Original scientific paper

Control of equine arteritis virus (EAV) on stud farm.

Peter Hostnik ; Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sara Mankoč ; Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ivan Toplak ; Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Igor Klobučar ; Clinics for Reproduction and Horses, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tadej Malovrh ; Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jože Grom ; Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

An epidemiology of infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV) on one stud farm with approximately 350 horses in the period from 1995 to 2008 was studied. Infection was detected by virological methods, using a virus neutralisation test (VNT) for EAV antibody detection in serum samples, and virus isolation and RT-PCR test for virus detection in semen. No clinical picture of the disease was observed. The highest seroprevalence (nearly 100%) was among stallions and old mares, while seroprevalence among young fi llies, before mating, was lower than 9%. A high incidence for seroconversion was detected among fi llies after mating. Virus was detected by RT-PCR and by a virus isolation test in the semen of 40.7% of 76 seropositive stallions. The 8 stallions, which were shedding EAV, were infected within the period of the first three years after birth, but the other 12 seropositive stallions, which were negative for EAV in semen samples, became firstly seropositive 5 years after birth. In this study we confirmed that the major transmission of EAV on the stud farm occurred from shedding stallions to fillies during the mating time, but an important role of virus transmission to other horses is also played by contact between different groups of animals. Virus positive stallions were castrated and a new breeding unit for young foals was established. EAV negative foals were vaccinated and were bred outside the farm up to 3 years of age.

Keywords

equine arteritis virus; transmission; diagnosis; horse; eradication

Hrčak ID:

67324

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/67324

Publication date:

26.4.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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