Antiviral agents against equid alphaherpesviruses: Current status and perspectives.
Authors: Vissani María A, Thiry Etienne, Dal Pozzo Fabiana, Barrandeguy María
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Antiviral Agents Against Equid Alphaherpesviruses Equine herpesvirus infections remain a significant clinical and economic challenge despite widespread vaccination and biosecurity protocols, causing diverse presentations ranging from respiratory disease and neurological dysfunction to reproductive failure. This 2016 review synthesises evidence on antiviral therapeutics—particularly nucleoside analogues and foscarnet—which have demonstrated clinical efficacy in human herpesvirus management and hold considerable promise for equine application. In horses, antiviral medications could substantially reduce viral shedding, shorten convalescence periods, lower transmission risk between individuals, and meaningfully improve outcomes in cases of herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, a particularly severe neurological manifestation. The authors propose a multifaceted approach combining antivirals with existing preventive strategies (vaccines, immunomodulators, and biosecurity measures) as the most effective pathway to mitigating herpesvirus impact at both individual and population levels. For equine professionals managing herpesvirus cases, this review underscores the therapeutic gap currently limiting treatment options and supports the case for further clinical investigation into antiviral protocols—particularly relevant for performance horses where even modest reductions in clinical severity could significantly affect training schedules and competitive outcomes.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Antiviral medications could be integrated into treatment protocols for herpesvirus-infected horses to reduce viral shedding and improve recovery time
- •A multi-modal approach combining antivirals, vaccines, and immune modulators may offer the best protection against equid alphaherpesvirus infections
- •Consider antiviral therapy particularly for horses with neurological manifestations of herpesvirus infection to improve clinical outcomes
Key Findings
- •Antiviral drugs including nucleoside analogues and foscarnet are successfully used in human alphaherpesvirus infections and have potential application in equine medicine
- •Antiviral treatment in horses could reduce virus excretion, decrease contagion risk, and shorten convalescent time
- •Combined use of antiviral compounds with vaccines and immune modulators may improve clinical outcomes in equine herpesvirus infections
- •Despite preventive measures and vaccines, equid herpesvirus infections remain a major threat to equine health and the equine industry worldwide