Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Equine herpesvirus infections in yearlings in South-East Queensland

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Archives of Virology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Twelve nasal swabs were collected from yearling horses with respiratory distress and tested for equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) by real-time PCR targeting the glycoprotein B gene. All samples were negative for EHV-1; however, 3 were positive for EHV-4. When these samples were tested for EHV-2 and EHV-5 by PCR, all samples were negative for EHV-2 and 11 were positive for EHV-5. All three samples that were positive for EHV-4 were also positive for EHV-5. These three samples gave a limited CPE in ED cells reminiscent of EHV-4 CPE. EHV-4 CPE was obvious after 3 days and was characterised by syncytia. None of the samples produced cytopathic effect (CPE) on African green monkey kidney (Vero) cells or hamster kidney (BSR) cells. Four of the samples, which were positive in the EHV-5 PCR, produced CPE on rabbit kidney (RK13) cells and equine dermis (ED) cells. EHV-5 CPE on both cell lines was slow and was apparent after four 7-day passages. On RK13 cells, the CPE was characteristic of equid herpesvirus, with the formation of syncytia. However, in ED cells, the CPE was characterised by ring-shaped syncytia. For the first time, a case of equine respiratory disease involving dual infection with EHV-4 and EHV-5 has been reported in Queensland (Australia). This was shown by simultaneously isolating EHV-4 and EHV-5 from clinical samples. EHV5 was recovered from all samples except one, suggesting that EHV5 was more prevalent in young horses than EHV2.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Agius CT, Nagesha HS, Studdert MJ (1992) Equine herpesvirus 5: comparisons with EHV-2 (equine cytomegalovirus), cloning, and mapping of a new equine herpesvirus with a novel genome structure. Virology 191:176–186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Allen GP, Bryans JT (1986) Molecular epizootiology, pathogenesis and prophylaxis of equine herpesvirus 1 infections. Progr Vet Microbiol Immunol 2:78–144

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bagust TJ (1971) The equine herpesviruses. Vet Bull 41:79–82

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bagust TJ (1972) A review of viral infections in horses. Aust Vet J 48:520–523

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bagust TJ, Pascoe RR (1972) Studies on equine herpesviruses 3. The incidence in Queensland of three different equine herpesvirus infections. Aust Vet J 48:47–53

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Banbura MW, Chmielewska A, Tucholska A, Sendecka H, Rzewuska M, Dzieciatkowski T (2004) Outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV–2) infections in relation to respiratory or neurological symptoms. Med Weter 60:496–499

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bell SA, Balasuriya UBR, Gardner IA, Barry PA, Wilson WD, Ferraro GL, MacLachlan NJ (2006) Temporal detection of equine herpesvirus infections of a cohort of mares and their foals. Vet Microbiol 116:249–257

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Borchers K, Wolfinger U, Goltz M, Broll H, Ludwig H (1997) Distribution and relevance of equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) infections. Arch Virol 142:917–928

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Borchers K, Frölich K, Ludwig H (1999) Detection of equine herpesvirus types 2 and 5 (EHV-2 and EHV-5) in Przewalski’s wild horses. Arch Virol 144:771–780

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cai W, Gu B, Person S (1988) Role of glycoprotein B of herpes simplex virus type 1 in viral entry and cell fusion. J Virol 62:2596–2604

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Campbell TM, Studdert MJ (1983) Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). Vet Bull 53:135–146

    Google Scholar 

  12. Collinson PN (1994) Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 2 (equine gamma herpesvirus 2) from foals with keratoconjonctivitis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 205:329–331

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Diallo IS, Hewitson G, Wright L, Rodwell BJ, Corney BG (2006) Detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. J Virol Methods 131:92–98

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Diallo IS, Hewitson G, Wright L, Rodwell BJ, Corney BG (2007) Multiplex real-time PCR for differentiation of Equid Herpesvirus type 1 and Equid Herpesvirus type 4. Vet Microbiol 123:93–103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Dunowska M, Meers J, Wilks CR (1999) Isolation of equine herpesvirus type 5 in New Zealand. NZ Vet J 47:44–46

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Dunowska M, Wilks CR, Studdert MJ, Meers J (2002) Equine respiratory viruses in foals in New Zealand. N Z Vet J 50:140–147

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Dutta SK, Myrup AC, Thaker SR (1986) In vitro interference between equine herpesvirus types 1 and 2. Am J Vet Res 47:747–750

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Duxbury AE, Oxer DT (1968) Isolation of equine rhinopneumonitis from an epidemic of acute respiratory disease in horses. Aust Vet J 44:58–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Dynon K, Black WD, Ficorelli N, Hartley CA, Studdert MJ (2007) Detection of viruses in nasal swabs samples from horses with acute, febrile, respiratory disease using virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction and serology. Aust Vet J 85:46–50

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Fong CKY, Hsiung GD (1972) Development of an equine herpesvirus in two cell culture systems: light and electron microscopy. Infect Immun 6:865–876

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Fortier G, Pitel PH, Maillard K, Pronost S (2003) Herpes virus en pathologie equine: connaissances actuelles et perspectives. Bull Acad Vet France 156:13–24

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fu ZF, Robinson AJ, Horner GW et al (1986) Respiratory disease in foals and epizootiology of equine herpesvirus type 2 infection. N Z Vet J 34:152–155

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Harden TJ, Bagust TJ, Pascoe RR, Spradbrow PB. Studies on equine herpesviruses 5: (1974) Isolation and characterisation of slowly cytopathic equine herpesviruses in Queensland. Aust Vet J 50: 483–488

