Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ACTA VETERINARIA HUNGARICA, cilt.73, sa.1, ss.1-17, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Equine herpesvirus-1 and -4 are
contagious viruses causing respiratory disease and reproductive losses in
horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in
eight Turkish studs using RT-PCR analysis of nasal secretions, uterine fluids,
and aborted foal tissues. Deep nasal swabs were collected from 443 horses showing
acute-onset fever and/or clinical signs of respiratory disease. Additionally,
uterine swabs and tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, thymus, kidney, heart)
were obtained from 152 abortion cases. Among symptomatic horses, EHV-1 DNA was
found in 2 cases (0.45%), while EHV-4 DNA was detected in 67 (15.1%). One horse
(0.23%) was positive for both viruses. From abortion-related samples, EHV-1 DNA
was identified in 2 cases (1.32%), while no EHV-4 DNA was found. In 4915
asymptomatic horses, 13 (0.26%) carried EHV-4; none were positive for EHV-1.
Overall, active infection rates were 0.67% for EHV-1 and 11.26% for EHV-4. The
low prevalence observed in this study suggests minimal active circulation of
EHV-1 and EHV-4 in this large, semi-enclosed and well-managed equine population
maintained under strict biosecurity and extensive vaccination programs.
Although these findings do not reflect national or regional prevalence, they
provide valuable epidemiological insight into the effectiveness of consistent
vaccination, quarantine measures, and PCR-based surveillance in limiting
herpesvirus circulation. Overall, the results contribute to improved
understanding, surveillance, and control strategies for equine herpesviruses in
Türkiye.