Detection of Equid herpesvirus type 2 and 5 DNA in uterine flushings of mares with reproductive disorders

Effects of Mustelid gammaherpesvirus 1 (MusGHV-1) Reactivation in European Badger (Meles meles) Genital Tracts on Reproductive Fitness

“…Genital MusGHV-1 reactivation rates in our Irish dataset are comparable to those previously reported in an English badger population [47]. Nevertheless, the overall badger MusGHV-1 reactivation rates of 61.8% found in this study and of 50.6% (excluding cubs) in Kent et al [47] at a near 100% prevalence in blood [49] are higher than gammaherpesvirus reactivation rates reported in other species: human EBV (22-90% seropositive rate) has been reported with viral DNA isolation from 8-28% from cervical fluids and semen samples [54]; horse EHV-5 DNA has been found in 14.7% of uterine flushing samples and 2.6% of genital swabs; horse EHV-2 (79.7% seroprevalence [55]): 1.6% from uterine flushing; 2.3% from genital swabs [25,56]; reindeer CvHV-2 DNA has been found in 24% of vaginal swabs (unspecified seroprevalence) [20]; cattle BHV-4 (96.9% seroprevalence) DNA in 48.5% of uterine swabs and 51.5% of vaginal swabs [57]. The exceptionally high prevalence of MusGHV-1 DNA in badger genital tracts further strengthens that sexual transmission may be an important route in gammaherpesvirus transmission comparable to human KSHV [58] and murine MHV-4 [13].…”

Gammaherpesvirus infections in equids: a review

“…The molecular detection of these viruses, often confirmed by immunohistochemistry, has identified them in association with a range of previously unidentified pathologies, including abortion, endometritis, dermatitis, granulomatous dermatitis, and oral and esophageal ulcers. 42 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 119 – 121 …”

“…It has been proposed that EHV-2 may have a role in transactivation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 either alone or in association with EHV-5. 42 , 67 , 68 , 70 , 73 – 75 , 84 , 110 , 121 – 128 That notwithstanding, the relevance of these findings is not well defined.…”

“… 61 , 113 , 115 A case of dermatitis, similar to herpes-associated erythema multifor me in humans, has been described in association with EHV-5. 136 Moreover, EHV-5 DNA has been found in uterine flushings, 121 aborted fetuses, and cases of neonatal mortality. 42 , 70 Also, EHV-5 has been associated with a systemic granulomatous disease in a warmblood gelding with severe oral and esophageal ulceration together with spleen and bone marrow involvement.…”

“… 139 , 140 There is also the occasional detection or isolation of EHV-5 as well as other viruses or bacteria. 42 , 53 , 67 , 68 , 70 , 73 , 84 , 121 , 126 , 134 , 135 …”