Chronic equine hepacivirus infection in an adult gelding with severe hepatopathy.

Abstract

Background: Equine hepacivirus (EqHV) in equids represents the closest homologue to hepatitis C virus(HCV) infecting humans. A majority of HCV infected patients develop a chronic course of infection leading toliver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure. However, in horses mostly transient mild subclinical infections arereported for EqHV to date. Objectives: EqHV can be involved in chronic liver diseases of horses. Methods:Biochemical parameters in serum samples were measured. Viral load was determined using qPCR. Next gener-ation sequencing (NGS) of serum was performed. Liver tissue was stained with haematoxylin and eosin andanalysed for viral RNA with fluorescentin situ-hybridization. Results: The horse showed symptoms of severehepatopathy and was chronically infected with EqHV. Viral RNA was detectable in the liver during disease.To rule out other infectious agents NGS was performed and showed the highest abundance for EqHV. Theidentified virus sequence was similar to other circulating equine hepaciviruses. Conclusions: EqHV can be asso-ciated with liver disease in horses. Whether it causes the disease or contributes in a multifactorial mannerneeds further investigation