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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract / Update on viral diseases of the equine respiratory tract.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice2015; 31(1); 91-104; doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.11.007

Update on viral diseases of the equine respiratory tract.

Abstract: Many viral agents have been associated with respiratory disease of the horse. The most important viral causes of respiratory disease in horses are equine influenza and the equine alphaherpesviruses. Agents such as equine viral arteritis virus, African horse sickness virus, and Hendra virus establish systemic infections. Clinical signs of disease resulting from infection with these agents can manifest as respiratory disease, but the respiratory tract is not the major body system affected by these viruses. Treatment of viral respiratory disease is generally limited to supportive therapies, whereas targeted antimicrobial therapy is effective in cases of bacterial infection.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-31 PubMed ID: 25648568DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.11.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article explores the various viral agents responsible for respiratory diseases in horses, with a particular focus on equine influenza and alphaherpesviruses. The authors discuss how treatment is typically supportive, but can include targeted antimicrobial therapy in cases of bacterial infection.

Viral agents causing respiratory diseases in horses

  • The research article revolves around the different viral diseases affecting the respiratory tract of horses. The authors put a spotlight on several viral agents but pay distinct attention to the equine influenza virus and the equine alphaherpesviruses, recognizing them as the most critical causes of respiratory illness in horses.

Systemic infections in horses

  • The authors discuss other viral agents beyond those affecting primarily the respiratory system. These include the equine viral arteritis virus, African horse sickness virus, and Hendra virus, which establish systemic infections within the equine body.
  • Though these agents may cause clinical symptoms that manifest as respiratory disease, their primary impact is on systems other than the horse’s respiratory tract.

Treatment of viral respiratory diseases

  • More often than not, the treatment protocols for these viral respiratory diseases are limited to supportive therapies. These typically consist of treatments designed to alleviate symptoms and maintain bodily functions rather than directly combat the virus.
  • However, in cases where a bacterial infection is also present, the use of targeted antimicrobial therapy proves effective. This is because unlike viruses, bacteria are susceptible to antimicrobial drugs.

Concluding thoughts

  • In summary, this research sheds light on the main viral causes of respiratory conditions in horses, as well as the established treatments. The findings can guide the development of further studies and potential improvements in equine healthcare, particularly regarding the treatment of respiratory illnesses caused by viral infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Gilkerson JR, Bailey KE, Diaz-Méndez A, Hartley CA. (2015). Update on viral diseases of the equine respiratory tract. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 31(1), 91-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2014.11.007

Publication

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
ISSN: 1558-4224
NlmUniqueID: 8511904
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 91-104

Researcher Affiliations

Gilkerson, James R
  • Centre for Equine Infectious Disease, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: jrgilk@unimelb.edu.au.
Bailey, Kirsten E
  • Centre for Equine Infectious Disease, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Diaz-Méndez, Andrés
  • Centre for Equine Infectious Disease, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Hartley, Carol A
  • Centre for Equine Infectious Disease, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary
  • Virus Diseases / virology

Citations

This article has been cited 19 times.
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