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

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 ob...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary record 2003-10, Vol.153 (14), p.417-423
Main Authors: Studdert, M.J, Hartley, C.A, Dynon, K, Sandy, J.R, Slocombe, R.R, Charles, J.A, Milne, M.E, Clarke, A.F, El-Hage, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion, Veterinary - epidemiology
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Antibodies, Viral - analysis
Antibodies, Viral - blood
antibody detection
Ataxia - etiology
Ataxia - veterinary
Disease Outbreaks - veterinary
encephalitis
Encephalomyelitis - complications
Encephalomyelitis - epidemiology
Encephalomyelitis - veterinary
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay - veterinary
Equid herpesvirus 1
Female
fetus
foals
Herpesviridae Infections - complications
Herpesviridae Infections - epidemiology
Herpesviridae Infections - veterinary
Herpesvirus 1, Equid - genetics
Herpesvirus 1, Equid - immunology
Herpesvirus 1, Equid - isolation & purification
Horse Diseases - blood
Horse Diseases - epidemiology
Horse Diseases - virology
Horses
Immunohistochemistry - veterinary
lactation
Male
mares
parturition
polymerase chain reaction
Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - veterinary
Victoria - epidemiology
viruses
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0042-4900
2042-7670
DOI:10.1136/vr.153.14.417