Equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy: a review of recent developments

Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), although a relatively uncommon manifestation of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection, can cause devastating losses on individual farms or boarding stables. Although outbreaks of EHM have been recognized for centuries in domestic horse populations, many aspects of this disease remained poorly characterized. In recent years, an improved understanding of EHM has emerged from experimental studies and from data collected during field outbreaks at riding schools, racetracks and veterinary hospitals throughout North America and Europe. These outbreaks have highlighted the contagious nature of EHV-1 and have prompted a re-evaluation of diagnostic procedures, treatment modalities, preventative measures and biosecurity protocols for the disease. This review concentrates on these and other selected, clinically relevant aspects of EHM.     

马疱疹病毒1型感染马疾病模型的建立及评价

试验旨在建立马疱疹病毒1型（Equine herpesvirus type1,EHV-1）人工发病模型,确定EHV-1感染马的半数感染量（ID₅₀）及感染发病的判定标准,为该病的预防与治疗药物的研发奠定基础。以新疆伊犁地区某发病马场流产胎儿中分离的EHV-1 XJ2015株为研究对象,设立4组不同病毒剂量感染组及对照组,经鼻内喷雾感染马,5 mL/匹,每天观察试验马的临床症状和发病情况,14 d后进行剖检,观察各组织脏器病理变化并应用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测鼻腔排毒及病毒分布情况。结果显示,EHV-1 XJ2015株感染马的ID₅₀为10^-6.67/5 mL,其病毒含量为10^4.33 TCID₅₀/mL。与对照组相比,1×10⁶和1×10⁵ TCID₅₀/mL感染组马临床评分显著升高,主要表现为体温升高（高达39.5 ℃,一般持续2~6 d）、食欲不振、流浆液性鼻液和下颌淋巴结肿大;且1×10⁶和1×10⁵ TCID₅₀/mL感染组试验马均表现出不同程度的排毒,肺脏及脑组织中可检测出大量病毒,与对照组相比极显著或显著升高（P<0.01;P<0.05）;病理学检查发现,患马脑组织出现非化脓性脑炎及神经元水肿,肺脏组织出现间质性肺炎、嗜中性粒细胞、炎性细胞浸润、出血和肺泡间隔增厚。以上结果表明,EHV-1 XJ2015株对马具有较强的致病性,患病马临床症状典型,病毒主要随鼻液排出,并富集在肺脏及脑组织,通过上述指标确定EHV-1感染马发病的判定标准,本试验成功建立EHV-1感染本体动物疾病模型。     

Report of the Second Havemeyer EHV‐1 Workshop,Steamboat Springs,Colorado, USA,September 2008

This report summarises the findings of the Second Havemeyer EHV‐1 Workshop, which was held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA in September 2008. A total of 38 delegates, consisting of veterinary clinicians and scientists from academia and industry participated in a series of sessions that focused on equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Each session consisted of a review, followed by short presentations on current research topics. The sessions included EHM epidemiology, in vivo and in vitro models for studying EHM, EHV‐1 virulence determinants, real‐time PCR diagnostics, antiviral medications and new vaccination technologies. The report summarises the key advances identified during and since the meeting. Citations are restricted to selected reviews and papers published since the workshop.     

Frequency of latent equine herpesvirus type-1 infection among a sample of horses in the central North Island of New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aim: To estimate the frequency of infection with equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) among horses from the central North Island of New Zealand, including the frequency of detection of the D₇₅₂ genotype.

Methods: Samples of retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLN) and submandibular lymph nodes (SLN) were dissected from the heads of 63 horses that were humanely killed for various unrelated reasons between March and November 2015. DNA extracted from these tissues was subjected to enrichment for EHV-1 sequences by hybridisation with biotin-labelled EHV-1 specific probe, followed by recovery of EHV-1 sequences on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. Enriched samples were tested for the presence of EHV-1 using nested quantitative real-time PCR. The EHV-1 amplicons were sequenced to determine the genotype of the virus.

