PCR Project Equine
Combatting equine diseases through better monitoring Monitoring of infectious equine diseases is important. In the Netherlands, this has taken place through SEIN (Surveillance of Equine Infectious Diseases in the Netherlands) since 2019. This means that in the event of an outbreak, appropriate measures can be taken. The Boehringer Ingelheim and Royal GD PCR Project Equine monitored 11 viruses and bacteria found in horses with respiratory symptoms in the Netherlands, while promoting the use of SEIN by vets. A good example of working together for better equine health. The Boehringer Ingelheim and GD PCR Project Equine screened for viruses and bacteria being present in horses with acute upper respiratory tract diseases in the Netherlands. Sample col-
Table of GD results for 11 viruses and bacteria Pathogenc
Single infections
Mixed infections
Total
EIV equine influenza virus
0% (0/122)
2% (3/122)
2% 3/122)
EHV-1 equine herpesvirus
0 (0/122)
1% (1/122)
1% (1/122)
EHV-4 equine herpesvirus
0 (0/122)
7% (9/122)
7% (9/122)
EHV-2 equine herpesvirus
5% (6/122)
48% (59/122)
53% (65/122)
EHV-5 equine herpesvirus
10% (12/122)
52% (63/122)
62% (75/122)
EAV equine arteritis virus
0% (0/122)
0% (0/122)
0% (0/122)
ERAV equine rhinitis virus A
0% (0/122)
0% (0/122)
0% (0/122)
ERBV equine rhinitis virus B
0% (0/122)
5% (6/122)
5% (6/122)
Streptococcus equi subsp. equi
2% (3/122)
10% (12/122)
12% (15/122)
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus
4% (5/122)
35% (43/122)
39% (48/122)
Rhodococcus equi
0% (0/17)
0% (0/17)
0% (0/17)
Respiratory pathogens detected by PCR performed on nasal swabs of 122 horses with acute respiratory disease in the Netherlands (2019/2020)
8 - Update, April 2021
lection equipment was provided to Dutch equine vets for this purpose. Two nasal swabs were taken by equine veterinarians from horses presenting with onset of fever and respiratory symptoms and these were sent to both GD and Boehringer Ingelheim. PCR tests were then subsequently performed to identify which pathogens were present in the sample. These included six PCR tests familiar to GD for pathogens such as influenza, strangles and rhinopneumonitis. Five new tests were set up by the Projects Laboratory specifically for this project. The samples received were tested for a total of eleven different viruses and bacteria. SEIN The project has given insights in which viruses and bacteria are prevalent among Dutch horses, and some of these results have also been shared via SEIN. SEIN is an initiative of the KNMvD (Royal Dutch Veterinary Association), Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and GD. Equine veterinarians use the platform SEIN to share positive test results in case of equine infectious disease outbreaks among the participants of SEIN, thus obtaining high quality insight into identified outbreaks in the Netherlands. These results are shared anonymously in order to stimulate the horses‘ owner willingness to share data and, since location is very important to contain the spread of an outbreak, only the first two digits of the area code are revealed. As of now, strangles, rhinopneumonitis and influenza are being monitored in SEIN but other equine diseases may be added in the future. With the PCR Project Equine and acceleration of the use of SEIN, an important step has been taken towards further improving the surveillance of equine infectious diseases in the Netherlands for the support of veterinarians and to the benefit of the health of the horse population. INTERESTED IN SETTING UP A COLLABORATION WITH GD? SUPPORT@GDANIMALHEALTH.COM
