Respiratory viruses affecting health and performance in equine athletes

Abstract

Some respiratory viruses can affect equine athletes, with acute respiratory clinical signs leading to a reduced ability to perform. The direct association between equine respiratory viruses and athletic performance is unclear in subclinically affected horses. This narrative review summarises the current evidence on respiratory viruses most commonly detected in performing horses, including equine herpesviruses, equine influenza virus, equine rhinitis viruses, equine arteritis virus, and equine adenovirus 1. It covers their virology, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and control measures, with a focus on their impact on performance. Molecular diagnostics on nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred method for detecting equine respiratory viruses nowadays. Studies highlighted in this review reveal a high prevalence of equine herpesviruses —particularly gammaherpesviruses— in the airways of both healthy and diseased horses. In contrast, equine rhinitis A virus, equine arteritis virus, and equine adenovirus 1 are the least common viruses. Transportation contributes to spreading equine infectious diseases across countries and can temporarily weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of respiratory viral infections and reactivation of latent equine herpesviruses. Moreover, respiratory viral infections are frequently observed in young horses starting their training. Although there is limited evidence on the specific impact of equine respiratory viruses on performance, this review emphasises that vaccination and care management are essential strategies for limiting the spread and severity of outbreaks in sport horses.