Serologic evidence of vesivirus-specific antibodies associated with abortion in horses.
OBJECTIVE
To test horses for serologic evidence of an association between vesiviral antibodies and abortion.


METHODS
Sera from 141 horses.


METHODS
2 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 comprised sera obtained in 2001 and 2002 from 3 groups of horses (58 mares from farms with a history of abortion problems, 25 mares between 3 and 13 years of age with unknown reproductive histories that were sold at auction [breeding-age control mares], and 29 mixed-age males and yearling females sold at auction [negative control population]). Experiment 2 comprised sera from 3 groups of pregnant mares (10 pregnant mares fed Eastern tent caterpillars [ETCs], 9 pregnant mares fed ETC frass only, and 10 pregnant control mares). Sera were analyzed for antibodies against vesivirus by use of a validated recombinant vesivirusspecific peptide antigen in an indirect ELISA.


RESULTS
For experiment 1, 37 of 58 (63.8%) mares from farms with abortion problems were seropositive for vesivirus antibodies, whereas 10 of 25 (40%) breeding-age control mares were seropositive. All 29 mixed-age males and yearling females were seronegative for vesivirus antibodies. For experiment 2, 17 of 29 mares aborted (some from each group). Seropositive status for vesivirus antibodies increased from 47.1% (8/17) to 88.2% (15/17) for the pregnant mares that aborted during the experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant association was detected between seropositive status for vesivirus and abortion in mares; consequently, vesivirus appears to be a pathogenic virus associated with abortion in mares. These data support adding vesivirus antibody testing into diagnostic screening to determine the cause for abortion in mares.
Kurth
Andreas
A
Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Skilling
Douglas E
DE
Smith
Alvin W
AW
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D029342:Vesivirus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral