Seroprevalence of antibodies against equine arteritis virus in horses residing in the United States and imported horses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare seroprevalence of antibodies against equine arteritis virus (EAV) in horses residing in the United States with that of imported horses.


METHODS
Serologic survey.


METHODS
Serum samples from 364 horses on 44 equine operations in California and 226 horses imported from various countries.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected from each imported horse and from up to 20 horses on each operation. For resident horses, the number of sampled horses on each operation was determined on the basis of the number of horses on the operation. Samples were tested for antibodies against EAV by use of a serum neutralization test.


RESULTS
1.9% of resident horses and 18.6% of imported horses were seropositive to EAV, including 16.1% of imported stallions.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that the EAV seroprevalence of horses residing in California is considerably lower than that of imported horses, including imported stallions.
Hullinger
P J
PJ
California Department of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Sacramento 95814, USA.
Gardner
I A
IA
Hietala
S K
SK
Ferraro
G L
GL
MacLachlan
N J
NJ
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018174:Arterivirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D007240:Equartevirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral