Respiratory disease in foals and the epizootiology of equine herpesvirus type 2 infection.
Abstract: The epizootiology of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) infection was investigated in Thoroughbred foals on a stud farm which in previous years had suffered economic loss due to respiratory disease. Sixteen pairs of foals and their dams were selected for this study and all of the foals became infected with EHV-2 by two to four months of age. These animals responded serologically to the virus infection as detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). EHV-2 infection persisted in these foals for two to six months with constant or intermittent virus recovery. This persistent infection stimulated continuous production of antibodies against EHV-2. As soon as the antibody levels reached their peak at five to six months, the isolation rate of EHV-2 from the nasal cavity of these animals decreased, and eventually by nine months of age virus could no longer be recovered. Respiratory disease was observed in ten of the 16 foals; and two severely affected animals died at two months of age. EHV-2 was isolated from both foals at ante and/or post mortem examination. It is postulated that EHV-2, either as an initiating agent or by means of immnunosuppression, caused the respiratory disease observed in these foals.
Publication Date: 1986-09-01 PubMed ID: 16031314DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1986.35331Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores the occurrence of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) in young horses, and its possible link to respiratory diseases which has historically caused economic loss. The research revealed that all studied foals contracted the virus, showing constant or temporary presence of the virus for up to six months and increased production of antibodies. Cases of respiratory disease were discovered in some foals, with two dying as a result, and EHV-2 was singled out as a possible cause or contributor to the illness.
Research Methodology
- The research studied the occurrence and effects of the equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) infection in Thoroughbred foals on a stud farm that had previously experienced financial loss due to respiratory disease in their horses.
- The sample comprised of 16 pairs of foals and their dams (mothers).
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilised to detect a serological response to EHV-2 infection.
Key Findings
- Every foal contracted EHV-2 when they were between two and four months old showing the high prevalence of the infection among young horses.
- The EHV-2 infection persisted for two to six months in these foals, either consistently or intermittently.
- The constant presence of the virus led to continuous production of antibodies against EHV-2, meaning that the foals’ bodies were repeatedly trying to fight off the infection.
- When the antibody levels topped out at five to six months, recovery of the EHV-2 virus from the nasal cavities of the horses became less frequent and by nine months, the virus could not be recovered at all.
Implications and Conclusion
- Respiratory disease was found in 10 of the 16 foals under study, and two severely affected foals died at two months old. The EHV-2 virus was isolated from these foals during pre and/or post mortem examinations.
- The researchers concluded that EHV-2 could either cause respiratory disease in foals or suppress their immunological responses, thereby making them more susceptible to respiratory diseases. More studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between EHV-2 and respiratory diseases in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Fu ZF, Robinson AJ, Horner GW, Dickinson LG, Grimmett JB, Marshall RB.
(1986).
Respiratory disease in foals and the epizootiology of equine herpesvirus type 2 infection.
N Z Vet J, 34(9), 152-155.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1986.35331 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Kinetics of the Equid Herpesvirus 2 and 5 Infections among Mares and Foals from Three Polish National Studs. Viruses 2022 Mar 29;14(4).
- Thorsteinsdóttir L, Jónsdóttir S, Stefánsdóttir SB, Andrésdóttir V, Wagner B, Marti E, Torsteinsdóttir 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.
- Dall Agnol AM, Beuttemmuller EA, Pilz D, Leme RA, Saporiti V, Headley SA, Alfieri AF, Alfieri AA. Detection of Equid gammaherpesvirus 2 and 5 DNA in the upper respiratory tract of asymptomatic horses from Southern Brazil. Braz J Microbiol 2019 Jul;50(3):875-878.
- Marenzoni ML, Stefanetti V, Danzetta ML, Timoney PJ. Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review. Vet Med (Auckl) 2015;6:91-101.
- LeCuyer TE, Rink A, Bradway DS, Evermann JF, Nicola AV, Baszler T, Haldorson GJ. Abortion in a Mediterranean miniature donkey (Equus asinus) associated with a gammaherpesvirus similar to Equid herpesvirus 7. J Vet Diagn Invest 2015 Nov;27(6):749-53.
- Prescott JF, Wilcock BP, Carman PS, Hoffman AM. Sporadic, severe bronchointerstitial pneumonia of foals. Can Vet J 1991 Jul;32(7):421-5.
- Browning GF, Studdert MJ. Physical mapping of the genomic heterogeneity of isolates of equine herpesvirus 2 (equine cytomegalovirus). Arch Virol 1989;104(1-2):87-94.
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