Sexual and in-contact transmission of asinine strain of equine arteritis virus among donkeys.

This research article demonstrates that Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) – usually found in horses – can also be detected in donkeys and shed through their semen. The study further shows that the virus can be transmitted sexually and via contact among donkeys.

Introduction and Research Method

• The study began by identifying two donkey stallions out of a group of five that were naturally seropositive, i.e., their blood tests showed positive reactions indicating that they had been exposed to the equine arteritis virus (EAV).
• This virus, usually prevalent in horses, had evidently been transmitted to the donkeys and was found present in their semen.

Experimentation and Observations

• The semen from one of these infected donkeys, named S3 in the article, was then directly inoculated into two other donkeys – this caused the two donkeys to get sick, and the virus was subsequently isolated from them.
• The inoculated donkeys also showed signs of seroconversion, that is, a measurable change in the antibodies present in their blood, indicative of infection.
• The study further confirmed sexual transmission of the EAV when two mares mated with the infected stallion (S3) developed fevers and started shedding the virus through their bodily excretions.
• An in-contact transmission was also observed when a stallion, initially not exposed to the virus, showed signs of infection after coming in contact with an infected mare.

Further Investigations and Conclusions

• The researchers conducted further investigations into the nature of the virus present in the donkey semen, amplifying a specific segment (‘3’ end) of the viral RNA using EAV-specific primers.
• On comparing the resulting nucleotide sequence with that of the prototype ‘Bucyrus’ virus (a strain of EAV typically found in horses), they found homology – implying the viruses could be considered identical, or very similar.
• The findings of the study ultimately suggest that the transmission and impact of EAV are analogous in donkeys and horses, expanding our understanding of the virus’s host range and transmission mechanisms.