Balasuriya Udeni B R
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 108 Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY, 40546-0099, USA,
Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1161:393-402. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0758-8_34.
Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious disease of horses caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV) H3N8 subtype. EI is the most important respiratory virus infection of horses and can disrupt major equestrian events and cause significant economic losses to the equine industry worldwide. Influenza H3N8 virus spreads rapidly in susceptible horses and can result in very high morbidity within 24-48 h after exposure to the virus. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnosis of EI is critical for implementation of prevention and control measures to avoid the spread of EIV and to reduce the economic impact of the disease. The probe-based real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays targeting various EIV genes are reported to be highly sensitive and specific compared to the Directigen Flu A(®) test and virus isolation in embryonated hens' eggs. Recently, a TaqMan(®) probe-based insulated isothermal RT-PCR (iiRT-PCR) assay for the detection of EIV H3N8 subtype has been described. These molecular based diagnostic assays provide a fast and reliable means of EIV detection and disease surveillance.
马流感（EI）是一种由马流感病毒（EIV）H3N8亚型引起的马的高度传染性疾病。EI是马最重要的呼吸道病毒感染，可扰乱重大马术赛事，并给全球马产业造成重大经济损失。H3N8流感病毒在易感马匹中传播迅速，在接触病毒后24 - 48小时内可导致非常高的发病率。因此，快速准确地诊断EI对于实施预防和控制措施以避免EIV传播和减少该疾病的经济影响至关重要。据报道，与Directigen Flu A(®)检测和在鸡胚中进行病毒分离相比，针对各种EIV基因的基于探针的实时逆转录聚合酶链反应（rRT-PCR）检测具有高度的敏感性和特异性。最近，已经描述了一种用于检测EIV H3N8亚型的基于TaqMan(®)探针的绝缘等温RT-PCR（iiRT-PCR）检测方法。这些基于分子的诊断检测为EIV检测和疾病监测提供了快速可靠的手段。
