Understanding Persistent Equine Herpesvirus Infections

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1) causes devastating health problems in horses worldwide, including respiratory disease, fetal loss, and neurological disorders. Studies have shown the horse's immune system has a hard time fighting off infection by the virus. Researchers suspect the problem originates with a subpopulation of white blood cells known as the monocytes. Monocytes are one of the first responders to viral invasion and help the body eliminate infectious organisms. Researchers will isolate two different types of monocytes in horse blood to study how different subpopulations of monocytes interact and respond to the virus. If researchers are able to identify a population of monocytes resistant to infection, these cells could be manipulated to help horses fight EHV1 infections more effectively.