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Diagnosis

Virus may be recovered by culture on equine monolayers, using samples from nasal swabs, leucocytes, or foetal liver/lung/ thymus/spleen. Frozen sections of foetal tissues and fluorescent immunostaining are also routinely used.

A nested PCR for the envelope glycoproteins in nasal swab has been developed and is more sensitive than virus isolation.

Control

Both inactivated (formalin) and attenuated vaccines are available in the U.K. While it is maintained by some practitioners that regular use (6 monthly or more frequently) reduces respiratory disease, neither vaccine will protect against experimental challenge with abortogenic virus. Jockey Club regulations stipulate no movement for at least 1 month after the last abortion in an outbreak. Movement must then only be to the original breeding stables.