INFECTION FOR EQUINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE 1 AND TYPE 4: REVIEW AND UPDATE

Abstract

Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) are pathogens that are widely distributed in equine populations around the world, being considered among the most important agents due to the devastating consequences they produce to the equine industry. Diseases caused by these viruses are commonly referred to as EquineRhinoneumonitis (ERN) as both have the capacity to produce respiratory disease, however, EHV-1 can also cause miscarriages in late gestation, neonatal death or neurological dysfunction; on the other hand, EHV-4 can rarely cause miscarriages.After primary infection with EHV-1 or EHV-4, they tend to enter into a viral latency state in which the infected animals are apparently healthy and can subsequently be reactivated in the event of stress. These mechanisms allow the survival and propagation of these viruses to other susceptible horses.EHV-1 and EHV-4 are enzootic in many countries of the world, especially in which that have large populations of horses, so it is essential to make a timely and accurate diagnosis, as well as to know the strategies of prevention and control that exist at the global and national levels. The present literature review aims to provide updated information regarding infection by EHV-1 and HEV-4 and to inform the importance of prevention of infection by these pathogens