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Sales Consignment and Nasal Shedding of Equine Herpesvirus‐1 ( EHV ‐1) and 4 ( EHV ‐4) in Young Thoroughbred Horses in S outh A frica
Author(s) -
Badenhorst M.,
Page P.C.,
Ganswindt A.,
Guthrie A.J.,
Schulman M.L.
Publication year - 2014
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.12323_27
Subject(s) - horse , viral shedding , nasal discharge , veterinary medicine , population , biosecurity , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , virology , environmental health , biology , surgery , virus , pathology , paleontology , electrical engineering , engineering
Reasons for performing study Commingling of horses from various populations, together with stress associated with transport and confinement at a sales complex, may predispose horses to EHV ‐1 and ‐4 shedding and transmission. Current information on the prevalence and associated risk factors of EHV ‐1 and ‐4 in S outh A frica is limited. Relevant research could enhance scientific‐based risk management strategies for horses attending sales events. Objectives Detect nasal shedding of EHV ‐1 and ‐4 at a sales event. Identify the temporal pattern of viral shedding. Investigate the association between clinical signs and EHV ‐1 and ‐4 shedding. Identify risk factors for EHV ‐1 and ‐4 shedding and transmission. Study design Prospective cohort study. Methods Data was collected over a 9 day period during A ugust 2013 at the National Two Year Old Sales in G ermiston, S outh A frica. The study population included 90 Thoroughbreds (51 colts, 39 fillies) in their second year of life that originated from 8 studs situated in 3 provinces. Nasal swabs were collected from each horse on arrival and on departure from the event. During their stay horses were monitored twice daily for pyrexia and once daily for nasal discharge. Nasal swabs were collected daily from any horse with nasal discharge and/or pyrexia. Nasal swabs were submitted for q PCR to detect EHV ‐1 and ‐4. Results N o EHV ‐1 shedding was detected; however, 14.4% of the population shed EHV ‐4. A biphasic shedding pattern with peaks one day post arrival and on the first day of auction was observed. Pyrexia, with or without nasal discharge, was observed prior to first shedding in 61.5% of EHV ‐4‐positive horses. Province, associated longer travel duration and smaller resident horse populations on farms of origin were associated with increased risk of EHV ‐4 shedding. Conclusions Young Thoroughbreds consigned to a S outh A frican sale shed EHV ‐4. Pyrexia proved useful to identify impending EHV ‐4 shedding. Ethical animal research: The study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee ( AEC ) of the University of P retoria (Study V 040‐13). Informed, written consent for participation was obtained from the owners of each of the studs included in the study. Sources of funding: Funding for this study was provided by Racing S outh A frica and the Departments of Companion Animal Clinical Studies and Production Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of P retoria. Competing interests: None.