Epona Respiratory Strepto + Panel Lavage

Epona EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus Lavage

Strangles is a disease specific to equids, caused mainly by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, which belongs to the Streptococcaceae family. Depending on the immune status of the infected horse and on the medical and health management of the disease, it may occur in different forms:

Symptoms

Main clinical signs

Equine respiratory diseases, grouped under the name acute respiratory syndrome, may cause a complex and non-specific set of clinical signs such as pyrexia, serous nasal discharge or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) belongs to the Herpesviridae family and causes equine rhinopneumonitis, together with herpesvirus 4. The disease may present as a respiratory form (nasal discharge, cough), an abortive form (ataxia, gait abnormalities, fever, incontinence) or a neurological form (paresis, incoordination, paralysis) that may lead to death. The virus can also establish latent infection, during which the horse shows no clinical signs. As this disease is transmissible between horses, isolation and identification of affected animals are essential to limit its spread within an equine facility.

Equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) belongs to the genus Percavirus within the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae. This virus is responsible for individual respiratory disorders with limited reported contagion. The virus is ubiquitous, meaning it is present or detected in a very large number of animals. Primary infection usually occurs during the first weeks of life, and reinfections may occur throughout the horse’s life. EHV-2 causes mild respiratory signs, accompanied by limited nasal discharge, keratoconjunctivitis, pharyngitis, cough and/or apathy without marked pyrexia. It appears to play a role in fatigue and poor performance in horses.

Equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) belongs to the Herpesviridae family and causes equine rhinopneumonitis, together with herpesvirus 1. In infected horses showing clinical signs, severity is influenced by age, physical condition, type of infection (primary, secondary or linked to reactivation of latent virus), immune status and strain virulence. Virus spread between horses is rapid and occurs through nasal inhalation or direct contact.

Equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) belongs to the genus Percavirus within the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae. This virus is responsible for individual respiratory disorders with limited reported contagion. The virus is ubiquitous, meaning it is present or detected in a very large number of animals. Primary infection usually occurs during the first weeks of life, and reinfections may occur throughout the horse’s life. EHV-5 is rarely associated with acute respiratory syndromes of the upper or intermediate airways. It has been shown to be responsible for multinodular pulmonary fibrosis syndrome, characterised by intermittent fever, weight loss, cough and respiratory distress. The medium-term prognosis is poor.

The equine influenza virus is a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and the Influenza genus, type A. The disease has a short incubation period (2 to 5 days) and can affect most horses in a stable within a few hours. The most common clinical signs are high fever, depression, anorexia, serous nasal discharge and cough, which may be occasional or paroxysmal and painful. In adult horses mortality is very low; when it occurs, it is most often due to secondary bacterial infections. Young foals, however, may die from pneumonia complications.

Clinical forms

• Immune-mediated form: a rare complication of strangles causing purpura haemorrhagica (subcutaneous oedema, petechiae, ecchymoses on the mucous membranes, etc.).

Pathogens detected

Detected panel

Epona EHV-1, EHV-4, EIV, Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus Lavage: Detection and differentiation of EHV-1, EHV-4, equine influenza virus, Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus in lavage samples

Advantages

Key benefits

Extended Respiratory Panel Lavage tests are next-generation molecular tests enabling simple, reliable and rapid detection and differentiation of the pathogen so that affected animals can be isolated and treated even before the first clinical signs appear.

Unlike conventional PCR reactions, Epona tests are performed in just a few steps on a portable, easy-to-use reading system. Results can therefore be obtained in under 40 minutes directly in your clinic.

Uses and benefits

• Classic or “catarrhal” form: pyrexia, depression, congested mucous membranes, serous then mucopurulent nasal discharge, and swelling of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes.
• Chronic or complicated form: formation of chondroids in the guttural pouches, persistence of these chondroids for several years leading to asymptomatic carriers, and possible rupture of the retropharyngeal lymph node.
• Metastatic form: a rare form occurring at the same time as or after a classic form, consisting of metastatic abscesses causing weight loss, colic, neurological disorders and respiratory distress, with possible septic complications. This form may have a mortality rate of over 60%.

Indications

Recommended use

Tests are intended for in vitro diagnostic use by veterinarians in accordance with the user guides, manuals and technical specifications.