Results: The median age of the horses was 6 (min 2, max 30) years, and 47/63 (75%) were Thoroughbreds. EHV-1 DNA was detected in RLN samples from 6/63 (10%) horses, and three of these horses were also positive for EHV-1 DNA in SLN. The remaining horses were negative for EHV-1 DNA in both RLN and SLN samples. The N₇₅₂ genotype was detected in all positive samples and the D₇₅₂ genotype was not detected in any of the samples.

Conclusions: EHV-1 continues to circulate among horses in New Zealand. The frequency of latent EHV-1 infection among sampled horses may have been underestimated due to the sensitivity limit of the assay or because of the limited anatomical sites sampled in the study. Lack of detection of the D₇₅₂ genotype suggests that infection with this genotype is not common in horses in New Zealand.

Clinical Relevance: If live animals are tested for EHV-1 using SLN biopsy it should be kept in mind that negative results do not rule out the presence of latent EHV-1 infection at other sites inaccessible for testing. The RLN appear to be the preferred sample for detection of EHV-1 DNA in horses following recent euthanasia.     

An Intensive Approach in the Treatment of Clinical Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious parasitic disease of horses producing neurologic clinical signs. Sarcocystis neurona is an incriminated pathogen. If approximately 50% of US horses are seropositive but only 0.5 to 1% become clinically affected, there is a suspected immunologic influence whether a horse is S. neurona-exposed or has clinical EPM syndrome. This report presents a treatment of 28 performance horses that were serum immunoblot positive for exposure to S. neurona. This patient population was in full athletic competition, travel, or training with associated stress. We attempted to (1) improve the immunologic status of the horse, (2) protect it against inflammatory reactions, and (3) provide medication to kill the protozoa. The cell-mediated immunity was stimulated by transfer factor in the feed for 37 days. The inflammatory reactions of treatment crises from antiprotozoal activity were prevented by MicroLactin (a neutrophil-activation inhibitor) in feed for 28 days concurrently. The antiprotozoal drug ponazuril was given concurrently for 28 days. Gait abnormalities, stumbling, and behavior change were the most frequent and combined clinical signs before treatment. There were 82% (23/28) treatable horses that were back at work, including five horses that were in physical rehabilitation under saddle. Five severely affected horses were not helped by therapy.     

Detection and Management of an Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection and Associated Neurological Disease in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Background: Because of the serious disease sequelae associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infections, awareness and control measures used to control outbreaks are important issues for all horse populations. Objectives: Describe the occurrence and management of an outbreak of EHV‐1 infection at a veterinary hospital. Animals: Horses hospitalized at a referral veterinary hospital. Methods: A horse with myeloencephalopathy associated with EHV‐1 infection (EHM) was admitted for diagnostic evaluation and treatment under strict infection control procedures. We describe the occurrence and management of a nosocomial outbreak of EHV‐1 infections associated with admission of this patient. Results: Despite institution of rigorous biosecurity precautions at the time of admission of the index case, EHV‐1 infections spread to 6 other horses that were hospitalized at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hopsital, including 2 that served as sources of infection for horses on their home premises after discharge. Infection with EHV‐1 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by seroconversion documented by glycoprotein G ELISA. A voluntary quarantine was imposed and admissions were restricted to prevent additional horses from being exposed. Quarantine duration was abbreviated by serial testing of all horses with PCR. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings illustrate the contagious disease risk that can accompany management of horses with EHM. Horses with active nasal EHV‐1 shedding should be isolated in an airspace that is separate from other horses by strictly enforced biosecurity and isolation procedures. Serial testing with PCR may be a useful adjunct to determine when the risk of transmission has been minimized.     

