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Canadian journal of comparative medicine and veterinary science1965; 29(1); 18-22;

ZBITNEW A: UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN THOUROUGHBRED HORSES: STUDIES OF ITS VIRAL ETIOLOGY IN THE TORONTO AREA, 1960 TO 1963.

Abstract: From outbreaks of upper respiratory infection of horses in the Toronto area between 1960 and 1963, several viruses have been isolated. The viruses, isolated in tissue cultures or eggs, include an equine strain of Myxovirus parainfluenzae 3; two strains of equine influenza virus, A/equi-1/Prague/56, and A/equi-2/Miami/63; equine rhinopneumonitis virus, and two newly recognized viruses of the horse, equine rhinoviruses. In addition serological evidence suggested a widespread infection with these viruses in the population under study. Because of the identical clinical picture seen and the complex etiology of the disease, immunization against upper respiratory disease of the horse does not appear to be completely feasible at this time.
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Publication Date: 1965-01-01 PubMed ID: 14230908PubMed Central: PMC1494351
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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.

This research investigates the causes of upper respiratory infections in thoroughbred horses in the Toronto area from 1960 to 1963, finding several viruses behind the outbreak, and suggesting that immunization may not currently be fully achievable.

Study Overview

  • This study was conducted with the main aim of identifying the viral causes of upper respiratory infections in thoroughbred horses in the Toronto area over a three-year span from 1960 to 1963. This was done through the isolation of various viruses from the horses that suffered from such infections during the period of study.

Viral Identification

  • The researchers were able to isolate several viruses from tissue cultures or eggs of the affected horses. These inculde an equine strain of Myxovirus parainfluenzae 3, two strains of equine influenza virus, namely A/equi-1/Prague/56 and A/equi-2/Miami/63.
  • Additionally, they also identified the equine rhinopneumonitis virus, and two new viruses which had not been previously recognized, termed as equine rhinoviruses.

Serological Evidence

  • Apart from the viruses that were physically isolated, serological evidence, based on the presence of specific antibodies in the horses’ bloodstream, indicated a widespread infection with these identified viruses in the horse population studied.

Complex Etiology and Immunization Feasibility

  • Despite the identification of multiple viruses, the clinical picture presented by the horses infected was more or less the same, suggesting a complex etiology – or cause – behind the disease. This complexity makes it harder to find a one-size-fits-all solution to the problem.
  • The authors of the study also noted that due to this complex cause behind the disease, the development and implementation of an effective immunization program against this upper respiratory disease does not seem completely feasible at this time. This suggests a need for further research and development to combat this problem.

Cite This Article

APA
DITCHFIELD J, MACPHERSON LW. (1965). ZBITNEW A: UPPER RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN THOUROUGHBRED HORSES: STUDIES OF ITS VIRAL ETIOLOGY IN THE TORONTO AREA, 1960 TO 1963. Can J Comp Med Vet Sci, 29(1), 18-22.

Publication

Canadian journal of comparative medicine and veterinary science
ISSN: 0316-5957
NlmUniqueID: 0151757
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 18-22

Researcher Affiliations

DITCHFIELD, J
    MACPHERSON, L W

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Canada
      • Disease Outbreaks
      • Herpesviridae
      • Horse Diseases
      • Horses
      • Influenza A virus
      • Orthomyxoviridae
      • Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human
      • Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human
      • Paramyxoviridae Infections
      • Pathology
      • Picornaviridae
      • Respiratory Tract Infections
      • Rhinovirus
      • Viruses

      References

      This article includes 11 references
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      Citations

      This article has been cited 11 times.
      1. Sreenivasan CC, Sheng Z, Wang D, Li F. Host Range, Biology, and Species Specificity of Seven-Segmented Influenza Viruses-A Comparative Review on Influenza C and D. Pathogens 2021 Dec 5;10(12).
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      2. Sreenivasan CC, Thomas M, Kaushik RS, Wang D, Li F. Influenza A in Bovine Species: A Narrative Literature Review. Viruses 2019 Jun 17;11(6).
        doi: 10.3390/v11060561pubmed: 31213032google scholar: lookup
      3. Rossi TM, Moore A, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Equine Rhinitis A Virus Infection at a Standardbred Training Facility: Incidence, Clinical Signs, and Risk Factors for Clinical Disease. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:71.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00071pubmed: 30918893google scholar: lookup
      4. Nedland H, Wollman J, Sreenivasan C, Quast M, Singrey A, Fawcett L, Christopher-Hennings J, Nelson E, Kaushik RS, Wang D, Li F. Serological evidence for the co-circulation of two lineages of influenza D viruses in equine populations of the Midwest United States. Zoonoses Public Health 2018 Feb;65(1):e148-e154.
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      5. Thibault PA, Watkinson RE, Moreira-Soto A, Drexler JF, Lee B. Zoonotic Potential of Emerging Paramyxoviruses: Knowns and Unknowns. Adv Virus Res 2017;98:1-55.
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      7. Rouse BT, Ditchfield WJ. The response of ponies to Myxovirus influenzae A-equi 2. I. Serum and nasal antibody titres following exposure. Can J Comp Med 1970 Jan;34(1):1-5.
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        pubmed: 4196340
      9. Sherman J, Thorsen J, Barnum DA, Mitchell WR, Ingram DG. Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario standardbred racetracks. J Clin Microbiol 1977 Mar;5(3):285-9.
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      10. Koutsakos M, Parry RH, Wille M. Mounting Evidence for an Expanded Host Range of Influenza B Viruses. Viruses 2025 Nov 21;17(12).
        doi: 10.3390/v17121528pubmed: 41472198google scholar: lookup
      11. Lee HS, Noh JY, Cheong HJ. Influenza C virus in humans and animals. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2025 Jul;14(3):203-209.
        doi: 10.7774/cevr.2025.14.e32pubmed: 40741060google scholar: lookup
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