Detection of equine herpesvirus-1 in nasal swabs of horses by quantitative real-time PCR.
Authors: Perkins G A, Goodman L B, Dubovi E J, Kim S G, Osterrieder N
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
# Editorial Summary Early detection of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is critical for implementing rapid biosecurity measures, yet traditional virus isolation methods are slow and labour-intensive, making real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) an attractive alternative for diagnostic screening of nasal swabs. Perkins and colleagues developed and validated a qPCR assay with standardised normalisation protocols and PCR inhibitor controls, then compared its diagnostic performance directly against conventional virus isolation in naturally and experimentally infected horses. The qPCR method proved superior in sensitivity and speed, reliably detecting and quantifying viral loads in nasal secretions whilst accounting for sample quality variations that can otherwise produce false negatives. For practitioners managing respiratory disease outbreaks or screening at-risk populations, this work supports the adoption of qPCR as a more dependable first-line diagnostic tool than traditional culture methods, enabling faster risk stratification and herd management decisions. The study's attention to technical standardisation—particularly controlling for inhibitors and normalising samples—offers practical guidance for laboratories implementing qPCR protocols to ensure consistent, interpretable results across diverse clinical samples.
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Practical Takeaways
- •qPCR testing of nasal swabs allows faster EHV-1 diagnosis compared to traditional virus isolation, enabling quicker isolation and treatment decisions
- •When submitting samples for qPCR testing, ensure proper swab collection and handling to minimize PCR inhibitors that can interfere with test accuracy
- •Consider qPCR as a superior early detection tool for respiratory EHV-1 outbreaks in multi-horse facilities to implement biosecurity measures promptly
Key Findings
- •Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) on nasal swabs enables early detection of EHV-1 infections in horses
- •Direct comparison between qPCR and traditional virus isolation requires standardized normalization methods and PCR inhibitor controls
- •Nasal swab qPCR provides a sensitive method for identifying inhalation-transmitted EHV-1 in clinical samples