Distribution of equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in the respiratory tract of ponies: implications for vaccination strategies

Abstract

Twelve adult ponies and 2 conventional foals were exposed to 10(6.6) TCID50 of Equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), strain Ab4 and samples of respiratory tract tissues were recovered. Infectious virus in tissue homogenates was detected using susceptible cell monolayers and expression of viral antigens was monitored using indirect immunoperoxidase histochemistry of paraffin sections. The results illustrated the rapid dissemination of EHV-1 throughout the respiratory tract, with early replication in the lungs one day after exposure. Endothelial cell infection was prominent in all areas of the nasopharynx by Day 4 emphasising the role of endotheliotropism and viraemia in dissemination of this virus to sites of secondary replication. Clinical disease in the adult ponies was mild.