FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Sci / Time-related Pathological Changes in Horses Experimentally I...
Journal of equine science2012; 23(2); 17-26; doi: 10.1294/jes.23.17

Time-related Pathological Changes in Horses Experimentally Inoculated with Equine Influenza A Virus.

Abstract: To investigate the pathology of equine influenza, necropsy of 7 horses experimentally infected with equine influenza A virus (EIV) subtype H3N8 was conducted on post-infection days (PID) 2, 3, 7, and 14. Histopathologically, rhinitis or tracheitis including epithelial degeneration or necrosis with loss of ciliated epithelia and a reduction in goblet cell numbers, was observed in the respiratory tracts on PIDs 2 and 3. Epithelial hyperplasia or squamous metaplasia and suppurative bronchopneumonia with proliferation of type II pneumocytes were observed on PIDs 7 and 14. Viral antigen was detected immunohistochemically in the epithelia of the nasal mucosa, trachea, and bronchi on PIDs 2 and 3. The sodA gene of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, a suspected cause of suppurative bronchopneumonia, was detected in paraffin-embedded lung tissue sections, but only on PIDs 7 and 14. These findings suggest that damage caused to ciliated epithelia and goblet cells by EIV infection results in secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia due to a reduction in mucociliary clearance.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-07-06 PubMed ID: 24833992PubMed Central: PMC4013977DOI: 10.1294/jes.23.17Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

The research focuses on understanding the pathological changes in horses infected with equine influenza A, specifically the H3N8 subtype, and how these changes progress over time. The study found that the virus not only causes damage to the cells of the horse’s respiratory tract but also predisposes them to secondary bacterial infections due to impaired clearance.

Methods

  • Seven horses were artificially infected with the equine influenza A (H3N8) virus as part of this study.
  • Post-infection days (PIDs) 2, 3, 7, and 14 were selected for necropsies (autopsies for animals) to understand the pathogenesis over time.
  • These necropsies allowed the researchers to observe histopathological changes, or changes in the microscopic structure of diseased tissue, related to the infection.
  • The team also used immunohistochemistry, a method that uses antibodies to detect antigens within tissue sections, to identify the presence of the viral antigen in the nasal mucosa, trachea, and bronchi on PIDs 2 and 3.
  • Using lung tissue sections preserved in paraffin, the researchers identified the presence of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus — a bacterium suspected to cause bronchopneumonia in horses — only on PIDs 7 and 14.

Findings

  • On PIDs 2 and 3, rhinitis or tracheitis, which included epithelial degeneration or necrosis and a loss of ciliated epithelia (cell linings that move mucus and dirt out of the lungs) as well as reduced goblet cell numbers (cells that produce mucus), were observed in the respiratory tracts.
  • On PIDs 7 and 14, epithelial hyperplasia (enlargement of an organ or tissue due to an increased number of cells), squamous metaplasia (transformation of normal epithelial cells into squamous cells), and suppurative bronchopneumonia (a type of pneumonia characterized by the presence of pus in the lungs) accompanied by proliferation of type II pneumocytes (cells that produce surfactant to prevent the lungs from collapsing) were observed.
  • Evidence of the viral antigen was found in the nasal mucosa, trachea, and bronchi on PIDs 2 and 3. The presence of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus was only found on PIDs 7 and 14.

Conclusions

  • The findings suggest that EIV infection damages both ciliated epithelial cells and goblet cells. This damage impairs the horse’s ability to clear mucus and foreign particles from the lungs (mucociliary clearance), which in turn makes the horses more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections such as bronchopneumonia caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.
  • An understanding of these results could help in formulating better treatment strategies for equine influenza, such as preventing or managing these secondary infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Muranaka M, Yamanaka T, Katayama Y, Niwa H, Oku K, Matsumura T, Oyamada T. (2012). Time-related Pathological Changes in Horses Experimentally Inoculated with Equine Influenza A Virus. J Equine Sci, 23(2), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.23.17

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Pages: 17-26

Researcher Affiliations

Muranaka, Masanori
  • Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Yamanaka, Takashi
  • Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Katayama, Yoshinari
  • Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Niwa, Hidekazu
  • Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Oku, Kazuomi
  • Racehorse Clinic, Miho Training Center, the Japan Racing Association, Ibaraki 300-0415, Japan.
Matsumura, Tomio
  • Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Oyamada, Toshifumi
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.

