TY - JOUR
T1 - Epidemiology and risk factors of equine parvovirus-hepatitis, hepacivirus, Pegivirus caballi, and Pegivirus equi in horses from the Southern United States
AU - Barua, Subarna
AU - Tarannum, Asfiha
AU - Huber, Laura
AU - Easterwood, Leslie A.
AU - Velayudhan, Binu
AU - Da Silveira, Bibiana Petri
AU - Enyetornye, Ben
AU - Cohen, Noah D.
AU - Dimitrov, Kiril M.
AU - Schwarz, Erika R.
AU - Awtrey, Alex
AU - Groover, Erin
AU - Barua, Suchita
AU - Naskou, Maria
AU - Wang, Chengming
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors.
PY - 2026/1
Y1 - 2026/1
N2 - Over the past decade, newly identified equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses, such as equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV), have generated considerable scientific and clinical interest. Pegiviruses, including Pegivirus ( P. ) caballi and P. equi , are also recognized and known to frequently cause persistent infections. However, comprehensive epidemiological data in the United States remain limited. This study analyzed 1195 equine serum samples collected from university-owned horses and diagnostic submissions across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Quantitative PCR assays were conducted to detect EqPV-H, EqHV, P. caballi , and P. equi . EqPV-H was the most prevalent virus, detected in 19.3 % (231/1195) of samples, significantly higher than EqHV at 5.6 % (67/1195) and pegiviruses ( P. caballi and P. equi combined) at 1.8 % (22/1195). EqPV-H-positive horses also exhibited significantly higher viral loads compared to animals positive for EqHV or pegiviruses. Demographic analysis revealed that EqPV-H-positive horses were significantly older, and male horses had 1.62 times the odds of infection compared to females. Breed-specific associations were also identified: Tennessee Walking Horses had higher odds of EqPV-H positivity (OR = 2.46), while Quarter Horses (OR = 4.16) and Thoroughbreds (OR = 9.64) showed increased odds of testing positive for EqHV. Viral sequences identified in this study were similar to the reported ones in the United States and other regions. This largest molecular survey highlights the widespread distribution of EqPV-H and EqHV in horses in the United States and underscores the importance of continued surveillance, particularly in high-risk breeds and settings. The data provides a foundation for developing preventive strategies and understanding of the epidemiology and potential clinical impact of these important equine viruses.
AB - Over the past decade, newly identified equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses, such as equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV), have generated considerable scientific and clinical interest. Pegiviruses, including Pegivirus ( P. ) caballi and P. equi , are also recognized and known to frequently cause persistent infections. However, comprehensive epidemiological data in the United States remain limited. This study analyzed 1195 equine serum samples collected from university-owned horses and diagnostic submissions across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Quantitative PCR assays were conducted to detect EqPV-H, EqHV, P. caballi , and P. equi . EqPV-H was the most prevalent virus, detected in 19.3 % (231/1195) of samples, significantly higher than EqHV at 5.6 % (67/1195) and pegiviruses ( P. caballi and P. equi combined) at 1.8 % (22/1195). EqPV-H-positive horses also exhibited significantly higher viral loads compared to animals positive for EqHV or pegiviruses. Demographic analysis revealed that EqPV-H-positive horses were significantly older, and male horses had 1.62 times the odds of infection compared to females. Breed-specific associations were also identified: Tennessee Walking Horses had higher odds of EqPV-H positivity (OR = 2.46), while Quarter Horses (OR = 4.16) and Thoroughbreds (OR = 9.64) showed increased odds of testing positive for EqHV. Viral sequences identified in this study were similar to the reported ones in the United States and other regions. This largest molecular survey highlights the widespread distribution of EqPV-H and EqHV in horses in the United States and underscores the importance of continued surveillance, particularly in high-risk breeds and settings. The data provides a foundation for developing preventive strategies and understanding of the epidemiology and potential clinical impact of these important equine viruses.
KW - Equine hepacivirus
KW - Equine parvovirus-hepatitis
KW - Molecular survey
KW - Pegivirus caballi
KW - Pegivirus equi
KW - Risk factors
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024323063
U2 - 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110831
DO - 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110831
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105024323063
SN - 0378-1135
VL - 312
JO - Veterinary Microbiology
JF - Veterinary Microbiology
M1 - 110831
ER -
