Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 and 4
(EHV-1 and EHV-4) RealPCR™ Tests

New weapons in the fight against infectious diseases

Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) RealPCR™ Tests are sensitive tests that use real-time PCR technology to deliver speed and accuracy in detecting the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 DNA.
IDEXX Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 and 4 RealPCR Test

Equine Herpesvirus Type 1

Numerous outbreaks of EHV-1 have hit the equine industry, resulting in great loss.

EHV-1, a virus often found latent in normal horses, can present as respiratory disease or neurologic disease, or cause abortions. Once in a population of horses, the virus is spread quickly and can cause devastating results.

The IDEXX EHV-1 RealPCR™ Test helps you confidently:

  • Diagnose horses exhibiting clinical signs consistent with EHV-1 disease
  • Diagnose horses exposed to confirmed EHV-1 cases
  • Isolate infected or exposed horses from other susceptible horses in a timely manner
  • Identify EHV-1 strains containing a mutation that is highly associated with neurologic clinical signs

Equine Herpesvirus Type 4

Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4; equine rhinopneumonitis virus) is a health risk to equine populations worldwide. Disease severity depends on multiple factors and may be latent in normal horses. And because clinical signs are similar to other respiratory diseases, it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis from clinical presentation alone.

The IDEXX EHV-4 RealPCR™ Test identifies:

  • EHV-4 in horses presenting with respiratory clinical signs
  • Horses that have been exposed to confirmed EHV-4 cases

PCR methods help distinguish between EHV-4, EHV-1 and EHV-1 neuropathogenic strains

Horses presenting with respiratory disease may have a dual infection with both EHV-1 and EHV-4. With the EHV-4 and EHV-1 RealPCR™ Tests, an equine practitioner can quickly distinguish between EHV-4, EHV-1, and the EHV-1 neuropathogenic mutant strain, to manage disease and prevent the spread of the virus to other horses.

Turnaround times

The EHV-1 and EHV-4 RealPCR Tests are performed daily, Monday–Saturday.

  • Results are available within 24 hours of sample receipt.
  • Results for specimens received on Saturday are available the following Monday.

Sample collection guidelines

Recommended specimens are whole blood and/or nasal swabs from both nostrils.*

  • Whole blood: at least 7 mL in a 10 mL purple-top tube.
  • Nasal swabs: Dacron swabs moistened with <0.5 mL Ringer’s solution/ buffered saline (not water) in an empty sterile red-top tube. Do not use swabs with wooden shafts or cotton ends.
  • Ship within 24 hours of collection. If necessary, store at 4°C, but do not freeze.
*
Nasal swabs are used to detect animals shedding the virus or that were recently exposed to a confirmed case. A whole blood sample is recommended from a symptomatic animal to detect viremia. Submission of both sample types is ideal. Each sample will be considered as a separate submission.

IDEXX RealPCR™ Tests—Definite answers through accurate, fast real-time PCR

With IDEXX RealPCR tests, you can count on:

  • The latest innovation in PCR technology, with the virtual elimination of false positives.
  • Fast answers, so you can work through your list of differential diagnoses faster.

PCR testing is a service performed pursuant to an agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.