Identification and genetic characterization of hepacivirus and pegivirus in commercial equine serum products in China.
Authors: Lu Gang, Huang Ji, Yang Qiliang, Xu Haibin, Wu Peixin, Fu Cheng, Li Shoujun
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Three recently identified flaviviruses—equine hepacivirus (EqHV), equine pegivirus (EPgV) and Theiler's disease-associated virus (TDAV)—circulate in horse populations worldwide, yet their presence in commercial blood products had not been systematically investigated in China, raising concerns for biosecurity and potential contamination of research materials. Researchers screened equine sera intended for cell culture work and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) products from Chinese commercial suppliers using nested PCR targeting the viral NS3 gene, detecting EqHV, EPgV or TDAV RNA in four serum samples but finding all PMSG products negative. Genetic characterisation revealed the positive serum samples contained multiple viral variants, representing the first documented evidence of these three viruses in commercially available equine sera in China and the first confirmation of TDAV's presence in the country. The findings underscore a significant biosecurity gap: equine blood products used in research and potentially in therapeutic applications may unknowingly introduce these viruses into naive populations or compromise experimental integrity. Practitioners and facilities sourcing equine serum or blood products should be aware of this contamination risk and consider requesting viral screening protocols from suppliers, particularly when materials are destined for immunocompromised animals or high-health herds.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Equine serum products used in laboratories and research facilities may be contaminated with novel viruses; consider viral screening protocols when sourcing commercial equine biologics
- •Contaminated serum products could confound research results and potentially compromise biosecurity if used in clinical or breeding settings
- •PMSG products appear safer than general equine sera for these three viruses, but continued surveillance of blood products is warranted
Key Findings
- •Four commercial equine serum samples tested positive for EqHV, EPgV, or TDAV RNA by nested PCR targeting the NS3 gene
- •Multiple viral variants of EqHV, EPgV, and TDAV were detected in positive serum samples
- •All pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) products tested negative for the three viruses
- •This is the first confirmed detection of TDAV in China and the first identification of these viruses in commercially available equine sera in China