Understanding EHV-1 and EHV-4: From Viral Structure to Epidemiological Impact

Saïd Derbal*

Several herpesviruses are capable of infecting equines, and these pathogens all have common structural, genetic, and biological characteristics. Notably, they exhibit similar viral organisation, undergo replication in distinct stages, and possess the ability to establish persistent infections. In horses, equine herpesvirus (EHV) transmission and excretion can occur by various routes, including direct contact with respiratory secretions, environmental contamination, or vertical transmission in certain cases. Protection against these infections relies on a complex immune response: humoral immunity helps to limit viral dissemination, while cellular immunity plays a vital role in controlling the replication and clearance of the virus. A central aspect of herpesvirus biology is their ability to establish latency in the host organism and reactivate in response to various stress factors, which has a significant impact on their epidemiology and the dynamics of infectious foci. This review provides a detailed synthesis of the taxonomy, general structure, replication cycle, transmission and excretion mechanisms, immune responses, and latency and reactivation processes of EHV types 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), the two major agents responsible for respiratory, reproductive, and neurological diseases in equines.

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Published on: Nov 18, 2025 Pages: 7-15

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/gjcv.000016
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