Hide and seek: Diagnosing equine viral diseases using molecular biology techniques

The horse, and the complexly diverse and international equine industry of which it is the foundation, are under constant threat from a variety of viral diseases (Table 1), which not only has a significant impact on animal welfare throughout the world, but also maintains a persistent economic burden on the industry. In the 21st century, where international transportation of horses for competition, sale and breeding is commonplace, and in a rapidly changing environment that is breaking down barriers for the geographical confinement of infectious agents, the role of the equine veterinary practitioner in the control of viral disease is also changing. The identification and diagnosis of any infectious disease must not only serve as the basis for appropriate therapeutic intervention at the individual or group level, but must also be considered an imperative step for appropriate disease control, quarantine and prevention, and for national disease surveillance. In order to achieve these measures, however, practitioners must have at their disposal readily accessible, reliable and affordable diagnostic tests that can provide results within a time frame that is both compliant with the demands of daily practice and allows prompt and appropriate intervention