''Equid gammaherpesvirus 2'', formerly ''Equine herpesvirus 2'' (EHV-2), is a

virus A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Since Dmitri Ivanovsk ...

of the family ''

Herpesviridae ''Herpesviridae'' is a large family of DNA viruses that cause infections and certain diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word ''ἕρπει� ...

'', originally known as ''equine cytomegalovirus'' due to its slow replication in tissue culture. However, complete sequencing of the EHV-2 genome has demonstrated that it is a member of the subfamily ''

Gammaherpesvirinae ''Gammaherpesvirinae'' is a subfamily of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'' and in the family ''Herpesviridae''. Viruses in ''Gammaherpesvirinae'' are distinguished by reproducing at a more variable rate than other subfamilies of ''Herpesvir ...

'', in the genus ''

Percavirus ''Percavirus'' is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Gammaherpesvirinae''. Mammals serve as natural hosts. There are six species in this genus. Diseases associated with this gen ...

''. It has an uncertain role in respiratory disease in

horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million yea ...

s, but EHV-2 has been isolated from cases exhibiting symptoms such as coughing,

conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The ...

, and swollen

submaxillary The paired submandibular glands (historically known as submaxillary glands) are major salivary glands located beneath the floor of the mouth. They each weigh about 15 grams and contribute some 60–67% of unstimulated saliva secretion; on stimula ...

and

parotid The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the ma ...

lymph nodes.

References

Gammaherpesvirinae Horse diseases Animal viral diseases {{Veterinary-med-stub