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    Abstract:
    Equine influenza is a contagious viral disease that affects all members of the family Equidae, i.e., horses, donkeys and mules. The authors describe the pattern of equine influenza outbreaks in a number of states of India from July 2008 to June 2009. The disease was first reported in June 2008 in Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) and spread to ten other states within a year. All outbreaks of equine influenza in the various states were confirmed by laboratory investigations (virus isolation and/or serological confirmation based on haemagglutination inhibition [HI] assays of paired samples) before declaring them as equine influenza virus-affected state(s). The virus (H3N8) was reported from various locations in the country including Katra, Mysore (Karnataka), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Gopeshwar and Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) and was isolated in 9- to 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. The virus was confirmed as H3N8 by HI assays with standard serum and amplification of full-length haemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples (n = 4 740) of equines from 13 states in India screened by HI revealed 1074 (22.65%) samples as being positive for antibodies to equine influenza virus (H3N8).
    Keywords:
    Equine influenza
    Embryonated
    Equidae
    Highly purified neuraminidase from influenza virus prevents embryonated eggs from infection by Lee-B influenza virus. The degree of prevention afforded is equal to that of neuraminidases from Vibrio cholerae and from Clostridium perfringens when assayed at the same enzyme activity. The preventive effect is much lower against PR-8 virus. The results support the concept that the intact "receptor" containing sialic acid is required for the binding and infection of cells by influenza viruses.
    Embryonated
    Clostridium perfringens
    H5N1 genetic structure
    Sialidase
    During the last few years our knowledge of the Sclerostome parasites of the horse has been greatly augmented, the nematodes of the donkey have not however received attention since 1901, the date of publication of Looss' famous monograph on the Sclerostomes of the Equidae.
    Equidae
    Equus asinus
    Citations (17)