Difference between revisions of "Equine Influenza"

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{unfinished}}
 
{{unfinished}}
 
{{toplink
 
|linkpage =Viruses
 
|linktext =VIRUSES
 
|sublink1=Orthomyxoviridae
 
|subtext1=INFLUENZA
 
|pagetype =Bugs
 
}}
 
<br>
 
  
 
===Subtypes===
 
===Subtypes===
Line 44: Line 35:
 
***The course consists of a primary inoculation followed by a second within 21-92 days and a third after a further 150-215 days
 
***The course consists of a primary inoculation followed by a second within 21-92 days and a third after a further 150-215 days
 
***Boosters are given annually to maintain immunity, and in the event a year is missed the initial course of three jabs must be repeated
 
***Boosters are given annually to maintain immunity, and in the event a year is missed the initial course of three jabs must be repeated
 +
[[Category:Orthomyxoviridae]][[Category:Horse]]

Revision as of 10:35, 22 May 2010



Subtypes

  • Two subtypes of Equine Influenza have been described:
    • H7N7 (Equine 1), which was prevalent in the UK between 1963-1977
    • H3N8 (Equine 2), or the European strains, have been circulating since 1965
  • Some drift has occurred, causing outbreaks of North-American-like strains of H3N8 in 1998 (EU) and 2003 (South America)

Pathogenesis

  • Aerosol and fomite transmission infects the epithelium of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in cell necrosis
  • This manifests a bronchiolitis and serous exudation
  • 1-3 day incubation period
  • Excretion of the virus in nasal secretions peaks at 3-4 days and finishes by 10 days
  • Clinical signs:
    • Harsh dry cough
    • Pyrexia (103-106F)
    • Depression
    • Loss of appetite
    • Enlarged submandibular lymph nodes
  • Secondary bacterial infection can follow defective muco-ciliary transport, eg Streptococcus zooepidemicus
  • For more, see here

Diagnosis

  • Virus isolation: Deep nasal swabs (12 inches) deposited into 10ml of transport medium and transported at 4C
  • Antigen detection via ELISA: tests for type A nucleoprotein
  • Serology provides a retrospective diagnosis by Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI):
    • Acute and Convalescent (2 weeks post-acute) samples are tested from the same animal
    • 4-fold increase of HI must be shown to confirm diagnosis

Control

  • Isolate coughing horses to minimize spread
  • Vaccination:
    • All vaccines include H7 and varieties of the current circulating strains of H3
    • Inactivated egg-grown vaccine is produced with alhydrogel as an adjuvant
    • Live vaccines using purified haemagglutinin do not require adjuvants
    • UK Jockey Club rules regarding timing:
      • Horses must be certified as completing a vaccination course of 3 injections at least 8 days prior to racing
      • The course consists of a primary inoculation followed by a second within 21-92 days and a third after a further 150-215 days
      • Boosters are given annually to maintain immunity, and in the event a year is missed the initial course of three jabs must be repeated