Genetic variation and phylogenetic analysis of open reading frames 3 and 4 of various equine arteritis virus isolates

The genetic variation in equine arteritis virus (EAV) nonstructural (NS) protein-encoding open reading frames (ORF) 3 and 4 genes was investigated. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences from seven different EAV isolates (one European, one American and five Canadian isolates) and the Arvac vaccine strain were compared with those of the Bucyrus reference strain. ORF 3 nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities amongst these isolates (including the Arvac vaccine strain) and the Bucyrus reference strain ranged from 85.6 to 98.8%, and 85.3 to 98.2%, respectively, whereas ORF 4 nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities ranged from 90.4 to 98.3%, and 90.8 to 97.4%, respectively. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on the ORF 3 nucleotide sequences showed that the European Vienna isolate could be classified into a genetically divergent group from all other isolates and the Arvac vaccine strain. In contrast, a phylogenetic relationship among all EAV isolates and the Arvac vaccine strain based on the ORF 4 nucleotide sequences was observed.