Equine Viral Arteritis

,(Epizootic cellulitis-pinkeye, Equine typhoid

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an acute,
contagious, viral disease of equids caused by
equine arteritis virus (EAV).

Typical cases are characterized by fever,

depression, anorexia, leukopenia, dependent
edema (especially of the lower hind extremities,
scrotum, and prepuce in the stallion), 
Etiology

equine arteritis virus (EAV).

genus Arterivirus,
family Arteriviridae
 Transmission
EVA is primarily a respiratory disease.
Particles from acutely infected horses’ nasal
discharges are inhaled, and this close contact
facilitates the spread of the virus.

can also be transmitted venereally

Pathogenesis
After respiratory exposure, EAV invades the
upper and lower respiratory tract and
multiplies in nasopharyngeal epithelium and
tonsillar tissue and in bronchial and alveolar
macrophages.
Infected cells of the monocytic and T
lymphocytes transport the virus to the regional
lymph nodes, where it undergoes a further
cycle of replication before being released into
the bloodstream.
By 6–8 days, the virus localizes in the
vascular endothelium and myocytes of the
smaller blood vessels, especially the
arterioles, and causes a vasculitis.

Itcan also be found in the epithelium of

certain tissue adrenals, seminiferous
tubules, thyroid, and liver.
. Theselesions give rise to edema and
hemorrhage,

Based on experimental infection of pregnant

mares cause , abortion is believed to result from
a myometritis that gives rise to impairment of
the placental circulation and death of the fetus
Clinical signs
Exposure to EAV may result in clinical or
asymptomatic infection, depending on the
relative pathogenicity of the virus strain
involved, viral dose, age and physical
condition of the animal

incubation period of 3–14 days

fever lasting 2–9 days, depression, anorexia, limb
edema (especially of the lower hindlimbs), and
scrotum and prepuce.

Less frequently signs include conjunctivitis,

lacrimation and photophobia, rhinitis and nasal
discharge, edema of the ventral body wall
(including the mammary glands of mares),

stiffness
of gait, dyspnea, petechiation of mucous
membranes, diarrhea, icterus, and ataxia.
Stallions with EVA may undergo a period
of short-term subfertility

Abortion in pregnant mare

Diagnosis
Virus isolation can be attempted from
swabs of the nose, throat, or eyes; semen,
placentas, or fetal tissue; and blood
samples
PCR
(ELISA)
 Treatment and control
Treatment While there is no specific
treatment for EVA

Antipyretic and Antibiotics, which may

decrease the risk of secondary bacterial
infection
Only one commercial vaccine, a
modified-live virus product.