Antigenic comparisons and serologic survey of equine adenoviruses.

Abstract

SUMMARY Six equine adenoviruses (EAdV) isolated in the United States, Germany, and Australia were compared by serum-neutralization (sn) and hemagglutination-inhibition (hi) tests, using rabbit antiserums prepared against 2 of the viruses (EAdV-M and EAdV-Cal). Antiserum to a 7th virus (EAdV-Col) was also included in chese tests. The 7 EAdV were closely related. Of 631 equine serums tested, 73.1% had EAdV hi antibody. From the data, EAdV seem to be distributed worldwide with a high frequency of antibody in all breeds and all adult horses. However, in some groups of horses, as many as 50% were without antibody and, presumably, exposure at 1 year of age.