References

This article includes 26 references
  1. Båverud V, Johansson SK, Aspan A. Real-time PCR for detection and differentiation of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.. Vet Microbiol 2007 Oct 6;124(3-4):219-29.
    pubmed: 17531409doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.04.020google scholar: lookup
  2. Begg AP, Reece RL, Hum S, Townsend W, Gordon A, Carrick J. Pathological changes in horses dying with equine influenza in Australia, 2007.. Aust Vet J 2011 Jul;89 Suppl 1:19-22.
    pubmed: 21711275doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2011.00731.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  3. Castleman WL, Powe JR, Crawford PC, Gibbs EP, Dubovi EJ, Donis RO, Hanshaw D. Canine H3N8 influenza virus infection in dogs and mice.. Vet Pathol 2010 May;47(3):507-17.
    pubmed: 20351357doi: 10.1177/0300985810363718google scholar: lookup
  4. Caswell JL, Williams KJ. Equine influenza. Jubb, Kennedy & Palmer’s Pathology of Domestic Animals 5th ed., Vol 2., pp. 628–689, Saunders, Philadelphia, 2007.
  5. Chambers TM, Quinlivan M, Sturgill T, Cullinane A, Horohov DW, Zamarin D, Arkins S, García-Sastre A, Palese P. Influenza A viruses with truncated NS1 as modified live virus vaccines: pilot studies of safety and efficacy in horses.. Equine Vet J 2009 Jan;41(1):87-92.
    pmc: PMC2878972pubmed: 19301588doi: 10.2746/042516408x371937google scholar: lookup
  6. Daly JM, Blunden AS, Macrae S, Miller J, Bowman SJ, Kolodziejek J, Nowotny N, Smith KC. Transmission of equine influenza virus to English foxhounds.. Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Mar;14(3):461-4.
    pmc: PMC2570814pubmed: 18325262doi: 10.3201/eid1403.070643google scholar: lookup
  7. Ito T. Interspecies transmission and receptor recognition of influenza A viruses.. Microbiol Immunol 2000;44(6):423-30.
    pubmed: 10941924doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2000.tb02516.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Kästner SB, Haines DM, Archer J, Townsend HG. Investigations on the ability of clenbuterol hydrochloride to reduce clinical signs and inflammation associated with equine influenza A infection.. Equine Vet J 1999 Mar;31(2):160-8.
    pubmed: 10213429doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03810.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  9. Lakritz J, Wilson WD, Berry CR, Schrenzel MD, Carlson GP, Madigan JE. Bronchointerstitial pneumonia and respiratory distress in young horses: clinical, clinicopathologic, radiographic, and pathological findings in 23 cases (1984-1989).. J Vet Intern Med 1993 Sep-Oct;7(5):277-88.
    pubmed: 8263846doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1993.tb01020.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  10. Mumford JA, Hannant D, Jessett DM. Experimental infection of ponies with equine influenza (H3N8) viruses by intranasal inoculation or exposure to aerosols.. Equine Vet J 1990 Mar;22(2):93-8.
    pubmed: 2156688doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04217.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  11. Muranaka M, Yamanaka T, Katayama Y, Hidari K, Kanazawa H, Suzuki T, Oku K, Oyamada T. Distribution of influenza virus sialoreceptors on upper and lower respiratory tract in horses and dogs.. J Vet Med Sci 2011 Jan;73(1):125-7.
    pubmed: 20805638doi: 10.1292/jvms.10-0276google scholar: lookup
  12. Nishiura H, Satou K. Potential effectiveness of public health interventions during the equine influenza outbreak in racehorse facilities in Japan, 2007.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2010 Jun;57(3):162-70.
    pubmed: 20345573doi: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2010.01134.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  13. Patterson-Kane JC, Carrick JB, Axon JE, Wilkie I, Begg AP. The pathology of bronchointerstitial pneumonia in young foals associated with the first outbreak of equine influenza in Australia.. Equine Vet J 2008 May;40(3):199-203.
    pubmed: 18321807doi: 10.2746/042516408x292214google scholar: lookup
  14. Pittet LA, Hall-Stoodley L, Rutkowski MR, Harmsen AG. Influenza virus infection decreases tracheal mucociliary velocity and clearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae.. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2010 Apr;42(4):450-60.
    pmc: PMC2848738pubmed: 19520922doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2007-0417ocgoogle scholar: lookup
  15. Sarasola P, Taylor DJ, Love S, McKellar QA. Secondary bacterial infections following an outbreak of equine influenza.. Vet Rec 1992 Nov 7;131(19):441-2.
    pubmed: 1333669doi: 10.1136/vr.131.19.441google scholar: lookup
  16. Sutton GA, Viel L, Carman PS, Boag BL. Study of the duration and distribution of equine influenza virus subtype 2 (H3N8) antigens in experimentally infected ponies in vivo.. Can J Vet Res 1997 Apr;61(2):113-20.
    pmc: PMC1189387pubmed: 9114962
  17. Suzuki Y, Ito T, Suzuki T, Holland RE Jr, Chambers TM, Kiso M, Ishida H, Kawaoka Y. Sialic acid species as a determinant of the host range of influenza A viruses.. J Virol 2000 Dec;74(24):11825-31.
