Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in three horses in Australia.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Spelta, C W et al.
- Affiliation:
- Townsville Vet Clinic · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Three Thoroughbred broodmares in Australia were diagnosed with a serious lung disease called equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF), which is linked to a virus known as equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5). The diagnosis was confirmed through tests that examined lung tissue and detected the virus's DNA. Unfortunately, two of the horses died; one did not respond to treatment with a medication called acyclovir, while the other survived without any antiviral or steroid treatment. This report is significant as it is the first documentation of EMPF in Australia and helps to expand our understanding of this disease.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a recently described form of interstitial pneumonia associated with the presence of equine herpesvirus type 5 (EHV-5). Since 2007, several case reports from America, Europe and the United Kingdom have further characterised the clinical presentation and laboratory findings of this disease. CASE REPORTS: Three Thoroughbred broodmares were diagnosed with EMPF. Diagnosis was based on lung histopathology and positive identification of EHV-5 using PCR DNA amplification. There was multiple organ involvement in all three cases, including identification of EHV-5 in hepatic tissue in one case. Two of the three horses died. Treatment with acyclovir was unsuccessful in one horse and one horse survived without antiviral or corticosteroid treatment. CONCLUSION: This case series is, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of EMPF in Australia and adds to the clinical description of the disease.
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