Equine herpesvirus type V (EHV-5)
Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of equine herpesvirus type V by
real time polymerase chain reaction
herpesvirus type 2 (EHV-2) and type 5 (EHV-5) were recently
re-classified as members of the gamma herpesviridiae family
(Browning and Studder, 1987; Telford et al., 1993). Unlike
EHV-2, which is widely spread in horse populations worldwide,
EHV-5 has so far only been isolated in a few countries,
including Switzerland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. In
Australia, EHV-5 was originally discovered in horses suffering
from upper respiratory disease (Browning and Studdert, 1987). A
difference in the prevalence of EHV-2 and EHV-5 was also
observed in Australia where 31 % of the tested horses were
positive to EHV-2 while only 16 % were positive to EHV-5.
shown that EHV-5 infection is very common in young horses and
EHV-5 infections persist in young horses for at least several
months. However, EHV-5 is not specifically associated with
respiratory disease. In contrast, EHV-2 is less commonly
isolated from young horses and its detection is associated with
the occurrence of mild respiratory disease.
separation of EHV-2 and EHV-5 is very difficult because of the
high degree of similarity in their protein sequences. Reliable
differentiation of EHV-5 and EHV-2 relies on molecular detection
methods. PCR is the most sensitive and specific technique for
detection of each of these viruses.
Help confirm the disease causing agent
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of EHV-5 infection
Help ensure that horse populations are free of EHV-5
Early prevention of spread of this virus
Minimize personnel exposure to this virus
Safety monitoring of biological products that derive
Browning, G.F. and Studdert, M.J. (1987) Genomic heterogeneity
of equine betaherpesviruses. J. Gen. Virol. 68: 1441-1447.
Telford, E.A.R., Studdert, M.J., Agius, C.D., Watson, M.S., Aird,
H.C. and Davison, A.J. (1993) Equine herpesviruses 2 and 5 are
gamma-herpesviruses. Virology 195: 492-499.
Nasopharyngeal swab, or 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top)
or ACD (yellow top) tube, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during
very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship
with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are
specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain
frozen in transit. See shipping
instructions for more information.
2 business days
Qualitative real time PCR