Systematic Review of Equine Influenza A Virus Vaccine Studies and Meta-Analysis of Vaccine Efficacy.
Abstract: Vaccines against equine influenza have been available since the late 1960s, but outbreaks continue to occur periodically, affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated animals. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of vaccines against influenza A virus in horses (equine IAV). For this, PubMed, CAB abstracts, and Web of Science were searched for controlled trials of equine IAV vaccines published up to December 2020. Forty-three articles reporting equine IAV vaccination and challenge studies in previously naïve equids using an appropriate comparison group were included in a qualitative analysis of vaccine efficacy. A value for vaccine efficacy (VE) was calculated as the percentage reduction in nasopharyngeal virus shedding detected by virus isolation in embryonated hens' eggs from 38 articles. Among 21 studies involving commercial vaccines, the mean VE was 50.03% (95% CI: 23.35-76.71%), ranging from 0 to 100%. Among 17 studies reporting the use of experimental vaccines, the mean VE was 40.37% (95% CI: 19.64-62.44), and the range was again 0-100%. Overall, complete protection from virus shedding was achieved in five studies. In conclusion, although commercially available vaccines can, in some circumstances, offer complete protection from infection, the requirement for frequent vaccination in the field to limit virus shedding and hence transmission is apparent. Although most studies were conducted by a few centres, a lack of consistent study design made comparisons difficult.
Publication Date: 2023-11-28 PubMed ID: 38140577PubMed Central: PMC10747572DOI: 10.3390/v15122337Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Systematic Review
- Meta-Analysis
- 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.
Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines against equine influenza A virus, revealing that while some vaccines provide complete protection, overall efficacy varies widely and frequent vaccination is necessary to control virus transmission.
Introduction and Purpose
- Equine influenza outbreaks continue to occur despite the availability of vaccines since the 1960s.
- The study aimed to systematically review available vaccine studies and perform a meta-analysis of their efficacy against equine influenza A virus (IAV).
- An emphasis was placed on assessing vaccine performance in controlled trials involving previously unexposed horses.
Methodology
- Database Search: The researchers searched PubMed, CAB abstracts, and Web of Science for relevant studies published until December 2020.
- Inclusion Criteria: Selected studies had to be controlled trials that evaluated vaccination and subsequent virus challenge in naïve horses with an appropriate comparison group.
- Study Selection: A total of 43 articles met criteria for qualitative review of vaccine efficacy, while 38 provided sufficient data for quantitative estimation (vaccine efficacy calculation).
- Data Extraction: Vaccine efficacy (VE) was calculated as the percentage reduction in nasopharyngeal virus shedding, which was measured by virus isolation in embryonated hens’ eggs.
Results – Vaccine Efficacy
- Commercial Vaccines:
- 21 studies evaluated commercially available vaccines.
- The average VE was 50.03%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 23.35% to 76.71%.
- Vaccine efficacy ranged broadly from no protection (0%) to complete protection (100%).
- Experimental Vaccines:
- 17 studies investigated experimental vaccine formulations.
- Mean VE was slightly lower at 40.37% (95% CI: 19.64–62.44%).
- The range of efficacy outcomes again spanned from 0% to 100%.
- Complete protection from virus shedding was reported only in five studies, highlighting that full immunity is achievable but uncommon across the data set.
Conclusions and Implications
- Vaccines can provide substantial protection and in some cases complete prevention of virus shedding.
- Frequent vaccination is necessary in practical field conditions to limit virus shedding and reduce transmission within equine populations.
- The considerable variability in vaccine efficacy suggests influences of factors such as vaccine type, administration protocols, and study designs.
- The majority of the data originated from a limited number of research centers, which may affect generalizability.
- Differences in study design and methodology among trials hinder straightforward comparisons and synthesis of results.
- The study underscores the need for harmonized vaccine efficacy testing protocols to better compare and improve equine IAV vaccines.
Cite This Article
APA
Elliott S, Olufemi OT, Daly JM.
(2023).
Systematic Review of Equine Influenza A Virus Vaccine Studies and Meta-Analysis of Vaccine Efficacy.
Viruses, 15(12), 2337.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15122337 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
- One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
- One Virology, Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Research, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Female
- Influenza Vaccines
- Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype
- Chickens
- Vaccine Efficacy
- Antibodies, Viral
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Influenza A virus
- Vaccination / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
Grant Funding
- Wellcome Trust
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Domínguez-Odio A, Rodríguez-Martínez E, Paneque Zayas M, Cala-Delgado DL. Research publications and global manufacture of veterinary vaccines against avian influenza A (2019-2023).. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1394675.
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