Serological Evidence of Common Equine Viral Infections in a Semi-Isolated, Unvaccinated Population of Hucul Horses.

Barbara Bażanów,Aleksandra Pogorzelska,Dominika Stygar,Tomasz Gębarowski,Wojciech Chwirot,Magdalena Florek,Agnieszka Frącka,Janusz T Pawęska

doi:10.3390/ani11082261

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe aim of the following research was an analysis of the occurrence of common equine viral infections in a Hucul herd, based on serological studies. This study provides epidemiological data concerning animals representing a semi-isolated herd, devoid of any specific prophylaxis. The obtained results provide a source of information on a primitive breed of horses, as well as giving an insight into viruses (among them, arboviruses) circulating within a local ecosystem.Huculs (Equus caballus) are an old breed of primitive mountain horses, originating from the Carpathian Mountains. To the best of our knowledge, data concerning the epidemiology of viral infections observed within this breed are sparse. The objective of this study was to estimate the serological status of a semi-isolated, unvaccinated Hucul herd, with respect to both common equine viral infections and horse-infecting arboviruses, the presence of which was previously reported in Poland. Twenty horses of the Hucul breed, living in a remote area in Poland, were studied in 2018 from March to May. Using nasal secretion swabs as a specimen source, isolation attempts were negative regarding ERAV, EHV-1, EAV, and EIV. According to the virus neutralisation method, in the sera obtained from the animals, antibodies against the following viruses were detected: EHV-1 in 12 horses (60%; with titres from 1:8 to 1:64), EIV A/H7N7 in 13 (65%; titres from 1:20 to 1:80), EIV A /H3N8 in 12 (60%; titres from 1:20 to 1:80), USUV in 5 (25%; titres from 1:10 to 1:80), and ERAV in 1 (5%; titre 1:32). Antibodies against EAV, EIAV, and WNV were not present in the tested sera. The detected presence of specific antibodies associated with five out of the eight equine viruses investigated indicates that the Hucul herd, due to its partial separation and lack of specific prophylaxis, could serve as a sentinel animal group for the detection of equine viruses/arboviruses present within the local ecosystem. The detection of common equine viral infections within the herd provides additional epidemiological data concerning the breed.

Highlights

Huculs (Equus caballus), known as Carpathian horses or Carpathian ponies, are a breed of primitive, small, mountain horses [1]
Nasal swabs obtained from all the horses tested in this study were negative for the presence of the four common equine viruses investigated, which indicates the absence of ongoing infection with EAV, EHV-1, ERAV, or EIV at the time of swabbing
The present study provides useful epidemiological data regarding viral infections in

Summary

Introduction

Huculs (Equus caballus), known as Carpathian horses or Carpathian ponies, are a breed of primitive, small, mountain horses [1] This old breed originates from the region of the eastern part of the Carpathian Mountains, and the first written material concerning these animals dates back to the beginning of the 17th century [1,2]. Huculs are distinguished by their incredible strength, vitality, and resistance to harsh weather conditions; they can be kept on pastures throughout the year [1]. They are known for their excellent health, including disease resistance, as well as for their high fertility and longevity [3,4]. To the best of our knowledge, epidemiological information in the form of only two papers exclusively reporting equine viral arteritis (EVA) infections is available for these animals [5,6]

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