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Home / Equine Research Bank / N Z Vet J / Viruses associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory dise...
New Zealand veterinary journal2005; 50(4); 132-139; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2002.36299

Viruses associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory disease in New Zealand.

Abstract: To identify viruses associated with respiratory disease in young horses in New Zealand. Methods: Nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from 45 foals or horses from five separate outbreaks of respiratory disease that occurred in New Zealand in 1996, and from 37 yearlings at the time of the annual yearling sales in January that same year. Virus isolation from nasal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) was undertaken and serum samples were tested for antibodies against equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4 and EHV-5), equine rhinitis-A virus (ERAV), equine rhinitis-B virus (ERBV), equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1), equine arteritis virus (EAV), reovirus 3 and parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3). Results: Viruses were isolated from 24/94 (26%) nasal swab samples and from 77/80 (96%) PBL samples collected from both healthy horses and horses showing clinical signs of respiratory disease. All isolates were identified as EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5 or untyped EHV. Of the horses and foals tested, 59/82 (72%) were positive for EHV-1 and/or EHV-4 serum neutralising (SN) antibody on at least one sampling occasion, 52/82 (63%) for EHV-1-specific antibody tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 10/80 (13%) for ERAV SN antibody, 60/80 (75%) for ERBV SN antibody, and 42/80 (53%) for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody to EAdV-1. None of the 64 serum samples tested were positive for antibodies to EAV, reovirus 3 or PIV3. Evidence of infection with all viruses tested was detected in both healthy horses and in horses showing clinical signs of respiratory disease. Recent EHV-2 infection was associated with the development of signs of respiratory disease among yearlings [relative risk (RR)=2.67, 95% CI=1.59-4.47, p=0.017]. Conclusions: Of the equine respiratory viruses detected in horses in New Zealand during this study, EHV-2 was most likely to be associated with respiratory disease. However, factors other than viral infection are probably important in the development of clinical signs of disease.
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Publication Date: 2005-07-21 PubMed ID: 16032259DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2002.36299Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 aimed to identify the viruses linked with respiratory diseases in young horses in New Zealand. The study found that equine herpesvirus (EHV-2) was the most likely virus to be associated with the diseases, but it also suggested that there could be other contributing factors than solely viral infection.

Methodology

  • To identify the viruses associated with respiratory disorders in young horses, the researchers collected nasal swabs and blood samples from 45 foals or horses during five different outbreaks. These outbreaks occurred in New Zealand in 1996. Additionally, samples were also taken from 37 yearlings during the annual yearling sales in January that year.
  • The researchers isolated the viruses from the nasal swabs and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). They also tested serum samples for antibodies against various equine viruses like equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, and EHV-5), equine rhinitis-A virus (ERAV), equine rhinitis-B virus (ERBV), equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1), equine arteritis virus (EAV), reovirus 3 and parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3).

Results

  • From the samples collected, viruses were isolated from 26% of nasal swab samples and 96% of PBL samples. The samples collected were from both healthy horses and horses showing signs of respiratory disease. All isolates were identified as EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5 or untyped EHV.
  • From the horses and foals tested, 72% tested positive for EHV-1 and/or EHV-4 serum neutralising (SN) antibodies, 63% tested positive for EHV-1-specific antibodies as verified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 13% tested positive for ERAV SN antibodies, 75% tested positive for ERBV SN antibodies, and 53% tested positive for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies to EAdV-1.
  • However, none of the 64 serum samples tested were positive for antibodies to EAV, reovirus 3 or PIV3.

Conclusion

  • The study found the virus EHV-2 most commonly associated with respiratory diseases in horses in New Zealand. However, the study also points out that there may be more factors contributing to the development of clinical signs of the disease than just viral infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Dunowska M, Wilks CR, Studdert MJ, Meers J. (2005). Viruses associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory disease in New Zealand. N Z Vet J, 50(4), 132-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2002.36299

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 0048-0169
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 4
Pages: 132-139

Researcher Affiliations

Dunowska, M
  • Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. mdunowsk@lamat.colostate.edu
Wilks, C R
    Studdert, M J
      Meers, J

        Citations

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