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Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2021; 63(1); 6; doi: 10.1186/s13028-021-00572-4

Isolation of equid alphaherpesvirus 3 from a horse in Iceland with equine coital exanthema.

Abstract: Equine coital exanthema (ECE) caused by equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) is a contagious venereal disease. It is characterized by the formation of papules, vesicles, pustules and ulcers on the external genitals of both mares and stallions. The Icelandic horse is the only breed in Iceland and has lived isolated in the country for over 1000 years. Three types of equine herpesviruses (EHV) have been found in Iceland, EHV-4, EHV-2 and EHV-5, while EHV-1 has never been detected. Symptoms resembling ECE have previous been observed in horses in Iceland, arousing suspicion of EHV-3 infection, but this has never been confirmed using virological methods. Samples were collected from a mare with papules on the vulva and inoculated in primary equine kidney cells. Cytopathic effects developed as rounded cells and syncytial formation. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the partial glycoprotein G and DNA polymerase genes identified the isolated virus as EHV-3. On the basis of the findings, EHV-3 infection was verified for the first time in the native Icelandic horse population.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-02 PubMed ID: 33531030PubMed Central: PMC7856744DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00572-4Google 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 successful isolation and detection of alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), the cause of equine coital exanthema (ECE), a contagious venereal disease in horses, from a mare in Iceland. This marks the first time EHV-3 infection has been verified in the isolated Icelandic horse population.

Background of the Study

  • The research focuses on Equine coital exanthema (ECE), a contagious venereal disease in horses that is caused by equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV-3). This infection is marked by the formation of various skin disorders like papules, vesicles, pustules, and ulcers on the external genital organs of both male and female horses.
  • The Icelandic horse is the only breed in the country and has been isolated there for over a millennium. Earlier, three types of equine herpesviruses were found in these horses – EHV-4, EHV-2, and EHV-5. However, EHV-1 was never detected.
  • Before this study, there were observations of symptoms resembling ECE in horses in Iceland, raising suspicion of EHV-3 infection. Yet, it was never proven conclusively through virological methods.

Virus Isolation and Identification

  • In this study, samples were collected from a mare showing symptoms of the disease, particularly papules on the vulva. These samples were then inoculated into primary equine kidney cells.
  • Upon observation, researchers noticed cytopathic effects that developed as rounded cells and syncytial formation, hinting at a viral issue.
  • The virus was positively identified as EHV-3 by performing Polymerase Chain Reaction and sequencing part of the glycoprotein G and DNA polymerase genes.

Conclusion

  • This research confirmed, for the first time, the presence of an EHV-3 infection in the Icelandic horse population. This suggests that diagnostic measures in this population may need expansion to detect and manage infections effectively.
  • The results form an important base for further studies to understand the epidemiology and impact of EHV-3 in isolated animal populations like Icelandic horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Thorsteinsdóttir L, Guðmundsson GÖ, Jensson H, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V. (2021). Isolation of equid alphaherpesvirus 3 from a horse in Iceland with equine coital exanthema. Acta Vet Scand, 63(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-021-00572-4

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 1
Pages: 6

Researcher Affiliations

Thorsteinsdóttir, Lilja
  • Institute for Experimental Pathology, Biomedical Centre, University of Iceland, Keldur, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland. liljatho@hi.is.
Guðmundsson, Gunnar Örn
  • , Ásvegur 10, Hvanneyri, 311, Borgarnes, Iceland.
Jensson, Höskuldur
  • Nautabú, Hjaltadal, 551, Sauðárkrókur, Iceland.
Torsteinsdóttir, Sigurbjörg
  • Institute for Experimental Pathology, Biomedical Centre, University of Iceland, Keldur, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Svansson, Vilhjálmur
  • Institute for Experimental Pathology, Biomedical Centre, University of Iceland, Keldur, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Herpesvirus 3, Equid / isolation & purification
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Iceland

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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This article includes 10 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. El-Shafaey ES, Hamed M, Amin Y, Alkhodair KM, Shousha S, Aljazzar A, El Sebaei MG, Mosbah E. Neoplastic and non-neoplastic swellings of the external genitalia in horses and donkeys: clinical, histopathological, and treatment outcomes. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1613601.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1613601pubmed: 40838143google scholar: lookup
  2. Dotto-Maurel A, Arzul I, Morga B, Chevignon G. Herpesviruses: overview of systematics, genomic complexity and life cycle. Virol J 2025 May 22;22(1):155.
    doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02779-7pubmed: 40399963google scholar: lookup
  3. Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Spoolder H, Ståhl K, Calvo AV, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Carvelli A, Paillot R, Broglia A, Kohnle L, Baldinelli F, Van der Stede Y. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infection with Equine Herpesvirus-1. EFSA J 2022 Jan;20(1):e07036.
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  4. Vissani MA, Damiani AM, Barrandeguy ME. Equine Coital Exanthema: New Insights on the Knowledge and Leading Perspectives for Treatment and Prevention. Pathogens 2021 Aug 20;10(8).
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