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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2022; 11(5); 574; doi: 10.3390/pathogens11050574

Investigation of the Use of Non-Invasive Samples for the Molecular Detection of EHV-1 in Horses with and without Clinical Infection.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore sampling options for a reliable and logistically more feasible protocol during a large EHV-1 outbreak. Seventeen horses with clinical infection as well as nineteen healthy herdmates, all part of an EHM outbreak, were enrolled in the study. Each horse was sampled two-four times at intervals of 2-6 days during the outbreak. All samples were collected using 6'' rayon-tipped swabs. Nasal secretions were used as the diagnostic sample of choice. Additional samples, including swabs from the muzzle/nares, swabs from the front limbs, rectal swabs, swabs of the feed bin, and swabs of the water troughs were collected as well. All swabs were tested for the presence of EHV-1 by qPCR. With the exception of two EHV-1 qPCR-positive swabs from two different horses, all remaining swabs collected from healthy herdmates tested qPCR-negative for EHV-1. For horses with clinical infection, EHV-1 was detected in 31 nasal swabs, 30 muzzle/nares swabs, 7 front limb swabs, 7 feeders, 6 water troughs and 6 rectal swabs. Not all positive muzzle/nares swabs correlated with a positive nasal swab from the same set, however, and all other positive swabs did correlate with a positive nasal swab in their respective set. The agreement between nasal swabs and muzzle/nares swabs was 74%. The sampling of non-invasive swabs from the muzzle/nares should facilitate the identification of EHV-1 shedders during an outbreak, allowing for prompt isolation and implementation of biosecurity measures.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-13 PubMed ID: 35631095PubMed Central: PMC9144909DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050574Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This study investigated various non-invasive sampling methods for detecting Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) during outbreaks, and they found that swabs from the muzzle/nares could be a reliable and practical option.

Objective

Research aimed to identify convenient and reliable sampling methods during a large outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The focus was on non-invasive samples from both infected and healthy horses.

Methodology

  • Researchers enrolled seventeen horses with clinical infection and nineteen healthy ones, all part of an Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) outbreak.
  • Each horse underwent sampling 2-4 times at 2-6 day intervals.
  • Samples were collected using 6” rayon-tipped swabs from varied locations such as nasal secretions, muzzle/nares, front limbs, rectum, feed bin, and water troughs.

Detection and Analysis of EHV-1

  • The presence of EHV-1 in these samples was detected by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).
  • Apart from two qPCR-positive swabs from healthy horses, all other samples from this group were negative for EHV-1.
  • Among infected horses, EHV-1 was most detectable in nasal and muzzle/nares swabs.
  • Not every positive muzzle/nares swab corresponded with a positive nasal swab from the same set. However, other positive swabs did correlate with a positive nasal swab within their sets.
  • There was a 74% agreement between nasal swabs and muzzle/nares swabs and is thus seen as a plausible sampling method during an outbreak.

Significance

  • The findings suggest that non-invasive swabs from the muzzle/nares could be a practical and reliable method for identifying EHV-1 shedders during large outbreaks.
  • This approach allows for quick isolation of infected horses, facilitating swift execution of biosecurity measures, which may control and limit the spread of the virus.

Cite This Article

APA
Price D, Barnum S, Mize J, Pusterla N. (2022). Investigation of the Use of Non-Invasive Samples for the Molecular Detection of EHV-1 in Horses with and without Clinical Infection. Pathogens, 11(5), 574. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11050574

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5
PII: 574

Researcher Affiliations

Price, Danielle
  • Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, Menlo Park Clinic, Menlo Park, CA 94028, USA.
Barnum, Samantha
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Mize, Jenny
  • Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, Menlo Park Clinic, Menlo Park, CA 94028, USA.
Pusterla, Nicola
  • Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Grant Funding

  • Not applicable / Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds

Conflict of Interest Statement

D.P., S.B., J.M. and N.P. declare no conflict of interest. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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  2. Pusterla N, Lawton K, Barnum S, Magdesian KG. Comparison of Nose Wipes, Stall Sponges, and Air Samples with Nasal Secretions for the Molecular Detection of Equine Influenza Virus in Clinically and Subclinically Infected Horses. Viruses 2025 Mar 20;17(3).
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