Abstract
(1) Background: Equine hepacivirus (EqHV), also referred to as non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV), infects horses—and dogs in some instances—and is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) that has infected up to 3% of the world’s human population, causing an epidemic of liver cirrhosis and cancer. EqHV also chronically infects the liver of horses, but does not appear to cause serious liver damages. Previous studies have been looking to identify route(s) of EqHV transmission to and between horses. (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate the prevalence of vertical transmission taking place in utero with measuring by quantitative RT-PCR the amounts of EqHV genome in samples from 394 dead foals or fetuses, paired with the allantochorion whenever available. (3) Results: Detection of EqHV in three foals most likely resulted from a vertical transmission from the mares to the fetuses, consistent with the in utero transmission hypothesis. In support of this observation, the presence of EqHV genome was found for the first time in two of the allantochorions. (4) Conclusions: As seemingly benign viruses could turn deadly (e.g., Zika flavivirus) and EqHV happens to have infected a significant proportion of the world’s horse herds, EqHV infectious cycle should be further clarified.
Highlights
Since Burbelo et al [1] first reported the infection of horses by an equine hepacivirus (EqHV)
EqHV measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) varies from less than 1 to over 10 percent [2]
Most samples were intended for routine bacteriological cultures, equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), and equine viral arteritis (EVA) PCR
Summary
Since Burbelo et al [1] first reported the infection of horses by an equine hepacivirus (EqHV). In 2012, the presence of this non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) has been described in the equine populations of the five continents [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. Among all hepaciviruses recently discovered in different animal species, EqHV displays the highest genomic homology to hepatitis C virus, which chronically infects humans in the liver. Viruses2019, 11,1124 x FOR PEER REVIEW Viruses 22 of of 12. A recent study performed in an area where EqHV is endemic in horses failed to detect the virusAinrecent a sample ofperformed over 5000 in mosquitoes, making the an unlikely of detect this virus [12] The study of hepaciviral infections in equids could shed some light on the physiopathology of HCV [10]; knowledge on HCV could help investigating EqHV pathogenicity and elucidating its transmission route(s) (Figure 1).
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