Detection of equine herpesvirus-1 in nasal swabs of horses by quantitative real-time PCR

Background: Early identification of inhalation-transmitted equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infections has been facilitated by the availability of a number of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) tests. A direct comparison between nasal swab qPCR and traditional virus isolation (VI) requires a method for normalizing the qPCR samples and controlling for PCR inhibitors present in some clinical samples.
Objectives: To quantify EHV-1 shedding in viral swabs using an internal control and to compare fast qPCR to VI for the detection of EHV-1 in nasal swabs from horses.
Animals: Fifteen horses experimentally infected with EHV-1.
Methods: Experimental study : Nasal swab samples were collected daily after experimental infection for up to 21 days. VI was performed by conventional methods. The DNA was prepared for qPCR with the addition of a known quantity DNA of Marek's disease virus as an internal control. qPCR was performed.
Results: The qPCR method detected virus up to day 21 after challenge, whereas VI detected virus only to day 5. The median Kaplan-Meier estimates for EHV-1 detection were 12 days for qPCR and 2 days for VI ( P < .0001). When compared with VI, the sensitivity and specificity of qPCR were 97 (95% CI: 86–100) and 27% (95% CI: 20–35).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: We conclude that fast qPCR of nasal swab samples should be chosen for diagnosis and monitoring of herpesvirus-induced disease in horses. Recommended reference ranges of C _T values are provided as well as justification of a minimum 10-day quarantine period.     

含EGFP基因的马疱疹病毒1型新疆株gE基因缺失株的构建

为筛选马鼻肺炎（equine rhinopneumonitis,ER）基因缺失减毒活疫苗的候选毒株,本研究参考GenBank中EHV-1（登录号：KF644579.1）目的基因序列设计同源臂引物,以本地区流行株XJ2015株DNA为模板PCR扩增gE基因同源臂gEH1、gEH1,以EGFP表达盒（CMV+EGFP+polyA）为标记基因,酶切后依次连接至载体pUC-19,成功构建重组质粒pUC-gEH1H2-EGFP。将XJ2015基因组与质粒pUC-gEH1H2-EGFP共转染至RK-13细胞进行同源重组,以EGFP为标记进行gE基因缺失毒株的筛选及纯化,并测定重组毒株效价。结果显示：经5轮荧光噬斑纯化、PCR及测序鉴定,成功获取一株携带EGFP基因的重组毒株XJ2015-△gE-EGFP,且重组毒株效价（10^7.1TCID₅₀/0.1 mL）较原毒株（10^8.8TCID₅₀/0.1 mL）下降约10^1.7TCID₅₀/0.1 mL。采用同源重组技术成功构建了1株马疱疹病毒1型流行株gE基因缺失突变株,为未来筛选马鼻肺炎基因缺失弱毒疫苗奠定了基础。     

Establishment of QuantStudioTM 3D Digital PCR Method for Detection of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1

The purpose of this study was to establish a highly sensitive 3D digital PCR (3D-dPCR) method for the detection of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1),which could accurately and quantitatively detect the samples with low EHV-1 content and realize the early diagnosis and prevention of equine rhinopneumonia.According to the conserved region of EHV-1 glycoprotein B gene,we designed specific primers and probes,optimized the concentration and annealing temperature of primers in the 3D-dPCR reaction system,analyzed the sensitivity,specificity and repeatability of this method,and established the 3D-dPCR method of EHV-1.In this study,the best concentration of primer and probe of 3D-dPCR was 0.4 and 0.4 μmol/L respectively,the best annealing temperature was 60 ℃,R² of the absolute quantitative curve of the method was 0.998,the linear relationship was good,the sensitivity was about 10 times higher than that of Real-time PCR,and the minimum detection limit was 5.83 copies/μL.There was no cross reaction with EHV-4,Theileria equi and the nucleic acid of equine arteritis.The results showed that the positive rate of 3D-dPCR was 66.7%,which was higher than that of Real-time PCR for EHV-1 in OIE (64.2%).The results of 3D-dPCR were consistent with those of Real-time PCR,and the sensitivity of 3D-dPCR to the samples with low virus content was higher,which could effectively detect suspicious samples.The results showed that the established 3D-dPCR method was more sensitive,specific and reproducible for the detection of clinical samples with low copy number,and could be used for the accurate and quantitative detection of EHV-1.     

