Abstract:
As evidenced by sero-epidemiological studies, infections of horses with the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) occur frequently in TBEV-endemic areas. However, there are only very few reports of clinical cases. A possible underreporting may be due to a variety of diagnostic challenges. In this study, ELISA and neutralization tests were applied to serum samples. Brain tissue samples were investigated for the presence of nucleic acids of TBEV, Equid alphaherpesvirus 1, Borna disease virus 1, West Nile and Usutu viruses, rustrela virus, as well as Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses with RT-qPCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR, respectively. TBEV-specific amplification products were subjected to Sanger sequencing. In addition, a direct fluorescent antibody test for rabies was performed. Clinical and patho-histological findings are reported. Using specific RT-qPCR and RT-PCR assays, TBEV nucleic acids were demonstrated in brain tissue samples. Sequencing revealed the Western (formerly Central) European subtype of TBEV as the etiological agent. A high titer of TBEV-specific neutralizing antibodies was found in the serum. RNAscope in situ hybridization revealed TBEV RNA confined to neuronal cell bodies and processes. No other pathogens or nucleic acids thereof could be detected. Diagnostic procedures need to be carried out early after the onset of neurological signs to allow for a final etiological diagnosis of acute TBEV infections in horses.
摘要:
血清流行病学研究证明,蜱传脑炎病毒(TBEV)对马的感染经常发生在TBEV流行地区。然而,只有很少的临床病例报告。可能的漏报可能是由于各种诊断挑战。在这项研究中,对血清样品进行ELISA和中和试验。研究了脑组织样品中TBEV核酸的存在,马术甲疱疹病毒1型,博尔纳病病毒1型,西尼罗河病毒和乌斯图病毒,Rustrela病毒,和东方一样,西方,和委内瑞拉马脑炎病毒的RT-qPCR,RT-PCR,和qPCR,分别。对TBEV特异性扩增产物进行Sanger测序。此外,对狂犬病进行了直接荧光抗体测试。报告了临床和病理组织学发现。使用特异性RT-qPCR和RT-PCR分析,在脑组织样品中证明了TBEV核酸。测序显示,EBEV的西部(以前是中部)欧洲亚型是病因。在血清中发现了高滴度的TBEV特异性中和抗体。RNAscope原位杂交显示TBEVRNA仅限于神经元细胞体和过程。不能检测到其它病原体或其核酸。诊断程序需要在神经体征出现后的早期进行,以便对马的急性TBEV感染进行最终的病因诊断。