Equine viral arteritis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Virology
• Equine Medicine

Background:

• Equine viral arteritis (EVA) poses significant economic threats to the equine industry.
• EVA is caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV), targeting the vascular system primarily.
• The virus exhibits diverse clinical presentations and pathological findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To familiarize pathologists with the clinical aspects, lesions, pathogenesis, and diagnostic methods for EVA.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of EAV infection in horses.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on Equine Viral Arteritis.
• Pathological examination and immunohistochemistry for EAV antigen detection.
• Virus isolation and serological testing for diagnostic confirmation.

Main Results:

• EAV targets various cell types, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, myocytes, and macrophages.
• Systemic spread involves monocytes, leading to vascular, renal, and reproductive system involvement.
• Lesions in aborted fetuses are typically mild and EAV antigen may be undetectable.

Conclusions:

• EVA presents with variable clinical signs and lesions that can mimic other equine diseases.
• Accurate diagnosis requires thorough pathological examination, immunohistochemistry, virus isolation, and serology.
• Early and correct diagnosis is crucial for managing EVA outbreaks and economic impact.