Multiple molecular detection of respiratory viruses and associated signs of airway inflammation in racehorses.
Abstract: The potential involvement of viruses in inflammatory airway disease (IAD) was previously investigated through either serology or PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs (NS). The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and incidence of viral genome detection by qPCR in the equine airways, and their association with respiratory clinical signs. Both NS and tracheal washes (TW) were collected monthly on 52 Standardbred racehorses at training, over 27 consecutive months (581 samples). Equid herpesviruses (EHV)-1, -4, -2 and -5, equine rhinitis virus-A and -B (ERBV), equine adenovirus-1 and -2, equine coronavirus and equine influenza virus were systematically investigated in both NS and TW. Nasal discharge, coughing, tracheal mucus score and TW neutrophil proportions were simultaneously recorded. Genome for 7/10 viruses were detected at least once throughout the study; up to 4 different viruses being also concomitantly detected. Monthly incidence in TW was respectively 27.9% (EHV-5), 24.8% (EHV-2), 7.1% (ERBV), 3.8% (EHV-4), 1.9% (EAdV1) and 0.2% (EHV-1; ERAV). Neither agreement nor correlation between NS and TW was found for respectively genome detection and viral loads. Detection of viral genome in NS was not associated with any clinical sign. Coughing was significantly associated with TW detection of EHV-2 DNA (OR 3.1; P = 0.01) and ERBV RNA (OR 5.3; P < 0.001). Detection of EHV-2 DNA in TW was also significantly associated with excess tracheal mucus (OR 2.1; P = 0.02). Detection and quantification of EHV-2 and ERBV by qPCR in TW, but not in NS, should be considered when investigating horses with IAD.
Publication Date: 2016-11-29 PubMed ID: 27899161PubMed Central: PMC5129218DOI: 10.1186/s12985-016-0657-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article investigates the potential involvement of various viruses in inflammatory airway disease (IAD) found in racehorses. The study examines the frequency of viral genome detections and their relationship with clinical signs of respiratory conditions. The findings suggest that the testing of certain viruses in the equine airway may be beneficial when investigating horses with IAD.
Research Methodology
- The study, conducted on 52 Standardbred racehorses over 27 consecutive months, utilized both nasopharyngeal swabs (NS) and tracheal washes (TW) to gather 581 samples.
- These samples underwent systematic testing for the presence of equid herpesviruses (EHV-1, -2, -4, -5), equine rhinitis virus-A and -B (ERBV), equine adenovirus-1 and -2, equine coronavirus, and equine influenza virus in both the NS and TW samples.
- Additionally, clinical signs such as nasal discharge, coughing, and the levels of tracheal mucus and TW neutrophils were concurrently reported.
Key Findings
- Among all the viruses tested, seven were detected at least once throughout the study duration, with up to four viruses identified concurrently.
- The monthly incidences of individual viruses in TW were recorded, ranging from a high of 27.9% for EHV-5 to a low of 0.2% for EHV-1 and ERAV.
- Neither genetic detection nor viral loads showed any correlation between NS and TW samples.
- Viral genome detection in NS was not associated with any clinical sign.
- However, detection of EHV-2 DNA and ERBV RNA in TW positively correlated with coughing and high levels of tracheal mucus, signaling association with respiratory symptoms.
Implications
- This research suggests that the detection and quantification of EHV-2 and ERBV by qPCR in TW samples can be considered when investigating IAD in horses, as NS samples were not as indicative.
- These findings underscore the potential significance of viral testing in maintaining the respiratory health of racehorses for optimal performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Doubli-Bounoua N, Richard EA, Léon A, Pitel PH, Pronost S, Fortier G.
(2016).
Multiple molecular detection of respiratory viruses and associated signs of airway inflammation in racehorses.
Virol J, 13(1), 197.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-016-0657-5 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 4655, U2RM, Caen, France.
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France. eric.richard@laboratoire-labeo.fr.
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 4655, U2RM, Caen, France.
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 4655, U2RM, Caen, France.
- LABÉO Frank Duncombe, Caen, France.
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, EA 4655, U2RM, Caen, France.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Incidence
- Inflammation / diagnosis
- Inflammation / epidemiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Male
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods
- Nasopharynx / virology
- Prevalence
- RNA, Viral / genetics
- RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
- Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
- Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
- Trachea / virology
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
- Virus Diseases / epidemiology
- Virus Diseases / veterinary
- Virus Diseases / virology
- Viruses / classification
- Viruses / genetics
- Viruses / isolation & purification
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