Keratoconjunctivitis in a group of Icelandic horses with suspected γ-herpesvirus involvement

Autor: J. O. Rushton, Herbert Weissenböck, Barbara Nell, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Norbert Nowotny
Rok vydání: 2015
Předmět:
Zdroj: Equine veterinary journal. 48(4)
ISSN: 2042-3306
Popis: Summary Reasons for performing study The role of equid γ-herpesviruses on ocular surface diseases has been disputed, because the diagnosis is usually based on clinical symptoms and detection of viral DNA from samples obtained from live animals. Objectives To describe the clinical course, results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, in situ hybridisation, cell culture and pathohistological findings of select cases in a presumed outbreak of herpesvirus infection in a group of 15 Icelandic horses. Study design Case series. Methods Pooled ocular and nasal swabs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of horses diagnosed clinically with herpesvirus-associated keratoconjunctivitis were analysed for presence of equine herpesviruses (EHV)-2 and EHV-5 nucleic acid using real-time PCR. Necropsy specimens from one horse, subjected to euthanasia due to deterioration of clinical symptoms were examined histopathologically, and analysed for presence of EHV-2 and EHV-5 nucleic acid using real-time PCR. In situ hybridisation and cell culture of select samples were performed. Results All horses with symptoms of severe keratoconjunctivitis were positive for presence of either EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 nucleic acid using real-time PCR. Assessment of necropsy specimens of the most severely affected case, revealed presence of EHV-2 and/or EHV-5 nucleic acid in several ocular and extraocular anatomical locations. The remaining horses responded favourably to symptomatic treatment. Conclusions This case series illustrates a severe outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis in a group of Icelandic horses, with suspected γ-herpesvirus involvement. For the first time equid γ-herpesviruses were detected in intraocular anatomical locations.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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