{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Viremia and nasal shedding for the diagnosis of equine herpesvirus-1 infection in domesticated horses.
{Author}: Pusterla N;Dorman DC;Burgess BA;Goehring L;Gross M;Osterrieder K;Soboll Hussey G;Lunn DP;
{Journal}: J Vet Intern Med
{Volume}: 38
{Issue}: 3
{Year}: 2024 May-Jun 9
{Factor}: 3.175
{DOI}: 10.1111/jvim.16958
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection is associated with upper respiratory disease, EHM, abortions, and neonatal death.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Are nasal secretions a more sensitive biological sample compared to blood for the detection of EHV-1 infection? How long is EHV-1 detectable after primary infection by PCR?<BR><B>METHODS: </B>MedLine and Web of Science searches identified original peer-reviewed reports evaluating nasal shedding and viremia using virus isolation methods or PCR published in English before October 9, 2023.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Sixty experimental and 20 observational studies met inclusion criteria. EHV-1 detection frequency by qPCR in nasal secretions and blood from naturally-infected horses with fever and respiratory signs were 15% and 9%, respectively; qPCR detection rates in nasal secretions and blood from horses with suspected EHM were 94% and 70%, respectively. In experimental studies the sensitivity of qPCR matched or exceeded that seen for virus isolation from either nasal secretions or blood. Detection of nasal shedding typically occurred within 2 days after EHV-1 inoculation with a detection period of 3 to 7 days. Viremia lasted 2 to 7 days and was usually detected ≥1 days after positive identification of EHV-1 in nasal secretions. Nasal shedding and viremia decreased over time and remained detectable in some horses for several weeks after inoculation.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Under experimental conditions, blood and nasal secretions have similar sensitivity for the detection of EHV-1 when horses are sampled on multiple consecutive days. In contrast, in observational studies detection of EHV-1 in nasal secretions was consistently more successful.