Prevalence of EHV2- and EHV5-DNA in horses showing keratoconjunctivitis or conjunctivitis – comparing test results obtained by cytology and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR)

Nachweishäufigkeit von Equinen Herpesviren 2 und 5 am Pferdeauge - Vergleich der Nachweismöglichkeiten mittels exfoliativer Zytologie und Polymerasekettenreaktion

Krüdewagen E M, Balzer H-J, Kellner S J

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20010504
Year: 2001
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Pages: 444-452

In 15 horses showing a keratoconjunctivitis or conjunctivitis and in 15 horses with no ocular disease ocular swabs were tested by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) for the presence of equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV2) and equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV5). Besides, a cytology of conjunctival or corneal scrapings was performed to search for intranuclear inclusion bodies. In the group of horses with ocular disease 3 (20%) were positive for EHV2, 4 (28,6%) for EHV5 and 4 (26,7%) showed intranuclear inclusion bodies. In the control group there were 1 (6,7%) positive for EHV2 and 5 (41,7%) positive for EHV5, while 2 (13,3%) showed intranuclear inclusion bodies. The frequency distribution between the two groups did not differ significantly. No correlation could be found between the results obtained with the nPCR and the presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies.