Comparative aspects of equine herpesviruses

Abstract

Three antigenically distinct types of equine herpesvirus (EHV) currently are recognized. The terminology used for these 3 viruses is as follows: EHV 1 (equine rhinopneumonitis or equine abortion virus), EHV 2 (equine 'cytomegaloviruses') and EHV 3 (equine coital exanthema (ECE) virus). EHV 1 is a major cause of equine respiratory disease and abortion. Viruses isolated in many parts of the world are antigenically very similar to viruses originally isolated some three decades ago from aborted fetuses in Kentucky. Abortion has not been recognized in all countries where the virus has been isolated. Evidence that subtypes (exclusively respiratory and abortigenic) may exist within type 1 is inconc..