses to dogs. This virus, also known as equine influenza virus (EIV), often leads to acute respiratory disease in horse populations. More recently, the virus has also been identified in dogs, particularly in the United States. The researchers tested the possibility of this interspecies transmission occurring due to close contact with horses that have been experimentally infected with EIV.
Methodology
The study was conducted in a controlled environment where:
- Three pairs were formed, each pair consisting of an EIV-infected horse and a healthy dog.
- These pairs were kept together in separate stalls for a period of 15 consecutive days.
Results
Post the close-contact period a hemagglutination inhibition test was performed, and the results were:
- All three dogs underwent seroconversion, which suggests a successful transmission of the virus from the horses to the dogs.
- Two of the three dogs also showed signs of virus shedding, another significant marker indicating the successful transmission of the virus.
- None of the dogs, however, displayed any clinical symptoms throughout the course of the study.
Conclusions
Based on these observations, it is suggested that the transmission of EIV to dogs can occur through close contact with EIV-infected horses, even if these dogs do not exhibit any clinical symptoms. This has implications for how we manage contact between horses and dogs, particularly during an equine influenza epidemic. The researchers conclude that while the transmission of EIV is not likely to pose an immediate threat to the health of dogs, to mitigate risk, interaction between EIV-infected horses and dogs should be avoided.
Cite This Article
APA
Yamanaka T, Nemoto M, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T.
(2009).
Interspecies transmission of equine influenza virus (H3N8) to dogs by close contact with experimentally infected horses.
Vet Microbiol, 139(3-4), 351-355.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.015 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan. yamanaka@epizoo.equinst.go.jp
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dog Diseases / transmission
- Dog Diseases / virology
- Dogs
- Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / veterinary
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype
- Japan / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / transmission
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
- Virus Shedding
Citations
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