First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco
This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco. A total of 154 equids (114 horses, 9 donkeys, and 31 mules) were sampled, with nasal swabs and tissue samples subjected to multiplex real-time PCR for the detecti...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Zineb El Brini Ann Cullinane Marie Garvey Ouafaa Fassi Fihri Siham Fellahi Farid Amraoui Chafiqa Loutfi Ghizlane Sebbar Romain Paillot Mohammed Piro |
| author_facet | Zineb El Brini Ann Cullinane Marie Garvey Ouafaa Fassi Fihri Siham Fellahi Farid Amraoui Chafiqa Loutfi Ghizlane Sebbar Romain Paillot Mohammed Piro |
| author_sort | Zineb El Brini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco. A total of 154 equids (114 horses, 9 donkeys, and 31 mules) were sampled, with nasal swabs and tissue samples subjected to multiplex real-time PCR for the detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4. Additionally, an isolate from the tissue of an aborted horse fetus was included in the analysis. A subset of EHV-positive samples underwent virus isolation followed by whole-genome sequencing. PCR assays revealed that 42 samples (27%) tested positive for EHV-4, while only 3 samples (1.94%) were positive for EHV-1. Attempts to isolate the virus from EHV-4-positive samples were unsuccessful. However, virus isolation was successful in an EHV-1-positive nasopharyngeal sample from a donkey. Phylogenetic and molecular characterization reclassified the EHV-1 isolated from the donkey as an EHV-8. Meanwhile, the EHV-1 isolated from the aborted fetal tissue was classified as a clade 1 EHV-1 virus. This study is the first to report the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco, providing valuable insights into the distribution and genetic diversity of these viruses in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b75dfc74aa840308fe4160b29fb4cdd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b75dfc74aa840308fe4160b29fb4cdd2025-01-10T13:14:04ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115110210.3390/ani15010102First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in MoroccoZineb El Brini0Ann Cullinane1Marie Garvey2Ouafaa Fassi Fihri3Siham Fellahi4Farid Amraoui5Chafiqa Loutfi6Ghizlane Sebbar7Romain Paillot8Mohammed Piro9Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, MoroccoVirology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, IrelandVirology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, IrelandDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Contagious Diseases, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, MoroccoDepartment of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, MoroccoSociety of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, MoroccoSociety of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, MoroccoSociety of Veterinary Pharmaceutical and Biological Productions (Biopharma), Rabat 10000, MoroccoWrittle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RR, UKDepartment of Medicine, Surgery, and Reproduction, Agronomy and Veterinary Institute Hassan II, Rabat 10000, MoroccoThis study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco. A total of 154 equids (114 horses, 9 donkeys, and 31 mules) were sampled, with nasal swabs and tissue samples subjected to multiplex real-time PCR for the detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4. Additionally, an isolate from the tissue of an aborted horse fetus was included in the analysis. A subset of EHV-positive samples underwent virus isolation followed by whole-genome sequencing. PCR assays revealed that 42 samples (27%) tested positive for EHV-4, while only 3 samples (1.94%) were positive for EHV-1. Attempts to isolate the virus from EHV-4-positive samples were unsuccessful. However, virus isolation was successful in an EHV-1-positive nasopharyngeal sample from a donkey. Phylogenetic and molecular characterization reclassified the EHV-1 isolated from the donkey as an EHV-8. Meanwhile, the EHV-1 isolated from the aborted fetal tissue was classified as a clade 1 EHV-1 virus. This study is the first to report the molecular prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in equid populations in Morocco, providing valuable insights into the distribution and genetic diversity of these viruses in the region.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/102equine herpesvirus 1equine herpesvirus 4equine herpesvirus 8multiplex PCRisolationmolecular characterization |
| spellingShingle | Zineb El Brini Ann Cullinane Marie Garvey Ouafaa Fassi Fihri Siham Fellahi Farid Amraoui Chafiqa Loutfi Ghizlane Sebbar Romain Paillot Mohammed Piro First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco Animals equine herpesvirus 1 equine herpesvirus 4 equine herpesvirus 8 multiplex PCR isolation molecular characterization |
| title | First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco |
| title_full | First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco |
| title_fullStr | First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco |
| title_full_unstemmed | First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco |
| title_short | First Molecular and Phylogenetic Characterization of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) in Morocco |
| title_sort | first molecular and phylogenetic characterization of equine herpesvirus 1 ehv 1 and equine herpesvirus 4 ehv 4 in morocco |
| topic | equine herpesvirus 1 equine herpesvirus 4 equine herpesvirus 8 multiplex PCR isolation molecular characterization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/102 |
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