First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco
Zineb El Brini,
Ann Cullinane,
Marie Garvey,
Ouafaa Fassi Fihri,
Siham Fellahi,
Farid Amraoui,
Chafiqa Loutfi,
Ghizlane Sebbar,
Romain Paillot,
Mohammed Piro
Affiliations
Zineb El Brini
Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Ann Cullinane
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland
Marie Garvey
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland
Ouafaa Fassi Fihri
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Contagious Diseases, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Siham Fellahi
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Farid Amraoui
Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco
Chafiqa Loutfi
Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco
Ghizlane Sebbar
Society of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, Morocco
Romain Paillot
Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UK
Mohammed Piro
Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, Morocco
This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco. A total of 154 equids (114 horses, 9 donkeys, and 31 mules) were sampled, with nasal swabs and tissue samples subjected to multiplex real-time PCR for the detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4. Additionally, an isolate from the tissue of an aborted horse fetus was included in the analysis. A subset of EHV-positive samples underwent virus isolation followed by whole-genome sequencing. PCR assays revealed that 42 samples (27%) tested positive for EHV-4, while only 3 samples (1.94%) were positive for EHV-1. Attempts to isolate the virus from EHV-4-positive samples were unsuccessful. However, virus isolation was successful in an EHV-1-positive nasopharyngeal sample from a donkey. Phylogenetic and molecular characterization reclassified the EHV-1 isolated from the donkey as an EHV-8. Meanwhile, the EHV-1 isolated from the aborted fetal tissue was classified as a clade 1 EHV-1 virus. This study is the first to report the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco, providing valuable insights into the distribution and genetic diversity of these viruses in the region.
