Viruses2022; 14(4); 713; doi: 10.3390/v14040713

Kinetics of the Equid Herpesvirus 2 and 5 Infections among Mares and Foals from Three Polish National Studs.

Abstract: Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) are two γ-herpesviruses that are commonly detected from horses worldwide, based on several cross-sectional molecular surveys. Comparatively few studies examined the dynamics of γ-herpesvirus infection over time in a group of horses. The aim of the current study was to investigate the dynamics of EHV-2/5 infections among mares and their foals at three Polish national studs with different breeds of horses: Arabians, Thoroughbreds and Polish Konik horses. Nasal swabs were collected from each of 38 mare-foal pairs monthly for a period of 6 to 8 months. Virus-specific quantitative PCR assays were used to determine the viral load of EHV-2 and EHV-5 in each sample. All 76 horses sampled were positive for EHV-2 or EHV-5 on at least one sampling occasion. The majority (73/76, 96%) were infected with both EHV-2 and EHV-5. In general, the mean load of viral DNA was higher in samples from foals than from mares, but similar for EHV-2 and EHV-5 at most sampling occasions. There was, however, a considerable variability in the viral DNA load between samples collected at different times from the same foal, as well as between samples from different foals. The latter was more apparent for EHV-2 than for EHV-5. All foals became infected with both viruses early in life, before weaning, and remained positive on all, or most, subsequent samplings. The virus shedding by mares was more intermittent, indicating the existence of age-related differences. Overall, the data presented extend our knowledge of EHV-2/5 epidemiology among mares and foals.
Publication Date: 2022-03-29 PubMed ID: 35458443PubMed Central: PMC9031536DOI: 10.3390/v14040713Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • 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.

The research study focuses on understanding the dynamics of Equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5) infections in mares and their foals from different breeds, at three Polish national stud farms over time.

Dynamics of EHV-2/5 Infections

  • The study aimed to investigate the infection dynamics between EHV-2 and 5 in different horse breeds in Poland – Arabians, Thoroughbreds and Polish Konik horses.
  • Virus-specific quantitative PCR assays were used to determine the viral load of EHV-2 and EHV-5 in each sample collected.
  • In total, 76 horses (38 mare-foal pairs) were involved in the study. Out of these, all horses were found to have at least one instance of either EHV-2 or EHV-5.
  • Results showed a heavy prevalence of EHV-2 and 5 among the sampled horses, with 96% (73 out of 76) found to be infected by both viruses at some point.

Variances in Viral Loads

  • The mean viral DNA load was observed to be higher in samples taken from foals than from mares, however, the load was similar for both types of viruses across sampling occasions.
  • Samples collected from the same foal at different times showed considerable variability in viral DNA load, as well as between samples from different foals.
  • Higher variability in viral DNA loads was detected for EHV-2 than for EHV-5.

Age-Related Differences in Virus Shedding

  • All foals became infected with both viruses early in life, before weaning, and remained positive during most of the subsequent samplings.
  • Viral shedding in mares was found to be more intermittent, highlighting the existence of age-related differences in virus shedding.

Outcome of the Study

  • The presented data from the current study added further insights into the epidemiology of EHV-2/5 in mare and foal cohorts.
  • The study underscores the high prevalence of EHV-2/5 in the horse population and points towards the need for further investigation to better understand the infection dynamics over time.

Cite This Article

APA
Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. (2022). Kinetics of the Equid Herpesvirus 2 and 5 Infections among Mares and Foals from Three Polish National Studs. Viruses, 14(4), 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/v14040713

