EHV1 & EHV4 ELISA

Pathogen test This ELISA test detects antibodies to Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) and to Equine Hespesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), the 2 agents...

€57.85

Sample Requirements

5 mL - blood - serum tube

Send your sample by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

Turnaround Time

2 to 5 working days

About the test

This ELISA test detects antibodies to Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus Type 4 (EHV-4), the two viruses responsible for Equine Rhinopneumonitis.

ELISA test with antibody titration.

What is Equine Rhinopneumonitis?

Equine Rhinopneumonitis (ER) is a collective term for several highly contagious diseases caused by Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4).

Infection with either virus primarily causes respiratory disease, although EHV-1 may also lead to abortion, neonatal foal death and neurological disease.

Clinical signs

The incubation period ranges from 2 to 10 days.

Respiratory signs

Fever lasting 1–7 days
Coughing
Depression
Inappetence
Nasal discharge

Reproductive signs

Abortion usually occurs between 7 and 11 months of gestation, approximately 2–12 weeks after infection.
The mare's reproductive tract is not permanently damaged and fertility is generally not affected.

Neurological signs

Mild incoordination
Hindlimb paralysis
Recumbency
Loss of bladder and tail function
Loss of sensation around the tail and hindlimbs

Transmission

Transmission occurs through:

Direct contact (nose-to-nose).
Indirect contact via contaminated buckets, clothing and blankets.
Aerosol spread over short distances.
Contact with aborted foetuses, placentas or placental fluids.

Following infection, horses may become latent carriers. The virus can reactivate during periods of stress or following administration of high doses of corticosteroids.

Prevention

Upon detection of clinical signs suggestive of EHV, the veterinarian may collect:

Nasopharyngeal swabs.
Blood samples.
Tissue from aborted foetuses.

Paired blood samples may also be collected to evaluate antibody titres.

Treatment consists of supportive care.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to reduce fever, pain and inflammation.

Most uncomplicated cases recover within a few weeks.

Horses with neurological disease have a variable prognosis depending on the severity of the condition. Horses unable to stand for prolonged periods generally have a poor prognosis.

Affected horses should rest until fully recovered before gradually returning to work.

Results

This ELISA test detects antibodies against Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus Type 4 (EHV-4).

Antibody titres are reported using ELISA with antibody titration.