Short communication: Retrospective analysis of obligatory testing results for Equine virus arteritis reveals a decrease of its seroprevalence in stallions used for artificial insemination.
Abstract: Equine viral arteritis (EVA) can induce a persistent carrier state in stallions which then shed the virus via semen. About 30 years ago, obligatory EVA testing of stallions used for artificial insemination (AI) was implemented in the European Union. Information on the efficacy of these regulations on the prevalence of EVA in stallions are not yet available. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed results of serological and virus antigen testing for EVA in sires of different age and breed referred to Vetmeduni Vienna for semen preservation or veterinary diagnostic procedures between 2001 and 2021. For analysis, stallions were grouped by age (1-5, 6-8, 9-12, >12 years) and breed. The EVA antibody titer was determined by serum neutralization test and semen was analyzed for EVA virus by PCR and/or virus isolation test. Of 308 stallions tested, 14.9% (n = 46) were EVA seropositive and in 12 stallions EVA virus was detected in semen (26% of seropositive stallions). The incidence of seropositive stallions decreased over time (P < 0.05, χ2 test). Differences in the seroprevalence of EVA antibodies existed among stallion age groups (P < 0.01, Fisher's test) with the highest percentage of seropositive stallions being > 12 years old (43.5%). The EVA antibody titer increased with age (P < 0.01, Kruskal-Wallis test), potentially reflecting repeated virus challenge. In conclusion, analysis of monitoring results revealed a decrease of EVA seroprevalence and virus shedding in a European sire population. As monitoring for EVA was the only measure implemented Europe-wide, testing might be a major contributor to this development.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-12-19 PubMed ID: 38150796DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106096Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a disease that can turn stallions into persistent carriers shedding the virus through semen. This study looks into the effects of compulsory EVA testing of stallions used for artificial insemination in the European Union, which was implemented approximately thirty years ago. After examining the results of serological and virus antigen testing, the researchers found a decrease in the prevalence of EVA in stallions, suggesting the compulsory testing has contributed to this development.
Methodology
- The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of results from serological and virus antigen tests for EVA. The tests were carried out on stallions referred to Vetmeduni in Vienna for semen preservation or veterinary diagnostic procedures between 2001 and 2021.
- The stallions were grouped by age (1-5, 6-8, 9-12, >12 years) and breed for the analysis.
- EVA antibody titer was determined through a serum neutralization test. The semen was analyzed for the EVA virus using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and/or a virus isolation test.
Results
- Out of 308 stallions tested, 14.9% (n = 46) were found to be seropositive for EVA. Additionally, the EVA virus was detected in the semen of 12 stallions, accounting for 26% of the seropositive stallions.
- Over time, the incidence of seropositive stallions decreased — a statistically significant result (P < 0.05, χ test).
- There were differences in the seroprevalence of EVA antibodies between different stallion age groups (P 12 years age group (43.5%).
- The EVA antibody titer increased with age (P < 0.01, Kruskal-Wallis test), possibly as a result of repeated virus challenges.
Conclusion
- The analysis of the monitoring results highlighted a decrease in the seroprevalence of EVA and virus shedding in the European stallion population.
- Since EVA monitoring was the only Europe-wide measure implemented, the compulsory testing likely played a substantial role in this development.
Cite This Article
APA
Kaps M, Wenderoth J, Aurich J, Aurich C.
(2023).
Short communication: Retrospective analysis of obligatory testing results for Equine virus arteritis reveals a decrease of its seroprevalence in stallions used for artificial insemination.
Prev Vet Med, 223, 106096.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106096 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: martim.kaps@vetmeduni.ac.at.
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: J.wenderoth@gmx.net.
- Gynecology, Obstetrics and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: Joerg.aurich@vetmeduni.ac.at.
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: christine.aurich@vetmeduni.ac.at.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Carrier State
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Arteritis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Arterivirus Infections / diagnosis
- Arterivirus Infections / epidemiology
- Arterivirus Infections / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest None of the authors has any conflict of interest to declare.
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