Isolation and partial sequencing of Equid herpesvirus 5 from a horse in Iceland.

This research article discusses the isolation and partial sequencing of Equid herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5), a type of gammaherpesvirus found in horses, in Iceland. The study not only isolated the virus but also sequences several genes found in EHV-5, contributing significantly to the existing research on this type of virus.

Introduction and Background

• The study aims to isolate and partially sequence the Equid herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) from a horse in Iceland.
• EHV-5, together with Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2), makes up the 2 known types of gammaherpesviruses found in horses. Both types of viruses are common amongst horses in Iceland.
• Before this study, the only gene that has been fully sequenced in EHV-5 is the glycoprotein B gene. Small parts of the glycoprotein H, DNA polymerase, and DNA terminase genes have also been sequenced.

Methods

• The study extracted an Icelandic EHV-5 isolate using sequential culture in primary fetal horse kidney and rabbit kidney cells. This process allows the isolation and cultivation of the virus for further study.

Findings

• The study was able to fully sequence the glycoprotein B, glycoprotein H, and DNA terminase genes of the isolated EHV-5 virus.
• The DNA polymerase gene was also partially sequenced on this study, contributing to the existing sequencing of this gene from previous studies.

Significance

• This study greatly contributes to the existing knowledge of the EHV-5 virus. Previously, only the glycoprotein B gene has been fully sequenced, with some parts of the glycoprotein H, DNA polymerase, and DNA terminase genes also sequenced. The full sequencing of the glycoprotein B, glycoprotein H, and DNA terminase genes, as well as the additional sequencing of the DNA polymerase gene, provides a more in-depth understanding of the genetic makeup of the EHV-5 virus, aiding future research and possible treatments.