Date Available
12-7-2011
Year of Publication
2007
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Document Type
Thesis
College
Agriculture
Department
Veterinary Science
First Advisor
Dr. George P. Allen
Abstract
Equine herpesvirus type-1(EHV-1) is a complex virus known for inducing various forms of disease in horses. In recent years, the number of cases of neurological disease caused by this virus has increased. While there are a number of possible sources for this recent surge, this project set out to determine if a genotypic shift in the latent population of the virus in favor of the neuropathogenic form of EHV-1 is the basis for the recent increase in frequency of EHV-1 neurologic disease. To ascertain if such a shift has in fact occurred, 450 EHV-1 isolates were obtained from fetal tissues resulting from single, sporadic cases of abortion in Thoroughbred broodmares in central Kentucky. Furthermore, the isolates utilized were from different decades (1951-2006) to determine if the genotypic shift was time-related. The isolates were propagated in cell culture, purified and the viral DNA isolated. Real-time allelic discrimination PCR analysis was performed on the DNA samples to identify the genotype of EHV-1. Statistical analysis of the PCR data indicates that the latent mutant population does appear to be increasing. Therefore, the recent increase in the number of outbreaks of EHV-1 neurological disease will most likely continue unless measures are devised to curtail further spread of the pathogen.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Kathryn Laura, "TRACING THE ORIGIN OF THE RECENT RISE IN NEUROPATHOGENIC EHV-1" (2007). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 496.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/496
