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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
Author(s) -
Studdert M. J.,
Hartley C. A.,
Dy K.,
Sandy J. R.,
Slocombe R. R,
Charles J. A.,
Milne M. E.,
Clarke A. F.,
ElHage C.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.153.14.417
Subject(s) - foal , outbreak , equine herpesvirus 1 , serology , virology , medicine , antibody , horse , virus , fetus , biology , immunology , pregnancy , herpesviridae , viral disease , paleontology , genetics
Five of 10 pregnant, lactating mares, each with a foal at foot, developed neurological disease. Three of them became recumbent, developed complications and were euthanased; of the two that survived, one aborted an equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1)‐positive fetus 68 days after the first signs were observed in the index case and the other gave birth to a healthy foal on day 283 but remained ataxic and incontinent. The diagnosis of EHV‐1 myeloencephalitis was supported by postmortem findings, PCR identification of the virus and by serological tests with an EHV‐1 ‐specific ELISA. At the time of the index case, the 10 foals all had a heavy mucopurulent nasal discharge, and PCR and the ELISA were used to detect and monitor EHV‐1 infection in them. The status of EHV‐1 infection in the five in‐contact mares was similarly monitored. Sera from three of the affected mares, taken seven days after the index case were negative or had borderline EHv‐1 ‐specific antibody titres. In later serum samples there was an increase in the titres of EHv‐1 ‐specific antibody in two of the affected mares. In contrast, sera from the five unaffected in‐contact mares were all EHv‐1 ‐antibody positive when they were first tested seven or 13 days after the index case.