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Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus-like non-primate hepacivirus in horses.
Abstract: Non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), a recently discovered hepatotropic virus infecting horses, is phylogenetically the closest known homologue of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The main route for acquiring HCV infection in childhood is vertical transmission. However, nothing is known about the natural mode of transmission for NPHV. To investigate the possibility of vertically transmitted NPHV infection in horses, 20 Thoroughbred broodmares and their foals were monitored during foaling season 2015 until 6 months post-partum. Prepartal serum was taken from the mares, and during foaling umbilical cord blood and colostrum samples were collected. Postnatal serum samples were taken from the foals after delivery. In addition, serum was taken at 3 and 6 months after foaling from all mares and foals. Samples were analysed for the presence of NPHV RNA by quantitative real-time PCR and for the presence of anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies by luciferase immunoprecipitation system. Identified NPHV isolates were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis of the viral glycoproteins was used to track the course of naturally occurring infections and the circulation of distinct isolates within the herd. At parturition, 16 mares were seropositive, including four viraemic mares. Vertical transmission occurred in one of these four mare-foal pairs. Interestingly, NPHV isolates of newly infected foals and mares after 3 and 6 months cluster in their respective pasture herds suggesting another horizontal route of transmission.
Publication Date: 2016-07-26 PubMed ID: 27461949DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000561Google 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.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigated the transmission of Non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), a virus affecting horses that is similar to the hepatitis C virus, focusing on the possibility that the virus could be transmitted vertically from pregnant mares to their foals. The study, which involved the monitoring of 20 Thoroughbred broodmares and their foals for 6 months after birth, discovered evidence suggesting vertical transmission in one case, but also highlighted that horizontal transmission mechanisms exist within herd environments.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted by monitoring 20 Thoroughbred broodmares and their foals during the foaling season of 2015 until six months post-partum.
- Samples were collected at various stages – pre-partum serum from the mares, umbilical cord blood and colostrum during foaling, and postnatal serum samples from the foals after delivery. Additional serum samples were taken at 3 and 6 months post-foaling.
- These samples were tested for NPHV RNA and for the presence of anti-NPHV NS3 antibodies. Identified NPHV isolates were also sequenced, and the viral glycoproteins were analyzed to track the viral infection pattern and isolate circulation within the herd.
Findings
- Of the 20 mares, 16 were found to be seropositive at the time of parturition, with four being viraemic.
- Evidence of vertical transmission – from mother to offspring – was found in one of these four mare-foal pairs.
- Newly infected foals and mares at 3 and 6 months showed NPHV isolates clustering within their respective pasture herds, suggesting the possibility of an additional transmission method – specifically horizontal transmission where the virus spreads among members of the same herd.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that vertical transmission of NPHV is possible, though the data also suggest that horizontal transmission mechanisms exist within herd environments. These findings added valuable new insight into the transmission of NPHV in horse populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Gather T, Walter S, Todt D, Pfaender S, Brown RJP, Postel A, Becher P, Moritz A, Hansmann F, Baumgaertner W, Feige K, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JV.
(2016).
Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus-like non-primate hepacivirus in horses.
J Gen Virol, 97(10), 2540-2551.
https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.000561 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Straße 108, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Hepacivirus / genetics
- Hepacivirus / physiology
- Hepatitis C / transmission
- Hepatitis C / veterinary
- Hepatitis C / virology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
- Male
- Phylogeny
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
Citations
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