Work

Detection of equine parvovirus-hepatitis and efficacy of governmental regulation for equine biologics purity

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In 2018, a new virus, named equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H), was discovered in a biologic product that had been administered to horses that subsequently developed clinical signs of equine serum hepatitis (Theiler disease). Further correlation of the virus with the disease sparked federal requirements that all equine biologics be free of EqPV-H. The initial quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) test for EqPV-H has proved to be sensitive to co-extracted PCR inhibitors in template nucleic acids, causing false-negative results. We investigated the use of digital PCR (dPCR) as a more robust test. Examination of 227 equine biologic product lots available for purchase both before and after regulatory implementation using both detection methods indicated that dPCR is a more reliable platform. Nevertheless, use of the qPCR method for product screening had reduced the fraction of serials with EqPV-H detected from 39.6% prior to regulation to 6.8% after regulatory implementation. Adoption of dPCR testing is an opportunity to further decrease the prevalence of EqPV-H in equine biologics.

Source: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation

DOI: 10.1177/10406387241292343

Authors: Alexandra J. Scupham, Christopher Tong

Institutions: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture

Language: English

Topic: Animal Virus Infections Studies

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture