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Olguin-Perglione C, Politzki R, Alvarez I, Ruiz V. First report of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) in Argentina. Vet J 2024; 306:106204. [PMID: 39047972 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The novel Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) was first identified in the serum and liver of a horse that died of equine serum hepatitis, also known as Theiler's disease. Several reports in recent years strongly suggest that EqPV-H is the etiologic agent of Theiler's disease. Brazil is the only South American country where infection with this virus has been reported. This study investigated the presence of EqPV-H DNA in horse serum pools (n=51), commercial horse serum batches (n=5) and individual serum samples from donor horses (n=175) from Argentina. All serum samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and samples with positive or indeterminate results were further analyzed by NS1 nested-PCR for phylogenetic studies. None of the serum pools was positive by qPCR but 9/51 pools were indeterminate (one or both test sample's Ct values were higher than the limit of detection). The NS1 nested-PCR detected the EqPV-H DNA in 8 of these indeterminate samples (15.7 % of serum pools). Three of the commercial horse serum batches (60 %) contained EqPV-H DNA, detected either by qPCR and/or nested-PCR. From the 175 individual horse serum samples, three (1.71 %) were positive for EqPV-H by both techniques. The genetic analysis of the 12 partial NS1 sequences obtained showed that the local isolates were similar to EqPV-H sequences from Germany and China. This study provides the first evidence of the presence of EqPV-H in horses and in horse sera commercially available in Argentina and emphasizes the importance of controlling the biosecurity of commercial equine sera as well as any other blood-derived biological products of equine origin. DATA AVAILABILITY: Viral sequences generated in this study were uploaded to the NCBI nucleotide database and are available with the accession numbers PP408676-PP408687.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Olguin-Perglione
- Laboratorio de Virus Adventicios, Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y De los Reseros (s/n), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires CP1686, Argentina
| | - R Politzki
- Laboratorio de Virus Adventicios, Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y De los Reseros (s/n), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires CP1686, Argentina
| | - I Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Virus Adventicios, Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y De los Reseros (s/n), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires CP1686, Argentina
| | - V Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Virus Adventicios, Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas (IVIT), INTA-CONICET, Nicolás Repetto y De los Reseros (s/n), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires CP1686, Argentina.
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Lale D, Dirks EE, Preining I, Lyrakis M, Gömer A, Steinmann E, Cavalleri JV, Ramsauer AS. Subclinical infection and potential shedding routes of equine parvovirus-hepatitis among hospitalized horses in Austria. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:2373-2379. [PMID: 38899610 PMCID: PMC11256187 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) can cause Theiler's disease and subclinical hepatitis in horses. OBJECTIVES Assess the frequency of subclinical EqPV-H infection in hospitalized horses and to study viral transmission by investigating potential shedding routes. ANIMALS One hundred sixteen equids, that presented to the University Equine Hospital of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna between February 2021 and March 2022, for causes other than hepatopathy. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, samples (serum, feces, nasal, and buccal swabs) of hospitalized horses were collected. Sera were screened for the presence of anti-EqPV-H antibodies by a luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay. Quantitative PCR was used for the detection of EqPV-H DNA in the samples and a nested PCR was used for further validation. RESULTS Seroprevalence was 10.3% (12/116) and viremia occurred in 12.9% (15/116) of the serologically positive horses. The detected viral load in serum varied from non-quantifiable amount to 1.3 × 106 genome equivalents per milliliter of serum. A low viral load of EqPV-H DNA was detected in 2 nasal swabs and 1 fecal sample. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE EqPV-H DNA was detected in nasal secretions and feces of viremic horses, which could pose a risk to naive hospitalized horses. It is advisable to screen hospitalized horses that are potential donors of blood or plasma to reduce the risk of iatrogenic EqPV-H transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Lale
- University Equine Hospital, Clinical Unit of Equine Internal MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Esther E. Dirks
- University Equine Hospital, Clinical Unit of Equine Internal MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
- Unit for Hospital Hygiene, Infection Prevention and Control, Department of Infectious DiseasesRobert Koch InstituteBerlinGermany
| | - Irina Preining
- University Equine Hospital, Clinical Unit of Equine Internal MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Manolis Lyrakis
