First detection of the equine herpesvirus 1 neuropathogenic variant in Brazil

• Published in: Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics) Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 949 - 954
• Main Authors: Mori, E, Borges, A S, Delfiol, D J Z, Oliveira Filho, J P, Gonçalves, R C, Cagnini, D Q, Lara, M C C S H, Cunha, E M S, Villalobos, E M C, Nassar, A F C, Castro, A M M G, Brandao, P E, Richtzenhain, L J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Animals; Brain - pathology; Brazil - epidemiology; Encephalitis, Viral - epidemiology; Encephalitis, Viral - veterinary; Encephalitis, Viral - virology; Euthanasia, Animal; Fatal Outcome; Female; Herpesviridae Infections - epidemiology; Herpesviridae Infections - veterinary; Herpesviridae Infections - virology; Herpesvirus 1, Equid - genetics; Herpesvirus 1, Equid - isolation & purification; Herpesvirus 1, Equid - pathogenicity; Horse Diseases - epidemiology; Horse Diseases - pathology; Horse Diseases - virology; Horses; Myelitis - epidemiology; Myelitis - veterinary; Myelitis - virology; Spinal Cord - pathology; Brazil
• ISSN: 0253-1933

This report describes the first detection of an equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) neuropathogenic variant (G2254/D752) in Brazil from a case of fatal equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a mare. The results of nucleotide sequencing of the EHV-1 ORF30 gene showed that two other Brazilian EHV-1 isolates from EHM cases are representatives of the non-neuropathogenic variant (A2254/N752), suggesting that other unidentified factors are probably also involved in the neuropathogenicity of EHV-1 in horses. These findings will contribute to the epidemiological knowledge of EHV-1 infection in Brazil.