Equine Infectious Anemia

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Also known as: EIA, Swamp Fever


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.