    pmc: PMC112465pubmed: 11090182doi: 10.1128/jvi.74.24.11825-11831.2000google scholar: lookup
  18. Timoney PJ. Equine influenza.. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 1996 Jun;19(3):205-11.
    pubmed: 8800546doi: 10.1016/0147-9571(96)00006-9google scholar: lookup
  19. van Maanen C, Cullinane A. Equine influenza virus infections: an update.. Vet Q 2002 Jun;24(2):79-94.
    pubmed: 12095083doi: 10.1080/01652176.2002.9695127google scholar: lookup
  20. van Riel D, Rimmelzwaan GF, van Amerongen G, Osterhaus AD, Kuiken T. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N7 isolated from a fatal human case causes respiratory disease in cats but does not spread systemically.. Am J Pathol 2010 Nov;177(5):2185-90.
    pmc: PMC2966778pubmed: 20847292doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.100401google scholar: lookup
  21. Webster RG, Bean WJ, Gorman OT, Chambers TM, Kawaoka Y. Evolution and ecology of influenza A viruses.. Microbiol Rev 1992 Mar;56(1):152-79.
    pmc: PMC372859pubmed: 1579108doi: 10.1128/mr.56.1.152-179.1992google scholar: lookup
  22. Willoughby R, Ecker G, McKee S, Riddolls L, Vernaillen C, Dubovi E, Lein D, Mahony JB, Chernesky M, Nagy E. The effects of equine rhinovirus, influenza virus and herpesvirus infection on tracheal clearance rate in horses.. Can J Vet Res 1992 Apr;56(2):115-21.
    pmc: PMC1263518pubmed: 1317244
  23. Yamanaka T, Nemoto M, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T. Interspecies transmission of equine influenza virus (H3N8) to dogs by close contact with experimentally infected horses.. Vet Microbiol 2009 Nov 18;139(3-4):351-5.
    pubmed: 19596528doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.06.015google scholar: lookup
  24. Yamanaka T, Niwa H, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T. Epidemic of equine influenza among vaccinated racehorses in Japan in 2007.. J Vet Med Sci 2008 Jun;70(6):623-5.
    pubmed: 18628606doi: 10.1292/jvms.70.623google scholar: lookup
  25. Yamanaka T, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Hobo S, Matsumura T. Efficacy of oseltamivir phosphate to horses inoculated with equine influenza A virus.. J Vet Med Sci 2006 Sep;68(9):923-8.
    pubmed: 17019060doi: 10.1292/jvms.68.923google scholar: lookup
  26. Yamanaka T, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T, Ishida H, Kiso M, Hidari KI, Suzuki T. Infectivity and pathogenicity of canine H3N8 influenza A virus in horses.. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2010 Nov;4(6):345-51.
    pmc: PMC4634615pubmed: 20958928doi: 10.1111/j.1750-2659.2010.00157.xgoogle scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines10101718pubmed: 36298583google scholar: lookup
  2. Whitlock F, Murcia PR, Newton JR. A Review on Equine Influenza from a Human Influenza Perspective. Viruses 2022 Jun 15;14(6).
    doi: 10.3390/v14061312pubmed: 35746783google scholar: lookup
  3. Rozario C, Martínez-Sobrido L, McSorley HJ, Chauché C. Could Interleukin-33 (IL-33) Govern the Outcome of an Equine Influenza Virus Infection? Learning from Other Species. Viruses 2021 Dec 15;13(12).
    doi: 10.3390/v13122519pubmed: 34960788google scholar: lookup
  4. Amat JAR, Patton V, Chauché C, Goldfarb D, Crispell J, Gu Q, Coburn AM, Gonzalez G, Mair D, Tong L, Martinez-Sobrido L, Marshall JF, Marchesi F, Murcia PR. Long-term adaptation following influenza A virus host shifts results in increased within-host viral fitness due to higher replication rates, broader dissemination within the respiratory epithelium and reduced tissue damage. PLoS Pathog 2021 Dec;17(12):e1010174.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010174pubmed: 34919598google scholar: lookup
  5. Léon A, Castagnet S, Maillard K, Paillot R, Giard JC. Evolution of In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Equine Clinical Isolates in France between 2016 and 2019. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 7;10(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10050812pubmed: 32392891google scholar: lookup
  6. Zhu H, Damdinjav B, Gonzalez G, Patrono LV, Ramirez-Mendoza H, Amat JAR, Crispell J, Parr YA, Hammond TA, Shiilegdamba E, Leung YHC, Peiris M, Marshall JF, Hughes J, Gilbert M, Murcia PR. Absence of adaptive evolution is the main barrier against influenza emergence in horses in Asia despite frequent virus interspecies transmission from wild birds. PLoS Pathog 2019 Feb;15(2):e1007531.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007531pubmed: 30731004google scholar: lookup
  7. Pavulraj S, Bera BC, Joshi A, Anand T, Virmani M, Vaid RK, Shanmugasundaram K, Gulati BR, Rajukumar K, Singh R, Misri J, Singh RK, Tripathi BN, Virmani N. Pathology of Equine Influenza virus (H3N8) in Murine Model. PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0143094.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143094pubmed: 26587990google scholar: lookup
  8. Chambers TM. Equine Influenza. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2022 Jan 4;12(1).
    doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a038331pubmed: 32152243google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.