Myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpesvirus type 1 - a case report

Herpes virus infections are prevalent in the monocotyledonous population in most parts of the world, and among them, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is the most important cause of economic losses in the horse supplies. Two cases of horses suspected of myeloencephalopathy with symptoms of ataxia and paralysis of the hind limbs, respiratory symptoms and herpes virus lesions on the vagina were reported in one of the horse supplies of Shahrekord-Chaharmahal Bakhtiari. Blood samples were taken from infected horses to identify herpes virus type 1 in the samples, PCR method was used. Samples extracted bufly-coat were used for inoculation in allantoic cavity of embryonated eggs and RBK cell culture. After injecting the prepared samples into the embryonated egg and cell culture, it was found that the virus is able to grow in the egg embryo and causes the death of the embryo. When the brain tissue was examined macroscopically, the protein content of the cerebrospinal fluid was higher than normal. The grooves in the brain were also softened. Finally, the present study confirms the presence of equine herpes virus type 1, which is one of the main causes of myeloencephalopathy in horses in Shahrekord, Chaharmahal Bakhtiari province.