Inflammatory Response and Electrocardiographic Examination in Horses Vaccinated against Equine Herpesvirus (Ehv-1)

Simple Summary Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus that infects horses, causing respiratory, neurologic, and abortion syndromes in pregnant mares. Vaccination induces an immune response that reduces the risk of infection, the severity of clinical signs, and viral excretion. This study aimed to evaluate and describe the clinical and electrocardiographic findings, and changes in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and inflammatory biomarkers (serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) occurring after vaccination against herpesvirus in healthy horses. This study aimed to evaluate possible abnormalities in electrocardiographic findings, and changes in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and inflammatory biomarkers (serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) after inactivated herpesvirus vaccine administration. Eighteen healthy horses were included. All animals were vaccinated with Pneumoequine(R) (Merial, France) according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer. They were evaluated 1 day before the first dose of vaccination (D0), and 7 days (D1) and 14 days (D2) afterwards. At D0, D1, and D2, a blood sample was taken for the evaluation of SAA, cTnI, and CRP. An electrocardiographic examination was also performed. The data obtained suggested the possible involvement of the myocardium following vaccination against herpesvirus 1, mostly related to an inflammatory response.