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Research Article
Molecular Detection and Epidemiology of Equine Herpesvirus 2 and 5 in Working Equids in Central Ethiopia
Haileleul Negussie
College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University
Corresponding Author
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Background: Equine respiratory illness is a common problem that impacts the performance of the working capacity of equids. In Ethiopia, respiratory disease is the most common presenting complaint at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for equid owners and veterinary practitioners. Although studies had been conducted in EHV-2 and EHV-5 elsewhere in the world, many unknowns remained. Thus, a detailed study is needed to understand more about the epidemiology of the viruses. This study aimed to detect EHV-2 and EHV-5 from working equids in central Ethiopia.
Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 58 horses and donkeys to detect EHV-2 and EHV-5 using PCR. Viral DNA was extracted and PCR amplification was performed using virus-specific primers targeting the conserved region of glycoprotein B (gB) genes.
Results: From 58 equids, EHV-5 and EHV-2 were detected in 20 (34.5%) and 19 (32.8%) equids, respectively. Concurrent infection with EHV-2 and EHV-5 was found in 6 (10.3%) diseased equids. EHV-2 was detected in a significantly higher proportion (P = 0.002) in horses (54.5%; n = 18) than donkeys (4%; n = 1). In contrast, a significantly higher (P = 0.004) proportion of EHV-5 was detected in donkeys (56%; n =14) than horses (18.2%; n = 6). EHV-2 was detected in a significantly higher (P = 0.006) proportion in equids displaying signs of respiratory disease (16/33; 48.5%) compared to those without disease (3/25; 12%). EHV-2 positive equids were seven times more likely to display clinical signs of respiratory disease than EHV-2-negative equids (OR = 6.9; 95% CI: 1.72-27.60). For EHV-5, the observed difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.832). A significantly higher (P = 0.041) proportion of EHV-2 was detected in equids living in midland (52.9%; n = 9) compared with highland (24.4%; n = 10). Equids residing in the midland were four times more likely to be exposed to EHV-2 than highland equids (OR = 3.97; 95% CI: 1.05 - 14.89).
Conclusion: EHV-2 and EHV-5 are highly prevalent both in horses and donkeys residing in central Ethiopia. Species-specific susceptibility differences in EHV-2 and EHV-5 infection are observed. The observed causal association between EHV-2-test-positive and the appearance of clinical signs of respiratory disorders should be further investigated.
Keywords
EHV-2, EHV-5, Equids, PCR, Respiratory disease, Ethiopia
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Veterinary Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Molecular Detection and Epidemiology of Equine Herpesvirus 2 and 5 in Working Equids in Central Ethiopia
Haileleul Negussie
College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 07 Jan, 2021
No community comments so far
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 12 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 05 Jan, 2021
Editor invited
On 05 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 05 Jan, 2021
First submitted
On 17 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Equine respiratory illness is a common problem that impacts the performance of the working capacity of equids. In Ethiopia, respiratory disease is the most common presenting complaint at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for equid owners and veterinary practitioners. Although studies had been conducted in EHV-2 and EHV-5 elsewhere in the world, many unknowns remained. Thus, a detailed study is needed to understand more about the epidemiology of the viruses. This study aimed to detect EHV-2 and EHV-5 from working equids in central Ethiopia.
Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 58 horses and donkeys to detect EHV-2 and EHV-5 using PCR. Viral DNA was extracted and PCR amplification was performed using virus-specific primers targeting the conserved region of glycoprotein B (gB) genes.
Results: From 58 equids, EHV-5 and EHV-2 were detected in 20 (34.5%) and 19 (32.8%) equids, respectively. Concurrent infection with EHV-2 and EHV-5 was found in 6 (10.3%) diseased equids. EHV-2 was detected in a significantly higher proportion (P = 0.002) in horses (54.5%; n = 18) than donkeys (4%; n = 1). In contrast, a significantly higher (P = 0.004) proportion of EHV-5 was detected in donkeys (56%; n =14) than horses (18.2%; n = 6). EHV-2 was detected in a significantly higher (P = 0.006) proportion in equids displaying signs of respiratory disease (16/33; 48.5%) compared to those without disease (3/25; 12%). EHV-2 positive equids were seven times more likely to display clinical signs of respiratory disease than EHV-2-negative equids (OR = 6.9; 95% CI: 1.72-27.60). For EHV-5, the observed difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.832). A significantly higher (P = 0.041) proportion of EHV-2 was detected in equids living in midland (52.9%; n = 9) compared with highland (24.4%; n = 10). Equids residing in the midland were four times more likely to be exposed to EHV-2 than highland equids (OR = 3.97; 95% CI: 1.05 - 14.89).
Conclusion: EHV-2 and EHV-5 are highly prevalent both in horses and donkeys residing in central Ethiopia. Species-specific susceptibility differences in EHV-2 and EHV-5 infection are observed. The observed causal association between EHV-2-test-positive and the appearance of clinical signs of respiratory disorders should be further investigated.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3