马疱疹病毒1型主要毒力基因分析及TK基因缺失载体的构建

为了解新疆马疱疹病毒1型（EHV-1）主要毒力基因遗传进化情况并构建TK基因缺失株,本研究以EHV-1 XJ2015株DNA为模板,对其主要毒力基因TK、gI和gE全长进行克隆、测序及生物信息学分析,并扩增TK基因左右重组臂TKL和TKR,构建质粒pUC-TKLR,将扩增后的增强绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP,含有CMV+polyA）插入pUC-TKLR质粒,构建TK基因缺失打靶质粒。TK、gI和gE基因同源性分析结果显示,XJ2015株与国外EHV-1分离株TK、gI和gE基因同源性均较高,分别为99.8%~100.0%、99.6%~100.0%和99.9%~100.0%;与EHV-3分离株同源性均最低,分别为72.9%、59.4%和62.1%;遗传进化分析显示,3个基因均与国外EHV-1同属于一个遗传进化分支,与EHV-9和EHV-4进化关系较近,但与EHV-3进化关系较远,表明XJ2015毒株与国外EHV-1毒株TK、gI、gE基因核苷酸上差异不明显,没有明显的地域性特征,功能基因保守且进化缓慢,同源基因功能相同或相近;经PCR扩增、酶切、测序及转染鉴定,本试验成功构建了用于TK基因缺失的打靶质粒pUC-TKLR-EGFP。通过对EHV-1主要毒力基因的分析及TK基因缺失打靶载体的构建,为新疆地区马鼻肺炎流行病学调查分析、TK基因缺失株的构建提供理论依据。     

Clinical observations and management of a severe equine herpesvirus type 1 outbreak with abortion and encephalomyelitis

Latent equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is common in horse populations worldwide and estimated to reach a prevalence nearing 90% in some areas. The virus causes acute outbreaks of disease that are characterized by abortion and sporadic cases of myeloencephalopathy (EHM), both severe threats to equine facilities. Different strains vary in their abortigenic and neuropathogenic potential and the simultaneous occurrence of EHM and abortion is rare. In this report, we present clinical observations collected during an EHV-1 outbreak caused by a so-called “neuropathogenic” EHV-1 G₂₂₅₄/D₇₅₂ polymerase (Pol) variant, which has become more prevalent in recent years and is less frequently associated with abortions. In this outbreak with 61 clinically affected horses, 6/7 pregnant mares aborted and 8 horses developed EHM. Three abortions occurred after development of EHM symptoms. Virus detection was performed by nested PCR targeting gB from nasal swabs (11 positive), blood serum (6 positive) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (9 positive) of a total of 42 horses sampled. All 6 fetuses tested positive for EHV-1 by PCR and 4 by virus isolation. Paired serum neutralization test (SNT) on day 12 and 28 after the index case showed a significant (≥ 4-fold) increase in twelve horses (n = 42; 28.6%). This outbreak with abortions and EHM cases on a single equine facility provided a unique opportunity for the documentation of clinical disease progression as well as diagnostic procedures.     

牛疱疹病毒gD-PCR鉴别检测方法的建立

建立一种PCR技术,既能快速检测疱疹病毒1型成员牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒(bovine infectious rhinotracheitisvirus,IBRV),又能区分牛疱疹病毒5型和伪狂犬病毒。根据基因库中牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒的gD基因序列,应用primer 5.0软件设计了gD PCR引物,建立PCR方法,反应条件是:94℃预变性5min,94℃1min,58℃1min,72℃1min,30个循环,72℃7min,4℃5min。该方法能从IBRV阳性样本和参考毒株中扩增出372bp的目的片段,而从同属的牛疱疹病毒5型中扩增出440bp和206bp两条目的片段,从同属的伪狂犬病毒中扩增出303bp的目的片段,但不能从非疱疹病毒属成员猪呼吸与繁殖综合征病毒中扩增出目的条带。该PCR检测IBRV的灵敏度可达1PFU/mL以上。鉴于其灵敏度高、特异性好,可望在牛疱疹病毒感染快速鉴别检测方面发挥重要作用。     

马疱疹病毒1型LAMP检测方法的建立

本试验旨在建立一种检测马疱疹病毒1型（EHV-1）的快速、灵敏、特异的环介导等温扩增技术（LAMP）,同时评价该方法的可靠性。根据马鼻肺炎糖蛋白B（gB）基因特异保守序列设计多对LAMP引物,利用LAMP Real Time Turbidimeter LA-320仪监测反应进程,进行引物筛选和反应条件的优化,建立能特异性扩增EHV-1 DNA的LAMP检测方法,并加入SYBR GreenⅠ通过肉眼判断结果。该方法在65 ℃恒温下作用50 min,使EHV-1 DNA获得了高效率的特异性扩增,与其他马易感病毒如马疱疹病毒4型（EHV-4）等无交叉反应;且具有极高的灵敏性,可检测到10^-4稀释的目标病毒,比普通PCR的灵敏度高10倍;反应结束后加入SYBR GreenⅠ肉眼观察的结果与LAMP Real Time Turbidimeter LA-320仪监测结果一致。通过将4份临床样品的LAMP检测结果与已得到验证的PCR结果进行比对,结果显示符合率为100%。本研究建立的LAMP检测方法具有快速、特异、灵敏、简单易操作且设备要求低等特点,具有实地检测EHV-1的前景。     

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist expression in the equine endometrium during the peri-implantation period

To identify factors involved in the establishment of pregnancy in the mare, endometrium was collected from day 13 (day 0 = day of ovulation) cyclic and day 13, 19, and 25 pregnant animals. From initial cDNA subtraction studies, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) mRNA was found as a candidate molecule expressed uniquely in the pregnant endometrium. Expression of IL-1RN mRNA was markedly increased in day 19 and 25 gravid endometrium. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that IL-1RN mRNA was localized to the glandular epithelium. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) protein was found in the extracts of day 25 gravid endometrium and was immunochemically localized to the glandular epithelium/luminal cavity of the pregnant uterus. High concentrations of estradiol-17β (E₂) were detected in day 25 conceptuses. Concentrations of E₂ were higher in the gravid endometrial portion than in other endometrial regions. On the other hand, progesterone concentrations did not differ among endometrial samples analyzed. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1RN mRNA was up-regulated in endometrium culture samples treated with 10 ng/mL E₂ and 10 ng/mL progesterone. In the analysis of related gene expression, increased amounts of IL-1α and IL-6 mRNA were also found in the day 25 gravid endometrium; however, these expressions in endometrial culture samples were not up-regulated by the steroid treatment. These results indicate that expression of IL-1RN in the endometrium is likely regulated by E₂ and progesterone and suggest that IL-1RN regulates the degree of IL-1 signal transduction and thereby plays an important role in the establishment of equine pregnancy.     

牛疱疹病毒Ⅰ型gB、gE基因的克隆及其杆状病毒表达载体的构建

本试验用PCR方法扩增了牛疱疹病毒Ⅰ型(bovine herpesvirus-1,BHV-1)Bartha Nu/67株gB、gE基因片段,将其克隆到pGEM-T-easy载体。经转化、筛选、鉴定后将重组质粒经BamHⅠ和EcoRⅠ双酶切后,与经相同方法处理的杆状病毒转移载体pFastBacHTb连接,得到了重组质粒pFBHgB、pFBHgE。经酶切和测序鉴定后,将其转化入含穿梭载体Bacmid的感受态细胞DH10Bac,经抗性、蓝白斑筛选和PCR鉴定,得到了含gB、gE基因的重组穿梭载体。