Percentage of equine arteritis virus infections in stallions of various breads [Polish]

摘要

The clinical signs in field cases of Equine Viral Arteritis vary widely among individuals horses and between outbreaks. Pyrexia is often the only symptom. In addition, the following symptoms may be observed: depression and anorexia, palpebral oedema and conjuctivitis, lacrimation and nasal discharge. Oedema of the limbs, prepuce and scrotum and mammary glands are typical for the disease. Misscarriage in pregnant mares occurs quite often. Some healthy stallions shed the EA virus with their semen. The overall goal of the study was to determine the influence of age and breed of horses on the viral infection and the shedder state of the semen. 2101 stallions were investigated between 1997 and 2002. The influence of breed on infection was analysed in 972 stallions. Serological investigations were done using the sero neutralization test. Virus isolation in cell culture (RK-13 and Vero) was used for virological investigations. Cytophatic agents were identified through indirect immunofluorescence. The study revealed that the infection index varied amongst different age groups. The highest percentage of infection was in 21-31 year old stallions (66.3%). it is possible that the breed of stallions may influence infection, but neither age nor breed influences the shedding state of semen.