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Veterinary pathology2010; 47(4); 690-697; doi: 10.1177/0300985810370010

Tissue and cell tropism of African horse sickness virus demonstrated by immunoperoxidase labeling in natural and experimental infection in horses in South Africa.

Abstract: Tissues from 196 experimental and confirmed natural cases of African horse sickness (all 9 serotypes) were examined with a standardized and validated immunohistochemical assay for detection of the causative virus. The study confirmed that heart and lung are the main target tissues for African horse sickness virus (across all serotypes), followed closely by spleen. It also indicated that microvascular endothelial cells and monocyte-macrophages are the main target cells for virus replication. The importance of monocytes as target cells was emphasized, with relatively few tissue macrophages containing antigen in the lung and spleen, respectively. The results were largely in agreement with those of previous studies, but the large number of cases examined permitted more precise description of the location and distribution of antigen in different tissues. Comparison with descriptions of tissue and cell tropism of other orbiviruses indicated similarity with African horse sickness. Immunohistochemistry was shown to be a useful and consistent technique for demonstrating target cells, but the difficulty of identifying cell types-in particular, different types of monocyte-macrophages-is a limitation.
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Publication Date: 2010-05-18 PubMed ID: 20484177DOI: 10.1177/0300985810370010Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Validation Study

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 study examined tissue samples from horses infected with African horse sickness virus to determine which organs and cell types the virus predominantly infects. The research confirms the virus mainly targets the heart and lungs, specifically infecting microvascular endothelial cells and monocyte-macrophages.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers examined tissues from 196 cases of African horse sickness, which included both natural and experimentally induced infections.
  • The study used a standardized and validated immunohistochemical assay to detect the presence of African horse sickness virus.
  • All nine serotypes (variants) of the virus were represented in the study.

Key Findings

  • The heart and lungs were identified as the primary targets of the African horse sickness virus across all serotypes.
  • Specifically, the virus was found to target microvascular endothelial cells and monocyte-macrophages within these organs.
  • The spleen was also indicated as a significant site of infection.
  • Monocytes were shown to be a primary target for the virus, with fewer tissue macrophages in the lungs and spleen containing the antigen.
  • The study corroborated previous findings while offering a more detailed description of antigen location and distribution due to the extensive number of cases examined.

Comparative Analysis

  • The researchers compared their findings regarding tissue and cell tropism (the cells and tissues a virus prefers to infect) of African horse sickness virus with that of other orbiviruses (a family of viruses to which African Horse Sickness virus belongs).
  • Similarities were observed when comparing the cell and tissue preferences of the African horse sickness virus with other orbiviruses.

Techniques and Limitations

  • Immunohistochemistry was demonstrated as a reliable and consistent technique for identifying target cells infected by the virus.
  • However, a noted limitation of this technique was the difficulty in identifying different types of monocyte-macrophages.

Cite This Article

APA
Clift SJ, Penrith ML. (2010). Tissue and cell tropism of African horse sickness virus demonstrated by immunoperoxidase labeling in natural and experimental infection in horses in South Africa. Vet Pathol, 47(4), 690-697. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985810370010

Publication

Veterinary pathology
ISSN: 1544-2217
NlmUniqueID: 0312020
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 47
Issue: 4
Pages: 690-697

Researcher Affiliations

Clift, S J
  • PO Box 14196, Hatfield, 0028, Pretoria, South Africa. sarah.clift@up.ac.za
Penrith, M-L

    MeSH Terms

    • African Horse Sickness / diagnosis
    • African Horse Sickness / immunology
    • African Horse Sickness / virology
    • African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
    • Animals
    • Heart / virology
    • Horses
    • Immunohistochemistry / methods
    • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
    • Lung / virology
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Spleen / virology

    Citations

    This article has been cited 8 times.
    1. Piketh G, Viljoen A, Eberhardt C. Clinical signs, clinical pathology and outcomes in horses infected naturally with equine encephalosis virus. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):434-443.
      doi: 10.1111/evj.70117pubmed: 41235818google scholar: lookup
    2. Chinyere CN, Ajaebili AC, Peter-Ajuzie IK, Galadima HB, Daodu OB, Fatola OI, Okolo CC, Alaba BA, Akinniyi OO, Omoniwa DO, Edeh ER, Olorunfemi AB, Olayinka TA, Ojurongbe O, Oluwayelu DO, Muhammad AB, Abubakar MB, Meseko CA, Happi AN, Happi CT, Bakarey AS, Groschup MH, Olopade JO. Prevalence of African Horse Sickness Virus Antibodies in Horses and Selected Wildlife in Four Geographical Regions of Nigeria. Vet Med Int 2025;2025:4106678.
      doi: 10.1155/vmi/4106678pubmed: 40893456google scholar: lookup
    3. Pitchers KG, Boakye OD, Campeotto I, Daly JM. The Potential of Plant-Produced Virus-like Particle Vaccines for African Horse Sickness and Other Equine Orbiviruses. Pathogens 2024 May 28;13(6).
      doi: 10.3390/pathogens13060458pubmed: 38921755google scholar: lookup
    4. Calvo-Pinilla E, Jiménez-Cabello L, Utrilla-Trigo S, Illescas-Amo M, Ortego J. Cytokine mRNA Expression Profile in Target Organs of IFNAR (-/-) Mice Infected with African Horse Sickness Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2024 Feb 8;25(4).
      doi: 10.3390/ijms25042065pubmed: 38396742google scholar: lookup
    5. Jones LM, Hawes PC, Salguero FJ, Castillo-Olivares J. Pathological features of African horse sickness virus infection in IFNAR(-/-) mice. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1114240.
      doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1114240pubmed: 37065248google scholar: lookup
    6. Molesan A, Goodman L, Ford J, Lovering SJ, Kelly K. The Causes of Canine Myocarditis and Myocardial Fibrosis Are Elusive by Targeted Molecular Testing: Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review. Vet Pathol 2019 Sep;56(5):761-777.
      doi: 10.1177/0300985819839241pubmed: 31106678google scholar: lookup
    7. Conradie AM, Stassen L, Huismans H, Potgieter CA, Theron J. Establishment of different plasmid only-based reverse genetics systems for the recovery of African horse sickness virus. Virology 2016 Dec;499:144-155.
      doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.07.010pubmed: 27657835google scholar: lookup
    8. Zwart L, Potgieter CA, Clift SJ, van Staden V. Characterising Non-Structural Protein NS4 of African Horse Sickness Virus. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0124281.
      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124281pubmed: 25915516google scholar: lookup
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