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Fortier C, El-Hage C, Normand C, Hue ES, Sutton G, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Jeffers K, Bamford N, Oden E, Paillot R, Hartley C, Gilkerson J, Pronost S. Detection of Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis Virus and Equine Hepacivirus in Archived Sera from Horses in France and Australia. Viruses 2024; 16:862. [PMID: 38932156 PMCID: PMC11209535 DOI: 10.3390/v16060862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Reports of newly discovered equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses have emerged throughout the last decade in many countries, the discovery of which has stimulated a great deal of interest and clinical research. Although commonly detected in horses without signs of disease, equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV) have been associated with liver disease, including following the administration of contaminated anti-toxin. Our aim was to determine whether EqPV-H and EqHV are present in Australian horses and whether EqPV-H was present in French horses and to examine sequence diversity between strains of both viruses amongst infected horses on either side of the globe. Sera from 188 Australian horses and 256 French horses from horses with and without clinical signs of disease were collected. Twelve out of 256 (4.7%) and 6 out of 188 (3.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqPV-H. Five out of 256 (1.9%) and 21 out of 188 (11.2%) French and Australian horses, respectively, were positive for the molecular detection of EqHV. Australian strains for both viruses were genomically clustered, in contrast to strains from French horses, which were more broadly distributed. The findings of this preliminary survey, with the molecular detection of EqHV and EqPV-H in Australia and the latter in France, adds to the growing body of awareness regarding these recently discovered hepatotropic viruses. It has provided valuable information not just in terms of geographic endemicity but will guide equine clinicians, carers, and authorities regarding infectious agents and potential impacts of allogenic tissue contamination. Although we have filled many gaps in the world map regarding equine hepatotropic viruses, further prospective studies in this emerging field may be useful in terms of elucidating risk factors and pathogenesis of these pathogens and management of cases in terms of prevention and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Fortier
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Charles El-Hage
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Camille Normand
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Erika S. Hue
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
| | - Gabrielle Sutton
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Cytokines and Adaptive Immunity Lab, Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | | | - Kim Jeffers
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas Bamford
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Elise Oden
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
| | - Romain Paillot
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Faculty of Science & Engineering, School of Agriculture, Animal & Environmental Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU Writtle), Lordship Road, Writtle Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UK
| | - Carol Hartley
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - James Gilkerson
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (C.E.-H.); (K.J.); (N.B.); (C.H.); (J.G.)
| | - Stéphane Pronost
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France; (C.F.); (E.S.H.); (G.S.); (E.O.); (R.P.)
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Biotargen, 14280 Saint-Contest, France
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Nardini R, Pacchiarotti G, Svicher V, Salpini R, Bellocchi MC, Conti R, Sala MG, La Rocca D, Carioti L, Cersini A, Manna G, Scicluna MT. First National Prevalence in Italian Horse Population and Phylogenesis Highlight a Fourth Sub-Type Candidate of Equine Hepacivirus. Viruses 2024; 16:616. [PMID: 38675957 PMCID: PMC11054338 DOI: 10.3390/v16040616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine hepacivirus (EqHV, Flaviviridae, hepacivirus) is a small, enveloped RNA virus generally causing sub-clinical hepatitis with occasional fatalities. EqHV is reported in equids worldwide, but for Italy data are limited. To address this, a survey study was set up to estimate prevalence at a national level and among different production categories (equestrian; competition; work and meat; reproduction) and national macro-regions (North, Central, South, and Islands). Data obtained testing 1801 horse serum samples by Real-Time RT PCR were compared within the categories and regions. The NS3 fragment of the PCR-positive samples was sequenced by Sanger protocol for phylogenetic and mutational analysis. The tertiary structure of the NS3 protein was also assessed. The estimated national prevalence was 4.27% [1.97-6.59, 95% CI] and no statistical differences were detected among production categories and macro-regions. The phylogenesis confirmed the distribution in Italy of the three known EqHV subtypes, also suggesting a possible fourth sub-type that, however, requires further confirmation. Mutational profiles that could also affect the NS3 binding affinity to the viral RNA were detected. The present paper demonstrates that EqHV should be included in diagnostic protocols when investigating causes of hepatitis, and in quality control protocols for blood derived products due to its parental transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Nardini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Giulia Pacchiarotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Valentina Svicher
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Romina Salpini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (M.C.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Maria Concetta Bellocchi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (M.C.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Raffaella Conti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Marcello Giovanni Sala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Davide La Rocca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Luca Carioti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (M.C.B.); (L.C.)
| | - Antonella Cersini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Manna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
| | | | - Maria Teresa Scicluna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (R.C.); (M.G.S.); (D.L.R.); (A.C.); (G.M.); (M.T.S.)
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Pacchiarotti G, Nardini R, Scicluna MT. Equine Hepacivirus: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Serological and Biomolecular Prevalence and a Phylogenetic Update. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2486. [PMID: 36230228 PMCID: PMC9558973 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis has recently assumed relevance for equine veterinary medicine since a variety of new viruses have been discovered. Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) is an RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family that can cause subclinical hepatitis in horses, occasionally evolving into a chronic disease. EqHV, to date, is considered the closest known relative of human HCV. EqHV has been reported worldwide therefore assessing its features is relevant, considering both the wide use of blood products and transfusions in veterinary therapies and its similitude to HCV. The present review resumes the actual knowledge on EqHV epidemiology, risk factors and immunology, together with potential diagnostics and good practices for prevention. Moreover, adhering to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews a meta-analysis of serological and biomolecular prevalence and an updated phylogenetic description is presented as a benchmark for further studies.
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Bezerra CDS, Limeira CH, Monteiro dos Anjos D, Nogueira DB, Morais DDA, Falcão BMR, Alves CJ, Santos CDSAB, Silva MLCR, de Azevedo SS. Global prevalence of RNA-positive horses for hepacivirus (EqHV): systematic review and meta-analysis. J Equine Vet Sci 2022; 114:104003. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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