Detection of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in urine samples during outbreaks of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy
Equine veterinary journal publica este artículo de investigación
1 de mayo de 2024
Background: Real-time PCR is the diagnostic technique of choice for the diagnosis and control of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in an outbreak setting. The presence of EHV-1 in nasal swabs (NS), whole blood, brain and spinal cord samples has been extensively described; however, there are no reports on the excretion of EHV-1 in urine, its DNA detection patterns, and the role of urine in viral spread during an outbreak.
Objectives: To determine the presence of EHV-1 DNA in urine during natural infection and to compare the DNA detection patterns of EHV-1 in urine, buffy coat (BC) and NS.
Study design: Descriptive study of natural infection.
Methods: Urine and whole blood/NS samples were collected at different time points during the hospitalisation of 21 horses involved in two EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy outbreaks in 2021 and 2023 in Spain. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to compare the viral DNA load between BC-urine samples in 2021 and NS-urine samples in 2023. Sex, age, breed, presence of neurological signs, EHV-1 vaccination status and treatment data were recorded for all horses.
Results: A total of 18 hospitalised horses during the 2021 and 2023 outbreaks were positive for EHV-1, and viral DNA was detected in urine samples from a total of 11 horses in both outbreaks. Compared with BC samples, DNA presence was detected in urine samples for longer duration and with slightly higher concentration; however, compared with NS, detection of EHV-1 in urine was similar in duration with lower DNA concentrations.
Main limitations: Limited sample size, different sampling times and protocols (BC vs. NS) in two natural infection outbreak settings.
Conclusions: EHV-1 was detected in the urine from naturally infected horses. Urine should be considered as complimentary to blood and NS in diagnosis of EHV-1 infection
Velloso-Alvarez A., Jose-Cunilleras E., Dorrego-Rodriguez A., Santiago-Llorente I., de las Cuesta-Torrado M., Troya-Portillo L., Rivera B., Vitale V., de Juan L. y Cruz F..
 | Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera (CEU-UCH). |
 | Unitat Equina. Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). |
| Departamento de Medicina y Cirurgia Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). |
 | Servicio de Vigilancia Sanitaria Equina (SEVISEQ). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Hospital Clínico Veterinario Complutense (HCVC). Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). |
