Subclinical infection and periodic shedding of equid herpesvirus 3.
Abstract: The temporary disruption of reproductive activities due to equine coital exanthema (ECE), caused by equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), at thoroughbred breeding facilities and embryo transfer centres, has an appreciable economic impact. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of excretion of EHV-3 in mares without clinical symptoms under field conditions and the re-excretion patterns of the virus in two seropositive (presumably latently infected) mares maintained in isolation for 11 mo. The EHV-3 virus was detected in perineal-vaginal swabs by real time PCR in 14 (6%) of 220 thoroughbred mares without clinical symptoms at the time of breeding. In the two isolated mares, re-excretion of EHV-3 was demonstrated on two occasions, 3 mo apart (each for a 3 d interval) in one mare, and on only 1 d in the other mare. Antibodies against EHV-3 were identified by seroneutralization in 105 (48%) of the thoroughbred mares, and during the entire period in the two isolated mares. Therefore, the present study provided evidence of EHV-3 shedders in a healthy mare population under both field and isolation conditions. Furthermore, at least two periods of spontaneous EHV-3 reactivation and re-excretion in the presence of serum antibodies occurred in one mare in an 11 mo interval. These findings could assist in the design and implementation of measures to minimize the spread of EHV-3 and control ECE outbreaks.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-05-23 PubMed ID: 20494427DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.03.014Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research focuses on the prevalence and shedding pattern of the equid herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3), which leads to equine coital exanthema (ECE), a condition that temporarily disrupts reproduction in horses and has a significant economic impact on breeding facilities. The study found that EHV-3 was present in 6% of thoroughbred mares without clinical symptoms and observed periodic virus shedding in infected mares.
Research Context and Aim
- The research focuses on EHV-3, a virus causing ECE, a condition leading to temporary disruption of reproductive activities in thoroughbred horses; this condition has a significant economic fallout on breeding facilities.
- The primary aim was to estimate the prevalence of EHV-3 excretion in symptomless mares under standard conditions and to identify the re-excretion patterns of the virus in seropositive mares.
Methodology and Findings
- EHV-3 virus was detected in perineal-vaginal swabs through the use of real time PCR in horses without clinical symptoms at breeding time.
- Of the 220 thoroughbred mares, 14 (or 6%) were found to be excreting the virus asymptomatically.
- In two isolated mares with seropositive status (presumably with latent infection), EHV-3 re-excretion patterns were observed over a period of 11 months.
- In one mare, re-excretion of EHV-3 was observed on two occasions, three months apart (each for a 3 day interval), and on only one day in the other.
- Research also found antibodies against EHV-3 in 105 (48%) of the thoroughbred mares, and constantly throughout the period in the two isolated mares.
Implications of Research
- This study provides evidence of EHV-3 shedders amid a population of healthy mares under both field and isolation conditions.
- It was further demonstrated that at least two periods of spontaneous EHV-3 reactivation and re-excretion happened in one mare over a span of 11 months, despite the presence of serum antibodies.
- This information is vital in the development and implementation of measures to minimize the spread of EHV-3 and prevent ECE outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Barrandeguy M, Vissani A, Lezica FP, Salamone J, Heguy A, Becerra L, Olguin Perglione C, Thiry E.
(2010).
Subclinical infection and periodic shedding of equid herpesvirus 3.
Theriogenology, 74(4), 576-580.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.03.014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Instituto de Virología, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, CC25, 1712 Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. mbarrandeguy@cnia.inta.gov.ar
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesviridae Infections / virology
- Herpesvirus 3, Equid / isolation & purification
- Herpesvirus 3, Equid / physiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Periodicity
- Virus Activation
- Virus Shedding
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Troncoso I, Calvanese R, Saravia F, Muñoz-Leal S, Zegpi NA, Ortega R. First molecular detection of Equine Herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) in Chile. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):717-720.
- Vissani MA, Damiani AM, Barrandeguy ME. Equine Coital Exanthema: New Insights on the Knowledge and Leading Perspectives for Treatment and Prevention. Pathogens 2021 Aug 20;10(8).
- Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Kirisawa R. Period of excretion of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) from a stallion before showing clinical signs of equine coital exanthema and the effect of acyclovir treatment on the duration of EHV-3 excretion. J Vet Med Sci 2020 Sep 24;82(9):1299-1305.
- Kirisawa R, Toishi Y, Akamatsu A, Soejima K, Miyashita T, Tsunoda N. Isolation of equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) from equine coital exanthema of two stallions and sero-epidemiology of EHV-3 infection in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):636-643.
- Toishi Y, Tsunoda N, Kirisawa R. Occurrence of equine coital exanthema (ECE) in stallions in Japan and effectiveness of treatment with valacyclovir for ECE. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):632-635.
- Atay YE, Ekinci G, Öztürk AE, Timur MC, Mete A, Altınbay K, Derelli FM, Akar Y, Keleş İ. Clinical Prevalence of Equine Coital Exanthema in a Thoroughbred Covering Station in Türkiye (2021-2024). Reprod Domest Anim 2025 Jun;60(6):e70086.
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