title: Surveillance of equine influenza viruses through the RESPE network in France from November 2005 to October 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Réseau d'Epidémio-Surveillance en Pathologie Equine (RESPE, the French epidemiological network for equine diseases) is a network for epidemio-surveillance of major equine diseases based around sentry veterinarians in France.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of RESPE to efficient surveillance of equine influenza virus (EIV) in France.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  From November 2005 to October 2010, epidemiological and phylogenetic studies were performed on 1426 nasopharyngeal swabs received at the Frank Duncombe Laboratory. Detection was performed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using original primers and probes designed in the matrix protein gene. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out on the HA1 part of haemagglutinin gene amplified from 47 positive-testing samples. Epidemiological information was provided with the majority of samples submitted through RESPE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 920 samples submitted by RESPE-associated veterinarians, 121 (13.1%) from 42 premises were positive for EIV, compared to 26 (5.1%) of the 607 samples received from non-RESPE associated veterinarians. The most extensive outbreak was observed between February and May 2009, affecting 70 horses on 23 premises, 15 of which were managed by RESPE-associated veterinarians. All strains belonged to the American lineage, Florida sublineage, Clade 1 and Clade 2. Clade 1 was identified only during the Grosbois episode.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RESPE improved detection of EIV in France, enabled characterisation of the virus strains, yielded valuable information relating to the epidemiology of the disease and identified vaccine breakdown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of a similar surveillance network in other countries may reduce the economic losses associated with outbreaks of EIV.
authors.affiliation: Frank Duncombe Laboratory, Caen, France; Normandie University, Caen, France; UNICAEN, EA 4655-U2RM: Unité de Recherche Risques Microbiens, Caen, France.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Legrand
authors.forename: P-H Y
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Pitel
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Marcillaud-Pitel
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cullinane
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Couroucé
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Fortier
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Freymuth
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pronost
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring / Q000662:veterinary; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011159:Population Surveillance; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: epidemio-surveillance; equine influenza; horse; outbreak; phylogenetic analysis; surveillance network