Publication

ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
PII: 713

Researcher Affiliations

Stasiak, Karol
  • Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
Dunowska, Magdalena
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Rola, Jerzy
  • Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Equid / genetics
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Kinetics
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Rhadinovirus / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 48 references
  1. Marenzoni ML, Coppola G, Maranesi M, Passamonti F, Cappelli K, Capomaccio S, Verini Supplizi A, Thiry E, Coletti M. Age-dependent prevalence of equid herpesvirus 5 infection.. Vet Res Commun 2010 Dec;34(8):703-8.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9443-9pubmed: 20842426google scholar: lookup
  2. Wang L, Raidal SL, Pizzirani A, Wilcox GE. Detection of respiratory herpesviruses in foals and adult horses determined by nested multiplex PCR.. Vet Microbiol 2007 Mar 31;121(1-2):18-28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.11.009pubmed: 17208393google scholar: lookup
  3. Hue ES, Fortier GD, Fortier CI, Leon AM, Richard EA, Legrand LJ, Pronost SL. Detection and quantitation of equid gammaherpesviruses (EHV-2, EHV-5) in nasal swabs using an accredited standardised quantitative PCR method.. J Virol Methods 2014 Mar;198:18-25.
  4. Brault SA, Maclachlan NJ. Equid gammaherpesviruses: Persistent bystanders or true pathogens?. Vet J 2011 Jan;187(1):14-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.02.015pubmed: 20335057google scholar: lookup
  5. Dunowska M, Meers J, Wilks CR. Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 5 in New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 1999 Apr;47(2):44-6.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.1999.36109pubmed: 16032069google scholar: lookup
  6. Bell SA, Balasuriya UB, Gardner IA, Barry PA, Wilson WD, Ferraro GL, MacLachlan NJ. Temporal detection of equine herpesvirus infections of a cohort of mares and their foals.. Vet Microbiol 2006 Sep 10;116(4):249-57.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.05.002pubmed: 16774810google scholar: lookup
  7. Dunowska M, Wilks CR, Studdert MJ, Meers J. Viruses associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory disease in New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2002 Aug;50(4):132-9.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2002.36299pubmed: 16032259google scholar: lookup
  8. Marenzoni ML, Stefanetti V, Danzetta ML, Timoney PJ. Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:91-101.
    doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S39473pmc: PMC6065615pubmed: 30155436google scholar: lookup
  9. Fortier G, van Erck E, Fortier C, Richard E, Pottier D, Pronost S, Miszczak F, Thiry E, Lekeux P. Herpesviruses in respiratory liquids of horses: putative implication in airway inflammation and association with cytological features.. Vet Microbiol 2009 Oct 20;139(1-2):34-41.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.04.021pubmed: 19427139google scholar: lookup
  10. Fortier G, Richard E, Hue E, Fortier C, Pronost S, Pottier D, Lemaitre L, Lekeux P, Borchers K, Thiry E. Long-lasting airway inflammation associated with equid herpesvirus-2 in experimentally challenged horses.. Vet J 2013 Aug;197(2):492-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.12.027pubmed: 23433569google scholar: lookup
  11. Houtsma A, Bedenice D, Pusterla N, Pugliese B, Mapes S, Hoffman AM, Paxson J, Rozanski E, Mukherjee J, Wigley M, Mazan MR. Association between inflammatory airway disease of horses and exposure to respiratory viruses: a case control study.. Multidiscip Respir Med 2015;10:33.
    doi: 10.1186/s40248-015-0030-3pmc: PMC4630835pubmed: 26535117google scholar: lookup
  12. Fortier G, Pronost S, Miszczak F, Fortier C, Lu00e9on A, Richard E, Van Erck E, Thiry E, Lekeux P. Identification of equid herpesvirus-5 in respiratory liquids: a retrospective study of 785 samples taken in 2006-2007.. Vet J 2009 Nov;182(2):346-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.07.004pubmed: 18757217google scholar: lookup
  13. Back H, Ullman K, Treiberg Berndtsson L, Riihimu00e4ki M, Penell J, Stu00e5hl K, Valarcher JF, Pringle J. Viral load of equine herpesviruses 2 and 5 in nasal swabs of actively racing Standardbred trotters: Temporal relationship of shedding to clinical findings and poor performance.. Vet Microbiol 2015 Sep 30;179(3-4):142-8.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.06.002pubmed: 26093774google scholar: lookup
  14. Hartley CA, Dynon KJ, Mekuria ZH, El-Hage CM, Holloway SA, Gilkerson JR. Equine gammaherpesviruses: perfect parasites?. Vet Microbiol 2013 Nov 29;167(1-2):86-92.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.05.031pubmed: 23845734google scholar: lookup
  15. Nordengrahn A, Rusvai M, Merza M, Ekstru00f6m J, Morein B, Belu00e1k S. Equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) as a predisposing factor for Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals: prevention of the bifactorial disease with EHV-2 immunostimulating complexes.. Vet Microbiol 1996 Jul;51(1-2):55-68.
    doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(96)00032-6pubmed: 8828122google scholar: lookup
  16. Brault SA, Blanchard MT, Gardner IA, Stott JL, Pusterla N, Mapes SM, Vernau W, Dejong KD, Maclachlan NJ. The immune response of foals to natural infection with equid herpesvirus-2 and its association with febrile illness.. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2010 Sep 15;137(1-2):136-41.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2010.05.010pubmed: 20646766google scholar: lookup
  17. Brault SA, Bird BH, Balasuriya UB, MacLachlan NJ. Genetic heterogeneity and variation in viral load during equid herpesvirus-2 infection of foals.. Vet Microbiol 2011 Jan 27;147(3-4):253-61.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.06.031pubmed: 20655670google scholar: lookup
  18. Browning GF, Studdert MJ. Genomic heterogeneity of equine betaherpesviruses.. J Gen Virol 1987 May;68 ( Pt 5):1441-7.
    doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-68-5-1441pubmed: 2883251google scholar: lookup
  19. Dunowska M, Holloway SA, Wilks CR, Meers J. Genomic variability of equine herpesvirus-5.. Arch Virol 2000;145(7):1359-71.
    doi: 10.1007/s007050070095pubmed: 10963342google scholar: lookup
  20. Kershaw O, von Oppen T, Glitz F, Deegen E, Ludwig H, Borchers K. Detection of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) in horses with keratoconjunctivitis.. Virus Res 2001 Nov 28;80(1-2):93-9.
    doi: 10.1016/S0168-1702(01)00299-4pubmed: 11597754google scholar: lookup
  21. Rushton JO, Kolodziejek J, Nell B, Weissenbu00f6ck H, Nowotny N. Keratoconjunctivitis in a group of Icelandic horses with suspected u03b3-herpesvirus involvement.. Equine Vet J 2016 Jul;48(4):427-9.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12465pubmed: 26032576google scholar: lookup
  22. Borchers K, Ebert M, Fetsch A, Hammond T, Sterner-Kock A. Prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) DNA in ocular swabs and its cell tropism in equine conjunctiva.. Vet Microbiol 2006 Dec 20;118(3-4):260-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.07.024pubmed: 16996233google scholar: lookup
  23. Hollingsworth SR, Pusterla N, Kass PH, Good KL, Brault SA, Maggs DJ. Detection of equine herpesvirus in horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and comparison of three sampling techniques.. Vet Ophthalmol 2015 Sep;18(5):416-21.
    doi: 10.1111/vop.12250pubmed: 25594353google scholar: lookup
  24. Williams KJ, Maes R, Del Piero F, Lim A, Wise A, Bolin DC, Caswell J, Jackson C, Robinson NE, Derksen F, Scott MA, Uhal BD, Li X, Youssef SA, Bolin SR. Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis: a newly recognized herpesvirus-associated fibrotic lung disease.. Vet Pathol 2007 Nov;44(6):849-62.
    doi: 10.1354/vp.44-6-849pubmed: 18039898google scholar: lookup
  25. Nordengrahn A, Merza M, Ros C, Lindholmc A, Palfl V, Hannant D, Belu00e1k S. Prevalence of equine herpesvirus types 2 and 5 in horse populations by using type-specific PCR assays.. Vet Res 2002 May-Jun;33(3):251-9.
    doi: 10.1051/vetres:2002013pubmed: 12056476google scholar: lookup
  26. Torfason EG, Thorsteinsdu00f3ttir L, Torsteinsdu00f3ttir S, Svansson V. Study of equid herpesviruses 2 and 5 in Iceland with a type-specific polymerase chain reaction.. Res Vet Sci 2008 Dec;85(3):605-11.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2008.01.003pubmed: 18336849google scholar: lookup
  27. Laabassi F, Hue E, Fortier C, Morilland E, Legrand L, Hans A, Pronost S. Epidemiology and molecular detection of equine herpesviruses in western Algeria in 2011.. Vet Microbiol 2017 Aug;207:205-209.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.06.017pubmed: 28757025google scholar: lookup
  28. Akkutay AZ, Osterrieder N, Damiani A, Tischer BK, Borchers K, Alkan F. Prevalence of equine gammaherpesviruses on breeding farms in Turkey and development of a TaqMan MGB real-time PCR to detect equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5).. Arch Virol 2014 Nov;159(11):2989-95.
    doi: 10.1007/s00705-014-2165-5pubmed: 25008897google scholar: lookup
  29. Ataseven VS, Bilge-Dagalp S, Oguzoglu TC, Karapinar Z, Gu00fczel M, Tan MT. Detection and sequence analysis of equine gammaherpesviruses from horses with respiratory tract disease in Turkey.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2010 Aug 1;57(4):271-6.
  30. Diallo IS, Hewitson GR, de Jong A, Kelly MA, Wright DJ, Corney BG, Rodwell BJ. Equine herpesvirus infections in yearlings in South-East Queensland.. Arch Virol 2008;153(9):1643-9.
    doi: 10.1007/s00705-008-0158-ypubmed: 18677574google scholar: lookup
  31. McBrearty KA, Murray A, Dunowska M. A survey of respiratory viruses in New Zealand horses.. N Z Vet J 2013 Sep;61(5):254-61.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2012.745211pubmed: 23425354google scholar: lookup
  32. Negussie H, Gizaw D, Tesfaw L, Li Y, Oguma K, Sentsui H, Tessema TS, Nauwynck HJ. Detection of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) -1, -2, -4 and -5 in Ethiopian Equids with and without Respiratory Problems and Genetic Characterization of EHV-2 and EHV-5 Strains.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017 Dec;64(6):1970-1978.
    doi: 10.1111/tbed.12601pubmed: 28102009google scholar: lookup
  33. Back H, Ullman K, Leijon M, Su00f6derlund R, Penell J, Stu00e5hl K, Pringle J, Valarcher JF. Genetic variation and dynamics of infections of equid herpesvirus 5 in individual horses.. J Gen Virol 2016 Jan;97(1):169-178.
    doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000332pubmed: 26518010google scholar: lookup
  34. Mekuria ZH, El-Hage C, Ficorilli NP, Washington EA, Gilkerson JR, Hartley CA. Mapping B lymphocytes as major reservoirs of naturally occurring latent equine herpesvirus 5 infection.. J Gen Virol 2017 Mar;98(3):461-470.
    doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000668pubmed: 27902371google scholar: lookup
  35. Drummer HE, Reubel GH, Studdert MJ. Equine gammaherpesvirus 2 (EHV2) is latent in B lymphocytes.. Arch Virol 1996;141(3-4):495-504.
    doi: 10.1007/BF01718313pubmed: 8645091google scholar: lookup
  36. Rizvi SM, Slater JD, Wolfinger U, Borchers K, Field HJ, Slade AJ. Detection and distribution of equine herpesvirus 2 DNA in the central and peripheral nervous systems of ponies.. J Gen Virol 1997 May;78 ( Pt 5):1115-8.
    doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-78-5-1115pubmed: 9152431google scholar: lookup
  37. Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Prevalence and sequence analysis of equid herpesviruses from the respiratory tract of Polish horses.. Virol J 2018 Jul 11;15(1):106.
    doi: 10.1186/s12985-018-1018-3pmc: PMC6042439pubmed: 29996858google scholar: lookup
  38. Dunowska M, Wilks CR, Studdert MJ, Meers J. Equine respiratory viruses in foals in New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2002 Aug;50(4):140-7.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.2002.36300pubmed: 16032260google scholar: lookup
  39. Murray MJ, Eichorn ES, Dubovi EJ, Ley WB, Cavey DM. Equine herpesvirus type 2: prevalence and seroepidemiology in foals.. Equine Vet J 1996 Nov;28(6):432-6.
  40. Fornal A, Kowalska K, Zabek T, Piestrzynska-Kajtoch A, Musiau0142 AD, Ropka-Molik K. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Polish Konik Horse Based on Individuals from All the Male Founder Lines and Microsatellite Markers.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 3;10(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10091569pmc: PMC7552212pubmed: 32899310google scholar: lookup
  41. Fu ZF, Robinson AJ, Horner GW, Dickinson LG, Grimmett JB, Marshall RB. Respiratory disease in foals and the epizootiology of equine herpesvirus type 2 infection.. N Z Vet J 1986 Sep;34(9):152-5.
    doi: 10.1080/00480169.1986.35331pubmed: 16031314google scholar: lookup
  42. Dunowska M, Howe L, Hanlon D, Stevenson M. Kinetics of Equid herpesvirus type 2 infections in a group of Thoroughbred foals.. Vet Microbiol 2011 Aug 26;152(1-2):176-80.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.04.017pubmed: 21616610google scholar: lookup
  43. Thorsteinsdu00f3ttir L, Ju00f3nsdu00f3ttir S, Stefu00e1nsdu00f3ttir SB, Andru00e9sdu00f3ttir V, Wagner B, Marti E, Torsteinsdu00f3ttir S, Svansson V. The effect of maternal immunity on the equine gammaherpesvirus type 2 and 5 viral load and antibody response.. PLoS One 2019;14(6):e0218576.
  44. Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Trewick S, Rola J. Genetic Variation in the Glycoprotein B Sequence of Equid Herpesvirus 5 among Horses of Various Breeds at Polish National Studs.. Pathogens 2021 Mar 9;10(3).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10030322pmc: PMC7998979pubmed: 33803246google scholar: lookup
  45. Muscat KE, Padalino B, Hartley CA, Ficorilli N, Celi P, Knight P, Raidal S, Gilkerson JR, Muscatello G. Equine Transport and Changes in Equid Herpesvirus' Status.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:224.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00224pmc: PMC6167981pubmed: 30320126google scholar: lookup
  46. Costantini D, Seeber PA, Soilemetzidou SE, Azab W, Bohner J, Buuveibaatar B, Czirju00e1k Gu00c1, East ML, Greunz EM, Kaczensky P, Lamglait B, Melzheimer J, Uiseb K, Ortega A, Osterrieder N, Sandgreen DM, Simon M, Walzer C, Greenwood AD. Physiological costs of infection: herpesvirus replication is linked to blood oxidative stress in equids.. Sci Rep 2018 Jul 9;8(1):10347.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28688-0pmc: PMC6037783pubmed: 29985431google scholar: lookup
  47. Lansade L, Foury A, Reigner F, Vidament M, Guettier E, Bouvet G, Soulet D, Parias C, Ruet A, Mach N, Lu00e9vy F, Moisan MP. Progressive habituation to separation alleviates the negative effects of weaning in the mother and foal.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018 Nov;97:59-68.
  48. Henry S, Sigurju00f3nsdu00f3ttir H, Klapper A, Joubert J, Montier G, Hausberger M. Domestic Foal Weaning: Need for Re-Thinking Breeding Practices?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 23;10(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10020361pmc: PMC7070483pubmed: 32102206google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Badr C, Souiai O, Arbi M, El Behi I, Essaied MS, Khosrof I, Benkahla A, Chabchoub A, Ghram A. Epidemiological and Phylogeographic Study of Equid Herpesviruses in Tunisia.. Pathogens 2022 Sep 5;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11091016pubmed: 36145448google scholar: lookup