Pathogens (Jun 2023)

Prevalence of Latent Equid Herpesvirus Type 1 in Submandibular Lymph Nodes of Horses in Virginia

  • Nadia Saklou,
  • Scott Pleasant,
  • Kevin Lahmers,
  • Rebecca Funk

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12060813
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 6
p. 813

Abstract

Read online

Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) typically causes mild respiratory disease, but it can also cause late-term abortion, neonatal foal death and neurologic disease. Once a horse is infected, the virus concentrates to local lymphoid tissue, where it becomes latent. The virus can be reactivated during times of stress, which can lead to the initiation of devastating outbreaks. Understanding the carriage rate of latent EHV-1 in different geographic regions is essential for managing the disease. The objective of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of latent EHV-1 and compare the frequency of each variant in the submandibular lymph nodes of horses in Virginia. Sixty-three submandibular lymph nodes were collected post-partem from horses submitted to regional labs for necropsy, and qPCR was performed. All samples were negative for the gB gene of EHV-1. The results demonstrated a low apparent prevalence of latent EHV-1 DNA in submandibular lymph nodes in this population of horses in Virginia. Despite this, the mainstay for outbreak prevention and mitigation continues to focus on minimizing risks and using appropriate and diligent biosecurity.

Keywords