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Viruses2019; 11(10); 946; doi: 10.3390/v11100946

The First Detection of Equine Coronavirus in Adult Horses and Foals in Ireland.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of equine coronavirus (ECoV) in clinical samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory in Ireland. A total of 424 clinical samples were examined from equids with enteric disease in 24 Irish counties between 2011 and 2015. A real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect ECoV RNA. Nucleocapsid, spike and the region from the p4.7 to p12.7 genes of positive samples were sequenced, and sequence and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. Five samples (1.2%) collected in 2011 and 2013 tested positive for ECoV. Positive samples were collected from adult horses, Thoroughbred foals and a donkey foal. Sequence and/or phylogenetic analysis showed that nucleocapsid, spike and p12.7 genes were highly conserved and were closely related to ECoVs identified in other countries. In contrast, the region from p4.7 and the non-coding region following the p4.7 gene had deletions or insertions. The differences in the p4.7 region between the Irish ECoVs and other ECoVs indicated that the Irish viruses were distinguishable from those circulating in other countries. This is the first report of ECoV detected in both foals and adult horses in Ireland.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-14 PubMed ID: 31615132PubMed Central: PMC6832964DOI: 10.3390/v11100946Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 looks into the occurrence of equine coronavirus (ECoV) in Ireland’s horse population. The study investigates 424 clinical samples from horses showing symptoms of intestinal disease across Ireland between 2011 and 2015, finding ECoV in 1.2% of the cases. The report marks the first recorded detection of ECoV in both adult horses and foals in Ireland.

Research Methodology

  • The research took 424 clinical samples from equids with enteric disease i.e., intestinal disease, across 24 Irish counties. The samples were collated over a span of four years, from 2011 to 2015.
  • A method known as the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect ECoVs RNA in the samples.
  • Parts of the genes, known as the nucleocapsid, spike, p4.7, and p12.7, from ECoV-positive samples were sequenced for further analysis.
  • These sequences were then compared, and a phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis helps ascertain the evolutionary relationships between different species or strains of viruses.

Significant Findings

  • Five out of 424 samples, which equate to 1.2%, tested positive for ECoV. These samples were collected in 2011 and 2013.
  • Positive samples of ECoV were observed in different equids including adult horses, Thoroughbred foals (young horses), and a donkey foal.
  • Through sequence analysis and phylogenetics, the nucleocapsid, spike, and p12.7 genes were largely similar and closely related to the ECoVs identified in other countries. This means these parts of the ECoV seen in Ireland are conserved and closely related to ECoVs found in other parts of the world.
  • However, there were differences observed in the p4.7 region and the non-coding region following the p4.7 gene. These areas displayed insertions or deletions which were different from ECoVs identified in other countries, indicating that the Irish ECoVs were distinct from ECoV strains elsewhere.

Conclusion

  • This research signifies the first recorded detection of ECoV in both foals and adult horses in Ireland.
  • While parts of the ECoVs discovered in Ireland were closely related to those found elsewhere, uniqueness was noted in the p4.7 region and the non-coding region following the p4.7 gene. These different genetic markers suggest that the Irish viruses can be distinguished from those prevalent in other countries.

Cite This Article

APA
Nemoto M, Schofield W, Cullinane A. (2019). The First Detection of Equine Coronavirus in Adult Horses and Foals in Ireland. Viruses, 11(10), 946. https://doi.org/10.3390/v11100946

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 10
PII: 946

Researcher Affiliations

Nemoto, Manabu
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 RH93, Ireland. nemoto_manabu@equinst.go.jp.
  • Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan. nemoto_manabu@equinst.go.jp.
Schofield, Warren
  • Troytown Grey Abbey Equine Hospital, Green Road, Co. Kildare R51 YV04, Ireland. warrenschofield@gmail.com.
Cullinane, Ann
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 RH93, Ireland. acullinane@irishequinecentre.ie.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Betacoronavirus 1 / classification
  • Betacoronavirus 1 / genetics
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Feces / virology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Deletion

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 12 times.
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