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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2019; 8(2); doi: 10.3390/pathogens8020062

Whole Genome Sequencing of the First H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Identified in Malaysia.

Abstract: In August 2015, Malaysia experienced an outbreak of acute respiratory disease in racehorses. Clinical signs observed were consistent with equine influenza (EI) infection. The index cases were horses recently imported from New Zealand. Rapid control measures, including temporary cancellation of racing, were implemented to minimize the impact of the outbreak. By November, the disease outbreak was resolved, and movement restrictions were lifted. The aim of this study was to confirm the clinical diagnosis and characterize the causal virus. A pan-reactive influenza type A real-time RT-PCR was used for confirmatory diagnosis. Antigenic characterization by haemagglutinin inhibition using a panel of specific ferret antisera indicated that the causal virus belonged to clade 1 of the H3N8 Florida sub-lineage. The genetic characterization was achieved by the whole genome sequencing of positive nasal swabs from clinically affected animals. Pylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes demonstrated ≥99% homology with several EI strains that had recently circulated in the USA and Japan. The antigenic and genetic characterization did not indicate that the current World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations for EI vaccine composition required modification.
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Publication Date: 2019-05-10 PubMed ID: 31083430PubMed Central: PMC6630255DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8020062Google 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 explores an outbreak of equine influenza in racehorses in Malaysia in 2015 and uses genetic sequencing to identify the virus strain responsible, which was consistent with the H3N8 subtype normally associated with equine influenza.

Background of the Research

  • In 2015, Malaysia experienced a significant outbreak of acute respiratory disease amongst racehorses, characterized by symptoms indicative of equine influenza (EI) infection.
  • The initial cases were discovered in horses that had been recently imported from New Zealand.
  • Several control measures were immediately implemented, which included the temporary halt of racing activities. By November, the disease outbreak had been successfully contained and restrictions were lifted.

Aim and Approach of the Study

  • The objective of this study was to confirm the clinical diagnosis of equine influenza following the outbreak and characterize the virus responsible for the infection.
  • The researchers carried out a confirmatory diagnosis using an influenza type A real-time RT-PCR, which is a method used to detect and quantify specific genetic material in a sample.
  • The antigenic characterization of the virus was done using haemagglutinin inhibition along with a panel of ferret antisera.
  • The genetic characterization was attained by sequencing the entire genome from nasal swabs taken from the clinically affected animals.

Findings and Implications

  • The research identified the virus to belong to clade 1 of the H3N8 Florida sub-lineage, implicating this as the strain responsible for the equine influenza outbreak.
  • The phylogenetic analysis of haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes showed high homology (≥99%) to several EI strains recently identified in the USA and Japan.
  • The study’s findings suggest that despite the outbreak and virus identification, there was no need for revision to the existing World Organisation for Animal Health’s recommendations for equine influenza vaccine composition.

The results of this study hold important implications for equine influenza surveillance and control measures, especially regarding international equine trade. Future monitoring efforts can be improved by utilizing the genetic information provided in this study.

Cite This Article

APA
Gahan J, Garvey M, Asmah Abd Samad R, Cullinane A. (2019). Whole Genome Sequencing of the First H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Identified in Malaysia. Pathogens, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens8020062

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Gahan, Jacinta
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 RH93, Ireland. JGahan@irishequinecentre.ie.
Garvey, Marie
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 RH93, Ireland. MGarvey@irishequinecentre.ie.
Asmah Abd Samad, Rozanah
  • Department of Veterinary Services, Federal Government Administration Centre, 62630 Putrajaya, Malaysia. rozanah@dvs.gov.my.
Cullinane, Ann
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91 RH93, Ireland. ACullinane@irishequinecentre.ie.

Grant Funding

  • 2016 OIE / Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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