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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(10); 2851; doi: 10.3390/ani11102851

Seroprevalence of Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) in the Northern Moroccan Horse Populations.

Abstract: This study reports the first equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) seroprevalence investigation in horse populations of Morocco in 24 years. It also aims to determine antibody titers in horses vaccinated under field conditions with a monovalent EHV-1 vaccine. Blood samples were collected from 405 horses, including 163 unvaccinated and 242 vaccinated animals. They were tested using a commercial type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a virus neutralization test (VNT). Overall, 12.8% unvaccinated, and 21.8% vaccinated horses were positive for EHV-1. All samples were positive for EHV-4 when tested with the type-specific ELISA. In the vaccinated group, the VNT revealed a mean antibody titer of 1:49 for EHV-1 and 1:45 for EHV-4. The present study demonstrates that EHV-1 and EHV-4 are endemic in the horse populations in the north of Morocco, with prevalence differences between regions. Furthermore, horses vaccinated with a monovalent EHV-1 vaccine had low antibodies titers. This study highlights the necessity to establish and/or support efficient biosecurity strategies based on sound management of horses and characterize further and potentially improve the efficiency of the EHV vaccines and vaccination protocol used in the field.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-29 PubMed ID: 34679874PubMed Central: PMC8532652DOI: 10.3390/ani11102851Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This article details a study on the prevalence of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Northern Morocco’s horse populations, as well as the effectiveness of an EHV-1 vaccine. The researchers found that these viruses are endemic – regularly found – in this area and the EHV-1 vaccine produced lower antibody levels than anticipated.

Research Method

  • The research involves the first investigation into the prevalence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in Moroccan horse populations in 24 years.
  • Blood samples were taken from a total of 405 horses; 163 were unvaccinated, while 242 were vaccinated with a monovalent EHV-1 vaccine.
  • These samples were then tested using a commercial type-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a virus neutralization test (VNT).

Findings

  • Results showed that 12.8% of unvaccinated horses and 21.8% of vaccinated horses tested positive for EHV-1.
  • All samples were positive for EHV-4 when tested with the type-specific ELISA.
  • VNT results showed that vaccinated horses had a mean antibody titer, which measures the concentration of antibodies in the blood, of 1:49 for EHV-1 and 1:45 for EHV-4. This suggests the presence of EHV-4, despite vaccination for EHV-1.
  • The study identified variations in the prevalence of the viruses across different regions.

Implications

  • The study concluded that EHV-1 and EHV-4 are endemic in Northern Morocco’s horse populations.
  • The lower than expected antibody levels produced by the EHV-1 vaccine suggests potential limitations in its efficacy.
  • These findings underline the need for improved biosecurity strategies, focusing on horse management along with a review of current vaccination protocols and potential vaccine improvements to better control and prevent the spread of these viruses.

Cite This Article

APA
El Brini Z, Fassi Fihri O, Paillot R, Lotfi C, Amraoui F, El Ouadi H, Dehhaoui M, Colitti B, Alyakine H, Piro M. (2021). Seroprevalence of Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) in the Northern Moroccan Horse Populations. Animals (Basel), 11(10), 2851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102851

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10
PII: 2851

Researcher Affiliations

El Brini, Zineb
  • Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Fassi Fihri, O꾪
  • Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Contagious Diseases, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Paillot, Romain
  • School of Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy, Writtle University College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UK.
Lotfi, Chafiqa
  • Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Amraoui, Farid
  • Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco.
El Ouadi, Hanane
  • Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Dehhaoui, Mohamed
  • Department of Statistics and Applied Informatics, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Colitti, Barbara
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
Alyakine, Hassan
  • Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco.
Piro, Mohammed
  • Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco.

Conflict of Interest Statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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This article has been cited 8 times.
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