Serologic evidence of vesivirus-specific antibodies associated with abortion in horses

Am J Vet Res. 2006 Jun;67(6):1033-9. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.67.6.1033.

Abstract

Objective: To test horses for serologic evidence of an association between vesiviral antibodies and abortion.

Sample population: Sera from 141 horses.

Procedures: 2 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 comprised sera obtained in 2001 and 2002 from 3 groups of horses (58 mares from farms with a history of abortion problems, 25 mares between 3 and 13 years of age with unknown reproductive histories that were sold at auction [breeding-age control mares], and 29 mixed-age males and yearling females sold at auction [negative control population]). Experiment 2 comprised sera from 3 groups of pregnant mares (10 pregnant mares fed Eastern tent caterpillars [ETCs], 9 pregnant mares fed ETC frass only, and 10 pregnant control mares). Sera were analyzed for antibodies against vesivirus by use of a validated recombinant vesivirusspecific peptide antigen in an indirect ELISA.

Results: For experiment 1, 37 of 58 (63.8%) mares from farms with abortion problems were seropositive for vesivirus antibodies, whereas 10 of 25 (40%) breeding-age control mares were seropositive. All 29 mixed-age males and yearling females were seronegative for vesivirus antibodies. For experiment 2, 17 of 29 mares aborted (some from each group). Seropositive status for vesivirus antibodies increased from 47.1% (8/17) to 88.2% (15/17) for the pregnant mares that aborted during the experiment.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Significant association was detected between seropositive status for vesivirus and abortion in mares; consequently, vesivirus appears to be a pathogenic virus associated with abortion in mares. These data support adding vesivirus antibody testing into diagnostic screening to determine the cause for abortion in mares.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / blood
  • Abortion, Veterinary / immunology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / virology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Caliciviridae Infections / immunology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / immunology*
  • Horse Diseases / virology*
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Vesivirus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral