Prevalence of antibodies to equine viruses in the Netherlands.

The research paper is about a study conducted to identify the prevalence of antibodies for various equine (horse) viruses in the Netherlands over different periods.

Research Overview

This research aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies to certain viruses in horses in the Netherlands. Serum samples were collected over two different periods – between 1963 and 1966, and then from 1972 onwards. The research looked for neutralizing antibodies to a range of equine viruses, including rhinopneumonitis, arteritis, rhinovirus, adenovirus, infectious anaemia, Myxovirus influenzae, and Reovirus.

Antibody Prevalence

The investigation showed varying prevalence of antibodies to the different viruses.

• Neutralizing antibodies to equine rhinopneumonitis virus were detected in 76% of the tested equine serum samples.
• Antibodies to equine arteritis virus were identified in 14% of the samples.
• Equine rhinovirus types 1 and 2 had antibodies in respectively 66% and 59% of the samples.
• The rate of positive serum samples for equine adenovirus was 39%.
• Antibodies to equine infectious anaemia virus were only detected in serum samples from two horses that had been imported from abroad.
• Detectable antibodies to Myxovirus influenzae A / equi-1, M. Influenzae A / equi-2, and Reovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were present in respectively 82%, 50%, 10%, 33% and 3.6% of the tested serum samples.

Contact and Transmission

Furthermore, the research noted a trend regarding the frequency of observed antibodies and exposure to other horses. The most common incidence of antibodies to the various equine respiratory viruses occurred in the group of horses which had frequent contact with others. This finding suggests that the transmission of these viruses might be linked to horse-to-horse contact.