First molecular detection of Equine Herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3) in Chile.
Abstract
Equine coital rash (ECE) is a highly contagious benign disease that
induces lesions on the external genitals, and it is caused by the equine
herpesvirus type 3 (EHV-3). The disease is globally distributed and
affects only equids. However, its presence in Chile has not been
documented from a genetic point of view. Here, we performed PCR
screenings for EHV-3 in genital lesions of external genitals in four
horses belonging to a riding station at Bulnes, Ñuble Region, Chile. We
sequenced a fragment of the glycoprotein g ( gG) gene of this
alphaherpesvirus, from three horses which signology compatible
with ECE. The sequences were identical between them and 99.7% similar
to a haplotype of EHV-3 detected in Brazil. A phylogenetic analysis
pointed that our consensus sequence forms a clade with homologue
isolates obtained from Japan, Russia and Brazil. Our results show the
presence of EHV-3 for the first time in horses with ECE in Chile.