Seroprevalence of equine viral arteritis in paulista mesoregions between 2007 and 2008

Abstract

This study investigated the occurrence of equine arteritis virus antibodies using neutralization test in 1,400 horses from Campinas and macro metropolitan paulista mesoregions located at Sao Paulo State, between 2007 and 2008. Eighty (5.7%) samples showed antibodies to virus (titers from 4 to 4,096). Among the 42 cities, 15 (35.7%) presented at least one seropositive animal to equine arteritis virus. Of the 238 farms analyzed 41 showed at least one seropositive animal. The occurrence was higher in sport horses like jumping horses, Quarter horses and was similar for female and male. The rate of seropositive was higher in animals older than 24 months of age. These results suggest the virus circulation among horse population in studied farms, and the need for continuing epidemiological surveillance studies.