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==Description==
==Description==
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an exotic viral disease affecting horses, donkeys and mules. It is caused by an equid-specific lentivirus in the retrovirus family,http://wikivet.net/index.php?title=Equine_Infectious_Anemia&action=edit Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV). The virus is usually transmitted through large biting flies such as horseflies (Tabanid spp) or stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans). Transmission occurs when these species of flies are in proximity to horses
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an exotic viral disease affecting horses, donkeys and mules. It is caused by Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV), an equid-specific lentivirus in the retrovirus family that is closely to related to HIV in humans.
====Pathogenesis====
====Pathogenesis====
The virus is usually transmitted through large biting flies such as horseflies (Tabanid spp) or stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans). Blood is transferred from infected horses when the flies feed, Infection with EIA results in an acute phase of infection followed by recurrent episodes that usually susbide after a period of time. Affected horses become persistently infected, lifelong carriers of the disease.
*Virus coats red blood cells and thrombocytes
*Virus coats red blood cells and thrombocytes
*'''Type III Immune complex disease''' develops
*'''Type III Immune complex disease''' develops
==Clinical signs==
==Clinical signs==
The incubation period of the disease ranges from 10 to over 45 days and initial clinical signs may be vague or unnoticed. Infection may only be detected following serological testing. Owners of affected animals may Animals may be affected acutely, chronically or sub-clinically.
The incubation period of the disease ranges from 10 to over 45 days and initial clinical signs may be vague or unnoticed. IAnimals may be affected acutely, chronically or sub-clinically and clinical signs vary according to the stage of the disease. Inapparent carriers may be clinically normal. The history may include a period of inappetance, fever, lethargy, depression or weight loss. Clinical signs may include petechial haemorrhages of the mucosae, oedema of the head, limbs and trunk, pyrexia, poor body condition and pale mucous membranes.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==