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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Shuni virus as cause of neurologic disease in horses.
Emerging infectious diseases2012; 18(2); 318-321; doi: 10.3201/eid1802.111403

Shuni virus as cause of neurologic disease in horses.

Abstract: To determine which agents cause neurologic disease in horses, we conducted reverse transcription PCR on isolates from of a horse with encephalitis and 111 other horses with acute disease. Shuni virus was found in 7 horses, 5 of which had neurologic signs. Testing for lesser known viruses should be considered for horses with unexplained illness.
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Publication Date: 2012-02-07 PubMed ID: 22305525PubMed Central: PMC3310469DOI: 10.3201/eid1802.111403Google 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 research article focuses on Shuni virus as a potential agent causing neurological diseases in horses and highlights the importance of considering less known viruses in diagnosing unexplained illnesses in horses.

Objective of the Research

  • The primary objective of this study was to uncover the pathogenic agents responsible for neurological diseases in horses. Specifically, the researchers were interested in identifying the prevalence of Shuni virus infection among horses exhibiting signs of acute illness, including encephalitis and other neurological disorders.

Methodology

  • To achieve this, the researchers used reverse transcription PCR, a method particularly suited for detecting RNA viruses, to examine isolates taken from 112 horses. One of these horses had been diagnosed with encephalitis while the other 111 were suffering from other forms of acute disease.

Findings

  • The results of the study showed that seven of the horses had Shuni virus. Remarkably, five of these infected horses displayed neurological signs—suggesting that the Shuni virus could be associated with the neurological illnesses evident in these horses.

Implications

  • The findings of this study underline the importance of considering less known viruses when investigating unexplained illnesses in horses. By expanding the scope of potential culprits to include newer or less prevalent viruses, veterinarians might improve their chances of accurately diagnosing and treating afflicted horses.

Conclusion

  • The research concludes that Shuni virus may be a significant cause of neurological diseases in horses. Further studies and additional data collection are recommended to confirm this link and better understand the threat posed by Shuni virus and similar less-known viruses.

Cite This Article

APA
van Eeden C, Williams JH, Gerdes TG, van Wilpe E, Viljoen A, Swanepoel R, Venter M. (2012). Shuni virus as cause of neurologic disease in horses. Emerg Infect Dis, 18(2), 318-321. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1802.111403

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Pages: 318-321

Researcher Affiliations

van Eeden, Charmaine
  • University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Williams, June H
    Gerdes, Truuske G H
      van Wilpe, Erna
        Viljoen, Adrianne
          Swanepoel, Robert
            Venter, Marietjie

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Bunyaviridae Infections / diagnosis
              • Bunyaviridae Infections / veterinary
              • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology
              • Chlorocebus aethiops
              • Encephalitis, Viral / diagnosis
              • Encephalitis, Viral / veterinary
              • Encephalitis, Viral / virology
              • Fatal Outcome
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / virology
              • Horses
              • Orthobunyavirus / genetics
              • Orthobunyavirus / isolation & purification
              • Orthobunyavirus / ultrastructure
              • Phylogeny
              • Vero Cells

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