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The Veterinary record2012; 170(9); 227; doi: 10.1136/vr.100150

Two outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus type 1 with breed-dependent clinical signs.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a worldwide spread pathogen of horses. It can cause abortion, respiratory and neurological disease and consequentially significant economic losses in equine industries. During 2009, two outbreaks of EHV-1 were confirmed in two stud farms in Eastern Croatia. The first outbreak occurred in February following the import of 12 horses from USA, serologically negative to EHV-1 before transport. Four mares aborted in the late stage of pregnancy and one perinatal death was recorded. Other six mares showed clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy with fatal end in four. One month later, the second EHV-1 outbreak was confirmed in stud farm about 100 km further with 17 abortions, three perinatal deaths and one mild neurological case. Epidemiological data showed that the disease was probably introduced in the first stud farm during international transport. The second outbreak started with the introduction of clinically healthy stallion from the first stud farm. Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that, despite different clinical signs, the identical virus caused both outbreaks. Both horse populations were free from EHV-1 infection before the outbreak and had not been vaccinated. Significant difference in clinical signs could be explained by different breed-related risk factors.
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Publication Date: 2012-01-18 PubMed ID: 22262701DOI: 10.1136/vr.100150Google 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 at two outbreaks of a horse ailment known as equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) in Eastern Croatia in 2009. The study found that despite different clinical signs, the same virus caused both outbreaks, and the difference in these signs might be explained by different breed-related risk factors.

Overview of the Research

  • The research is based on two outbreaks of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), a virus commonly found in horses across the globe, which occurred during 2009 in two stud farms located in Eastern Croatia.
  • The EHV-1 virus is particularly damaging as it can lead to abortion, respiratory issues, and neurological diseases in horses – subsequently leading to significant economic losses within equine industries due to horse mortality and morbidity.

First Outbreak

  • The first outbreak took place in February after the introduction of 12 American horses, all of which were proven to be EHV-1 negative through a serological test before transport.
  • The result of the outbreak included: four mares aborting late in their pregnancies, one perinatal death, and six mares displaying clinical signs of myeloencephalopathy, a neurological disorder, leading to the death of four of these.

Second Outbreak & Epidemiological Findings

  • A month later, a second outbreak occurred in another stud farm situated roughly 100km away from the initial outbreak site. This resulted in 17 abortions, three more perinatal deaths, and one mild case of neurological impairment.
  • Epidemiological data suggests that the disease might have been introduced to the initial farm via international transport. The second outbreak is believed to have started from the introduction of a clinically healthy stallion from the first affected stud farm.
  • The investigators managed to validate these hypotheses using molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis, which ascertained that, despite differing clinical symptoms between the two outbreaks, the same virus was responsible for both.

Interactions with Breeds and the Absence of Prior Infection

  • The equine populations involved in both outbreaks were uninfected by EHV-1 prior to the events and had not received vaccinations against the virus.
  • The researchers theorize that the significant discrepancies observed in the clinical signs between the horse populations during both outbreaks could be attributed to various breed-related risk factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Barbić L, Lojkić I, Stevanović V, Bedeković T, Starešina V, Lemo N, Lojkić M, Madić J. (2012). Two outbreaks of neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus type 1 with breed-dependent clinical signs. Vet Rec, 170(9), 227. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.100150

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 170
Issue: 9
Pages: 227

Researcher Affiliations

Barbić, L
  • Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Lojkić, I
    Stevanović, V
      Bedeković, T
        Starešina, V
          Lemo, N
            Lojkić, M
              Madić, J

                MeSH Terms

                • Abortion, Veterinary / virology
                • Animals
                • Croatia / epidemiology
                • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                • Female
                • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
                • Herpesviridae Infections / pathology
                • Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
                • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
                • Herpesvirus 1, Equid
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / pathology
                • Horse Diseases / virology
                • Horses
                • Male
                • Pedigree
                • Pregnancy
                • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
                • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology
                • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary
                • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
                • Risk Factors
                • United States

                Citations

                This article has been cited 14 times.
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