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Active equine parvovirus‐hepatitis infection is most frequently detected in Austrian horses of advanced age
Author(s) -
Badenhorst Marcha,
Heus Phebe,
Auer Angelika,
Tegtmeyer Birthe,
Stang Alexander,
Dimmel Katharina,
Tichy Alexander,
Kubacki Jakub,
Bachofen Claudia,
Steinmann Eike,
Cavalleri Jessika M. V.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/evj.13444
Subject(s) - nested polymerase chain reaction , horse , biology , seroprevalence , phylogenetic tree , polymerase chain reaction , virology , hepatitis , medicine , antibody , immunology , serology , gene , genetics , paleontology
Background Equine parvovirus‐hepatitis (EqPV‐H) research is in its infancy. Information regarding prevalence, geographical distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis and risk factors enhances understanding of this potentially fatal infection. Objectives Determining the prevalence of EqPV‐H in Austrian equids. Investigating factors increasing probability of infection, liver‐associated biochemistry parameters, concurrent equine hepacivirus (EqHV) infection and phylogenetic analysis of Austrian EqPV‐H variants. Study design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Sera from 259 horses and 13 donkeys in Austria were analysed for anti‐EqPV‐H VP1‐specific antibodies by luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) and EqPV‐H DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between infection status, sex and age were described. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT), bile acids and albumin concentrations were compared between horses with active infection and PCR‐negative horses. PCR targeting partial EqPV‐H NS1 was performed and phylogenetic analysis of Austrian EqPV‐H variants was conducted. Complete coding sequences (CDS) of four Austrian variants were determined by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and compared with published sequences. Results Horses' EqPV‐H seroprevalence was 30.1% and DNA prevalence was 8.9%. One horse was co‐infected with EqHV. Significantly, higher probability of active EqPV‐H infection was identified in 16‐ to 31‐year‐old horses, compared with 1‐ to 8‐year‐old horses ( P = 0.002; OR = 8.19; 95% CI = 1.79 to 37.50) and 9‐ to 15‐year‐old horses ( P = 0.03; OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.08 to 8.17). Liver‐associated plasma parameters were not significantly different between horses with active infection and controls. Austrian EqPV‐H variants revealed high similarity to sequences worldwide. No evidence of EqPV‐H was detected in donkeys. Main limitations Equids’ inclusion depended upon owner consent. There was only one sampling point per animal and the sample of donkeys was small. Conclusions EqPV‐H antibodies and DNA are frequently detected in Austrian horses, without associated hepatitis in horses with active infection. The risk of active EqPV‐H infection increases with increasing age. Phylogenetic evidence supports close relation of EqPV‐H variants globally, including Austrian variants.