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EIA
Pathogenesis
- Virus coats red blood cells and thrombocytes
- Type III Immune complex disease develops
- Non-neutralizing antibody and complement lyse RBC's, causing:
- Jaundice
- Vasculitis
- Hemorrhage
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of condition
- Oedema
- High mortality
Epidemiology
- Notifiable in UK but endemic in parts of the US
- Animals can be carriers for years despite being antibody-positive
- Transfer is mechanical via vectors:
- Mosquitoes transfer infected macrophages
- Also transferred via infected needles, semen and milk
- Infected horses have lifetime latent infection of macrophages with recurring bouts of virus when immunocompromised
Diagnosis
- Coggins test required for horse movement in the US:
- Serum antibody by immunodiffusion in infected horse spleen
Control
- Slaughter of infected animal
- 2 clear Coggins tests of all horses before movement allowed
- Vector control: stabling, etc.