Analyze Diet

Retrospective assessment of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) genotype-associated clinical disease in Ontario.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is an important viral pathogen in horses, associated with diverse clinical manifestations including fever, upper and lower respiratory disease, neurological signs, ocular disease, and abortion. Currently, EHV-1 variants (genotypes) are classified based on a single nucleotide polymorphism mutation of the open reading frame 30 (ORF30). Unassigned: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the EHV-1 genotypes present in horses with various clinical presentations, including respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological disease, at a referral center in the province of Ontario. Unassigned: Equine herpesvirus type 1 was detected in 11.7% of the tested horses, with clinical presentations including abortion (21%), myeloencephalopathy (64%), fever (11%), pneumonia (3.5%), and asymptomatic cases (3.5%). The neuropathogenic strain was more commonly present in horses with abortions and fevers. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy was associated with the non-neuropathogenic strain in 50% of the cases and the neuropathogenic strain in 44% of the cases. However, in 6% of the cases, the viral genotype was unknown. Unassigned: These findings highlighted that this is a multifactorial problem and clinical disease may not be solely attributed to viral genome. This variability reinforced the need for continued research into the behavior and epidemiology of EHV-1. Évaluation rétrospective des manifestations cliniques associées au génotype de l’herpèsvirus équin de type 1 (HVE-1) en Ontario. Unassigned: L’herpèsvirus équin de type 1 (HVE-1) est un agent pathogène viral important chez les chevaux, associé à diverses manifestations cliniques, notamment la fièvre, des affections des voies respiratoires supérieures et inférieures, des signes neurologiques, des affections oculaires et des avortements. Actuellement, les variants (génotypes) de HVE-1 sont classés en fonction d’une mutation par polymorphisme nucléotidique unique (SNP) du cadre de lecture ouvert 30 (ORF30). Unassigned: Cette étude rétrospective visait à évaluer les génotypes de HVE-1 présents chez des chevaux présentant diverses manifestations cliniques, incluant des affections respiratoires, des avortements et des affections neurologiques, dans un centre de référence de la province de l’Ontario. Unassigned: L’herpèsvirus équin de type 1 a été détecté chez 11,7 % des chevaux testés et les manifestations cliniques comprenaient des avortements (21 %), une myéloencéphalopathie (64 %), de la fièvre (11 %), une pneumonie (3,5 %) et des cas asymptomatiques (3,5 %). La souche neuropathogène était plus fréquemment présente chez les chevaux présentant des avortements et de la fièvre. La myéloencéphalopathie herpétique équine était associée à la souche non-neuropathogène dans 50 % des cas et à la souche neuropathogène dans 44 % des cas. Cependant, dans 6 % des cas, le génotype viral était inconnu. Unassigned: Ces résultats soulignent le caractère multifactoriel de ce problème et indiquent que la présentation clinique ne peut être uniquement attribuée au génome viral. Cette variabilité renforce la nécessité de poursuivre les recherches sur le comportement et l’épidémiologie de HVE-1.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Publication Date: 2026-05-01 PubMed ID: 42095172PubMed Central: PMC13142071
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.

Overview

  • This study retrospectively analyzed the genetic variants (genotypes) of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in horses from Ontario and their association with different clinical diseases such as respiratory illness, abortion, and neurological disorders.
  • The findings show that disease manifestation is complex and not solely determined by the viral genotype, highlighting the need for further research on EHV-1 epidemiology and pathogenesis.

Background on EHV-1

  • EHV-1 is a significant viral pathogen affecting horses, causing a variety of clinical issues including:
    • Fever
    • Upper and lower respiratory diseases
    • Neurological symptoms
    • Ocular conditions
    • Abortions
  • The virus has different genetic variants or genotypes. Currently, these genotypes are classified based on a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation in the viral open reading frame 30 gene (ORF30).

Study Aims and Methods

  • The objective was to retrospectively identify EHV-1 genotypes in horses presenting with various clinical signs at a referral center in Ontario.
  • Data were collected from horses tested for EHV-1 who showed symptoms such as respiratory disease, abortion, neurological disease, or were asymptomatic.

Key Findings

  • EHV-1 was detected in 11.7% of horses tested.
  • Clinical presentations in infected horses included:
    • Abortion (21% of EHV-1 positive cases)
    • Myeloencephalopathy (neurological disease) (64%)
    • Fever (11%)
    • Pneumonia (3.5%)
    • Asymptomatic cases (3.5%)
  • The neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 was most frequently found in horses showing abortion and fever.
  • Importantly, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) was associated with both virus strains:
    • Non-neuropathogenic strain in 50% of EHM cases
    • Neuropathogenic strain in 44% of EHM cases
    • Unknown genotype in 6% of EHM cases

Interpretation and Implications

  • The presence of neurological disease (EHM) associated with both neuropathogenic and non-neuropathogenic strains suggests that viral genotype alone does not determine clinical outcomes.
  • This supports the concept that EHV-1-associated diseases are multifactorial, potentially involving host immune response, co-infections, management, or environmental factors.
  • Recognizing the complexity of EHV-1 disease expression reinforces the need for:
    • Continued molecular epidemiological research to understand viral behavior
    • Improved diagnostic tools considering multiple factors beyond genotype
    • Development of comprehensive management and prevention strategies for EHV-1 outbreaks

Summary

  • This retrospective study in Ontario horses demonstrates variability in clinical disease expression linked to different EHV-1 genotypes.
  • It highlights that genotype classification alone is insufficient to fully predict disease manifestation.
  • Future research should investigate additional factors influencing pathogenesis to better control the impact of EHV-1 in equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Espinosa MA, Lack A, Kenney D, Arroyo LG. (2026). Retrospective assessment of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) genotype-associated clinical disease in Ontario. Can Vet J, 67(5), 499-503.

Publication

ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 5
Pages: 499-503

Researcher Affiliations

Espinosa, Maria Asuncion
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Lack, Amy
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Kenney, Daniel
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Equid / isolation & purification
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Ontario / epidemiology
  • Genotype
  • Female
  • Abortion, Veterinary / virology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.