- Platform for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Andre Gömer
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of MedicineRuhr‐University BochumBochumGermany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of MedicineRuhr‐University BochumBochumGermany
| | - Jessika‐M. V. Cavalleri
- University Equine Hospital, Clinical Unit of Equine Internal MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Anna Sophie Ramsauer
- University Equine Hospital, Clinical Unit of Equine Internal MedicineUniversity of Veterinary Medicine ViennaViennaAustria
- Institute of Virology, Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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Fortier C, El-Hage C, Normand C, Hue ES, Sutton G, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Jeffers K, Bamford N, Oden E, Paillot R, Hartley C, Gilkerson J, Pronost S. Detection of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Virus and Equine Hepacivirus in Archived Sera from Horses in France and Australia. Viruses 2024; 16:862. [PMID: 38932156 PMCID: PMC11209535 DOI: 10.3390/v16060862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Reports of newly discovered equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses have emerged throughout the last decade in many countries, the discovery of which has stimulated a great deal of interest and clinical research. Although commonly detected in horses without signs of disease, equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV) have been associated with liver disease, including following the administration of contaminated anti-toxin. Our aim was to determine whether EqPV-H and EqHV are present in Australian horses and whether EqPV-H was present in French horses and to examine sequence diversity between strains of both viruses amongst infected horses on either side of the globe. Sera from 188 Australian horses and 256 French horses from horses with and without clinical signs of disease were collected. Twelve out of 256 (4.7%) and 6 out of 188 (3.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqPV-H. Five out of 256 (1.9%) and 21 out of 188 (11.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqHV. Australian strains for both viruses were genomically clustered, in contrast to strains from French horses, which were more broadly distributed. The findings of this preliminary survey, with the molecular detection of EqHV and EqPV-H in Australia and the latter in France, adds to the growing body of awareness regarding these recently discovered hepatotropic viruses. It has provided valuable information not just in terms of geographic endemicity but will guide equine clinicians, carers, and authorities regarding infectious agents and potential impacts of allogenic tissue contamination. Although we have filled many gaps in the world map regarding equine hepatotropic viruses, further prospective studies in this emerging field may be useful in terms of elucidating risk factors and pathogenesis of these pathogens and management of cases in terms of prevention and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Fortier
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Charles El-Hage
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Camille Normand
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Erika S. Hue
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Gabrielle Sutton
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Cytokines and Adaptive Immunity Lab, Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | | | - Kim Jeffers
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas Bamford
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Elise Oden
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
| | - Romain Paillot
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, School of Agriculture, Animal & Environmental Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU Writtle), Lordship Road, Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UK
| | - Carol Hartley
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - James Gilkerson
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Stéphane Pronost
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
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Pusterla N, Dorman DC, Burgess BA, Goehring L, Gross M, Osterrieder K, Soboll Hussey G, Lunn DP. Viremia and nasal shedding for the diagnosis of equine herpesvirus-1 infection in domesticated horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:1765-1791. [PMID: 38069548 PMCID: PMC11099742 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is associated with upper respiratory disease, EHM, abortions, and neonatal death. RESEARCH QUESTIONS Are nasal secretions a more sensitive biological sample compared to blood for the detection of EHV-1 infection? How long is EHV-1 detectable after primary infection by PCR? METHODS MedLine and Web of Science searches identified original peer-reviewed reports evaluating nasal shedding and viremia using virus isolation methods or PCR published in English before October 9, 2023. RESULTS Sixty experimental and 20 observational studies met inclusion criteria. EHV-1 detection frequency by qPCR in nasal secretions and blood from naturally-infected horses with fever and respiratory signs were 15% and 9%, respectively; qPCR detection rates in nasal secretions and blood from horses with suspected EHM were 94% and 70%, respectively. In experimental studies the sensitivity of qPCR matched or exceeded that seen for virus isolation from either nasal secretions or blood. Detection of nasal shedding typically occurred within 2 days after EHV-1 inoculation with a detection period of 3 to 7 days. Viremia lasted 2 to 7 days and was usually detected ≥1 days after positive identification of EHV-1 in nasal secretions. Nasal shedding and viremia decreased over time and remained detectable in some horses for several weeks after inoculation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Under experimental conditions, blood and nasal secretions have similar sensitivity for the detection of EHV-1 when horses are sampled on multiple consecutive days. In contrast, in observational studies detection of EHV-1 in nasal secretions was consistently more successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - David C. Dorman
