Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic equine hepacivirus infection in an adult gelding with severe hepatopathy.
- Journal:
- Veterinary medicine and science
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Tegtmeyer, Birthe et al.
- Affiliation:
- Institute for Experimental Virology · Germany
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A gelding, which is an adult male horse, was found to have a serious liver condition called hepatopathy and was also chronically infected with equine hepacivirus (EqHV), a virus related to the hepatitis C virus in humans. Tests showed that the virus was present in the horse's liver, and further analysis confirmed that EqHV was the most common virus found in the samples taken. While EqHV is usually linked to mild infections in horses, this case suggests it might be involved in more severe liver disease. However, it's still unclear if the virus directly causes the liver issues or if it plays a role alongside other factors. The outcome of the treatment for this horse is not specified in the study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) in equids represents the closest homologue to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infecting humans. A majority of HCV infected patients develop a chronic course of infection leading to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. However, in horses mostly transient mild subclinical infections are reported for EqHV to date. OBJECTIVES: EqHV can be involved in chronic liver diseases of horses. METHODS: Biochemical parameters in serum samples were measured. Viral load was determined using qPCR. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of serum was performed. Liver tissue was stained with haematoxylin and eosin and analysed for viral RNA with fluorescent in situ-hybridization. RESULTS: The horse showed symptoms of severe hepatopathy and was chronically infected with EqHV. Viral RNA was detectable in the liver during disease. To rule out other infectious agents NGS was performed and showed the highest abundance for EqHV. The identified virus sequence was similar to other circulating equine hepaciviruses. CONCLUSIONS: EqHV can be associated with liver disease in horses. Whether it causes the disease or contributes in a multifactorial manner needs further investigation.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31267690/