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hartley WJ, Dixon RJ (1979) An outbreak of foal perinatal mortality due to equine herpesvirus type1: pathological observations. Equine Vet J 11:215–218

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Holloway SA, Lindquester GJ, Studdert MJ, Drummer HE (1999) Identification and characterisation of equine herpesvirus 5 glycoprotein B. Arch Virol 144:287–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hsiung GD, Fischman FR, Fong CKY, Green RH (1969) Characterisation of a cytomegalovirus-like virus isolated from spontaneously degenerated equine kidney culture. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 130:80–84

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Johnston KG, Hutchins DR (1967) Suspected adenovirus bronchitis in Arab foals. Aust Vet J 43:600

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Jolly PD, Fu ZF, Robinson AJ (1986) Viruses associated with respiratory disease of horses in New Zealand. N Z Vet J 34:46–50

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kershaw O, von Oppen T, Glitz F, Deegen E, Ludwig H, Borchers K (2001) Detection of equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV–2) in horses with keratoconjonctivitis. Virus Res 80:93–99

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Murray MJ, Eichorn ES, Dubovi EJ, Ley WB, Cavey DM (1996) Equine herpesvirus type 2: prevalence and seroepidemiology in foals. Equine Vet J 28:432–436

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Nordengrahn A, Rusvai M, Merza M, Ekstrom J, Morein B, Belák S (1996) Equine herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) as a predisposing factor for Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals: prevention of the bifactorial disease with EHV2 immunostimulating complexes. Vet Microbiol 51:55–68

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Nordengrahn A, Merza M, Ros C, Lindholm A, Pálfi V, Hannant D, Belák S (2002) Prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 2 and 5 in horse populations by using type-specific PCR assays. Vet Res 33:251–259

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. O’Callaghan DJ, Gentry GA, Randall CC (1983) The equine herpesviruses. In: Roizman B (ed) The herpesviruses. Plenum Press, New York, pp 215–318

    Google Scholar 

  34. Purewal AS, Smallwood AV, Kaushal A, Adegboye D, Edington N (1992) Identification and control of the cis-acting elements of the immediate early gene of equid herpesvirus type 1. J Gen Virol 73:513–519

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Reubel GH, Crabb BS, Studdert MJ (1995) Diagnosis of equine gammaherpesvirus 2 and 5 infections by polymerase chain reaction. Arch Virol 140:1049–1060

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Sabine M, Feilen C, Herbert L, Jones RF, Lomas SW, Love DN, Wild J (1983) Equine herpesvirus abortion in Australia 1977 to 1982. Equine Vet J 15:366–370

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Schlocker N, Gerber-Bretscher R, Fellenberg R (1995) Equine herpesvirus 2 in pulmonary macrophages of horses. Am J Vet Res 56:749–754

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Studdert MJ, Turner AJ, Peterson JE (1970) Isolation and characterisation of equine rhinopneumonitis virus and other equine herpesviruses from horses. Aust Vet J 46:83–89

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Studdert MJ (1974) Comparative aspects of equine herpesviruses. Cornell Vet 64:94–122

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Studdert MJ (1996) Virus infections of equines. In: Studdert MJ (ed) Virus infections of vertebrates, 6th edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 47–60

    Google Scholar 

  41. Studdert MJ, Hartley CA, Dynon K, Sandy JR, Slocombe RF, Charles JA, Milne ME, Clarke AF, El-Hage C (2003) Outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 myeloencephalitis: new insights from virus identification by PCR and the application of an EHV-1-specific antibody detection ELISA. Vet Record 153:417–423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Szilagyi JF, Cunnigham C (1991) Identification and characterisation of a novel non-infectious herpes simplex virus-related particle. J Gen Virol 72:661–668

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Telford EA, Studdert MJ, Agius CT, Watson MS, Aird HC, Davison AJ (1993) Equine herpesviruses 2 and 5 are gamma-herpesviruses. Virology 195: 492–499

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wang L, Raidal SL, Pizzirani A, Wilcox GE (2007) Detection of respiratory herpesvirus in foals and adult horses determined by nested multiplex PCR. Vet Microbiol 121:18–28

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Welch HM, Bridges CG, Lyon AM, Griffiths L, Edington N (1992) Latent equid herpesvirus 1 and 4: detection and distinction using the polymerase chain reaction and co-cultivation from lymphoid tissues. J Gen Virol 73:261–268

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Wilcox GE, Raidal S (2000) Role of viruses in respiratory disease. A Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation report

  47. Wilks CR, Studdert MJ (1974) Equine herpesviruses. 5. Epizootiology of slowly cytopathic viruses in foals. Aust Vet J 50:438–442

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. C. Hartley (Centre for Equine Virology) for providing them with EHV-2, EHV-4 and EHV-5 reference strains. The authors would also like to thank Dr. T. Mahony, J. Taylor and N. Moody (DPI&F) for their critical comments on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Animal Research Institute, Locked Bag 4, Moorooka, QLD, 4105, Australia

    Ibrahim S. Diallo, Glen R. Hewitson, Amanda de Jong, Mark A. Kelly, Bruce G. Corney & Barry J. Rodwell

  2. Veterinary Consultancy P/L, P.O. Box 1359, Oxenford, QLD, 4210, Australia

    Dick J. Wright

Authors
  1. Ibrahim S. Diallo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Glen R. Hewitson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amanda de Jong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark A. Kelly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dick J. Wright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Bruce G. Corney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Barry J. Rodwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ibrahim S. Diallo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Diallo, I.S., Hewitson, G.R., de Jong, A. et al. Equine herpesvirus infections in yearlings in South-East Queensland. Arch Virol 153, 1643–1649 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-008-0158-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-008-0158-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation