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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2022; 11(11); 1372; doi: 10.3390/pathogens11111372

Seroprevalence of Equine Influenza and Its Associated Risk Factors in Northwest Nigeria.

Abstract: Equine influenza (EI) is a fast-spreading respiratory disease of equids caused by equine influenza A virus (EIV), often resulting in high morbidity and a huge economic impact on the equine industry globally. In this cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence of EI and its associated risk factors, sera from 830 horses bled on a single occasion in Northwest Nigeria between October 2019 and January 2020 were screened for antibodies to A/equine/Richmond/1/2007 (H3N8) using the single radial haemolysis (SRH) assay. Antibodies were detected in 71.3% (592/830, 95% CI: 68−74%) of horses (SRH area ≥ 0.5 mm2). Although there were statistically significant univariable associations between seropositivity and age, sex, breed, purpose and coat colour, only age remained significant when included with each of the other variables in bivariable analyses. There was a clear trend for increasing odds of seropositivity with increasing age: OR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.05−2.40 (p = 0.03) for 5−14-year-olds and OR 8.13, 95% CI: 2.75−24.1 (p < 0.001) for ≥15-year-olds compared to horses 150 mm2, considered sufficient to protect against clinical disease and virus shedding. Comparative screening of a subset of the horses (n = 118) with a 2019 H3N8 virus (A/equine/Worcestershire/2019) revealed a significantly greater seropositivity (p = 0.0001) than A/equine/Richmond/1/2007 consistent with exposure of the population during a widespread outbreak of EI in the region in 2019. In conclusion, there was an insufficient level of protection against EI in the region and introduction of a vaccination programme with vaccines containing recently circulating virus is recommended to mitigate against further outbreaks of EI in Nigeria.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-17 PubMed ID: 36422623PubMed Central: PMC9699259DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111372Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The study reported on the prevalence of antibodies to Equine Influenza (EI) in horse populations in Northwest Nigeria, and identified age as a significant factor in the likelihood of seropositivity. Moreover, the majority of horses in the region seemed to lack sufficient immunity to the virus, leading to the recommendation of an updated vaccination program.

Objective and Methodology

  • The goal of this study was to identify the seroprevalence – or presence – of antibodies to Equine Influenza (EI), a detrimental virus significantly affecting the horse industry, in a sample of horses in Northwest Nigeria. This study’s importance lies in understanding the spread of the disease and in determining the potential risk factors associated with the susceptibility of horses to EI.
  • The authors used a cross-sectional study design, taking blood samples from 830 horses between October 2019 and January 2020. These samples were then screened for antibodies against a particular strain of EI, A/equine/Richmond/1/2007 (H3N8), utilizing the single radial haemolysis test.

Results

  • Results revealed that 71.3% of the sampled horses had antibodies against the EI virus strain under investigation, indicating previous exposure to the virus.
  • While several factors were initially associated with having these antibodies – age, sex, breed, purpose, and coat colour – in bivariable analysis, only age held a significant association. As the age of the horses increased, so did the odds of having antibodies.
  • However, only 9% of horses had a level of antibodies considered high enough to provide protection against the disease and prevent virus shedding, indicating a potential vulnerability to future outbreaks.
  • Further screening with a more recent virus strain (A/equine/Worcestershire/2019) resulted in significantly higher seropositivity, suggesting exposure during a widespread EI outbreak in 2019.

Conclusion

  • The findings indicate a significant presence of EI antibodies in the horse population of Northwest Nigeria but raise concerns about insufficient levels of protection against the disease.
  • The authors, therefore, recommended the introduction of a vaccination programme using updated vaccines containing recently circulating virus strains. This approach would help control the spread of EI and protect horses from future outbreaks.

Cite This Article

APA
Olufemi OT, Edeh ER, Isyaku MS, Haliru M, Samaila S, Mshelia PW, Owolodun OA, Newton JR, Daly JM. (2022). Seroprevalence of Equine Influenza and Its Associated Risk Factors in Northwest Nigeria. Pathogens, 11(11), 1372. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111372

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 11
PII: 1372

Researcher Affiliations

Olufemi, Olaolu T
  • One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.
  • Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos 930003, Nigeria.
Edeh, Emmanuel R
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos 930003, Nigeria.
Isyaku, Mustapha S
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bayero University Kano, Kano 700006, Nigeria.
Haliru, Mustapha
  • Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Usman Faruk Secretariat, Sokoto 840103, Nigeria.
Samaila, Shafiu
  • Ministry of Animal Health and Fisheries Development, Usman Faruk Secretariat, Sokoto 840103, Nigeria.
Mshelia, Philip W
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
Owolodun, Olajide A
  • Biotechnology Centre, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom 930103, Nigeria.
Newton, J Richard
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.
Daly, Janet M
  • One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.

Grant Funding

  • Vice Chancellor scholarship / University of Nottingham

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Hao T, Xie Y, Chai Y, Zhang W, Zhang D, Qi J, Shi Y, Song H, Gao GF. Structural basis of receptor-binding adaptation of human-infecting H3N8 influenza A virus. J Virol 2025 Mar 18;99(3):e0106524.
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