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Trypanosoma equiperdum is the causative agent of dourine, a sexually-transmitted infection of horses. This parasite belongs to the subgenus Trypanozoon that also includes the agent of sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei) and surra (Trypanosoma evansi). We herein report the genome sequence of a T. equiperdum strain OVI, isolated from a horse in South-Africa in 1976. This is the first genome sequence of the T. equiperdum species, and its availability will provide important insights for future studies on genetic classification of the subgenus Trypanozoon.

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26RNA viruses are responsible for a large variety of animal infections. Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) is a 27 positive single-stranded RNA virus member of the family Arteriviridae from the order Nidovirales like 28 the Coronaviridae. EAV causes respiratory and reproductive diseases in equids. Although two 29 vaccines are available, the vaccination coverage of the equine population is largely insufficient to 30 prevent new EAV outbreaks around the world. In this study, we present a high-throughput in vitro 31 assay suitable for testing candidate antiviral molecules on equine dermal cells infected by EAV. Using 32 this assay, we identified three molecules that impair EAV infection in equine cells: the broad-spectrum 33 antiviral and nucleoside analog ribavirin, and two compounds previously described as inhibitors of 34 dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), the fourth enzyme of the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. 35 These molecules effectively suppressed cytopathic effects associated to EAV infection, and strongly 36 inhibited viral replication and production of infectious particles. Since ribavirin is already approved in 37 human and small animal, and that several DHODH inhibitors are in advanced clinical trials, our results 38 open new perspectives for the management of EAV outbreaks. 39 40 41 Keywords: Antiviral activity, equine arteritis virus, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, pyrimidine 42 biosynthesis inhibitor, ribavirin. 43 44 45 46 47 48