- College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Lutz Goehring
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research CenterUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Margaret Gross
- College of Veterinary MedicineNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Gisela Soboll Hussey
- College of Veterinary MedicineMichigan State University, Veterinary Medical CenterEast LansingMichiganUSA
| | - David P. Lunn
- School of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of Liverpool, Leahurst CampusNestonUK
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Papapetrou MA, Arroyo LG, Meister TL, Baird JD, Steinmann E, Lillie BN. Prevalence of equine parvovirus-hepatitis in healthy broodmares in Ontario, Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 2023; 87:169-175. [PMID: 37397641 PMCID: PMC10291705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) was first reported from the serum and liver tissue of a horse diagnosed with Theiler's disease in the United States in 2018. Theiler's disease, also known as equine serum hepatitis, is a severe hepatitis with fulminant hepatic necrosis. The disease has most frequently been reported following the administration of equine-origin biological products; however, it has also been reported in in-contact horses with no prior biologic administration. EqPV-H has been detected in clinically healthy horses in North America (USA, Canada), Europe (Germany, Austria, Slovenia), Asia (China, South Korea), and South America (Brazil). Previous prevalence studies conducted worldwide have shown the presence of EqPV-H DNA in serum or plasma ranging from 3.2 to 19.8%. This study investigated the prevalence of EqPV-H DNA in 170 healthy broodmares of various breeds located on 37 farms in southern Ontario, Canada. The occurrence of EqPV-H infection was determined by quantitative PCR for EqPV-H DNA in serum samples. The effects of age, breed, season, pregnancy status, and equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) vaccination history on EqPV-H status were also investigated. There was a prevalence of 15.9% (27/170) with viral loads of EqPV-H ranging from detectable to 2900 copies/mL. Statistical analysis showed that increasing age was a significant factor in the detection of EqPV-H DNA. Neither breed, season, pregnancy status, nor EHV-1 vaccination history was significant in predicting EqPV-H infection status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Papapetrou
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
| | - Luis G Arroyo
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
| | - Toni L Meister
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
| | - John D Baird
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
| | - Brandon N Lillie
- Department of Pathobiology (Papapetrou, Lillie) and Department of Clinical Studies (Arroyo, Baird) Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany (Meister, Steinmann)
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Yoon J, Park T, Kim A, Park J, Park BJ, Ahn HS, Go HJ, Kim DH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi IS. Molecular surveillance of equine parvovirus-hepatitis from oral, nasal, vaginal, and semen specimens collected from horses living in Korea. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3455-e3461. [PMID: 36271506 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) is one of the etiological agents of Theiler's disease, causing fulminant hepatitis; however, its transmission route and pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to determine EqPV-H shedding in oral/nasal/vaginal swabs or semen samples from horses living in Korea using nested polymerase chain reaction. We then used the data obtained to investigate various risk factors associated with EqPV-H including viral shedding, hepatopathological changes, and genetic diversity. Our data revealed occurrence of EqPV-H shedding in these animals (oral: 3/102 [2.9%]; nasal: 3/102 [2.9%]; semen: 1/9 [11.1%]) and identified that both age and country of foaling were significantly associated with EqPV-H shedding (p < .05). In addition, we noted that one of the newly isolated strains clustered separately from the other strains in the phylogenetic tree, revealing unique nucleotide and amino acid substitutions. This is a field surveillance study providing evidence of natural and venereal shedding of EqPV-H and describing its presence in both oral/nasal fluids and semen. This epidemiological and clinical analysis may help specify the clinicopathological features of EqPV-H and facilitate the development of novel disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungho Yoon
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Korea.,Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taemook Park
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Korea
| | - Ahram Kim
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Korea
| | - Jongyoung Park
- Equine Clinic, Jeju Stud Farm, Korea Racing Authority, Jeju-si, Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.,KU Center for Animal Blood Medical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
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First detection and genomic characterization of a new parvovirus in equines in China. Arch Virol 2022; 167:1607-1609. [PMID: 35578040 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Equine copivirus (EqCoPV) is a newly discovered parvovirus that infects equines. Currently, it is unclear whether this virus is prevalent in China. In the present study, serum samples were collected from equines in China and were processed for EqCoPV DNA detection by PCR. The results demonstrated that EqCoPV was circulating among the sampled equines, with a low detection rate of 0.94%. The genome sequence of one Chinese EqCoPV strain, UH26, was determined and used for genetic and phylogenetic analysis. The results demonstrated that UH26 has a close genetic relationship to EqCoPV strains from the USA and South Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of EqCoPV in China.
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Virus Infection in Equine. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080957. [PMID: 35454204 PMCID: PMC9030645 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
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9
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Lawton KOY, Arthur RM, Moeller BC, Barnum S, Pusterla N. Investigation of the Role of Healthy and Sick Equids in the COVID-19 Pandemic through Serological and Molecular Testing. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12050614. [PMID: 35268183 PMCID: PMC8909032 DOI: 10.3390/ani12050614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The objective of the present study was to determine if horses are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Nasal swabs from 667 equids with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs were tested by qPCR for SARS-CoV-2. Further, 633 serum samples collected from a cohort of 587 healthy racing Thoroughbreds with possible exposure to humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection were tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using an ELISA targeting the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. All 667 horses with fever and respiratory signs tested qPCR-negative for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 35/587 (5.9%) Thoroughbred racing horses had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. While horses appear to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 when in close contact with humans with SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical disease was not observed in the study horses. Experimental challenge studies using pure inocula are needed in order to study the clinical, hematological, molecular, and serological features of adult horses infected with SARS-CoV-2. Abstract More and more studies are reporting on the natural transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between humans with COVID-19 and their companion animals (dogs and cats). While horses are apparently susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the homology between the human and the equine ACE-2 receptor, no clinical or subclinical infection has yet been reported in the equine species. To investigate the possible clinical role of SARS-CoV-2 in equids, nasal secretions from 667 horses with acute onset of fever and respiratory signs were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by qPCR. The samples were collected from January to December of 2020 and submitted to a commercial molecular diagnostic laboratory for the detection of common respiratory pathogens (equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus-1/-4, equine rhinitis A and B virus, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi). An additional 633 serum samples were tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using an ELISA targeting the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. The serum samples were collected from a cohort of 587 healthy racing Thoroughbreds in California after track personnel tested qPCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. While 241/667 (36%) equids with fever and respiratory signs tested qPCR-positive for at least one of the common respiratory pathogens, not a single horse tested qPCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2. Amongst the racing Thoroughbreds, 35/587 (5.9%) horses had detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Similar to dogs and cats, horses do not seem to develop clinical SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, horses can act as incidental hosts and experience silent infection following spillover from humans with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2-infected humans should avoid close contact with equids during the time of their illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaila O. Y. Lawton
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
| | - Rick M. Arthur
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Benjamin C. Moeller
- KL Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Samantha Barnum
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (K.O.Y.L.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-530-752-1039
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