(EIA) affects Equidae and is caused
by an equid-specific Lentivirus, equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). (EIA)
is a bloodborne infection and virus can be found free in the plasma or intracellular.
Infection with (EIAV) appears to persist for life and blood-feeding insects initiate
most infections by the mechanical transfer of infective blood between horses in
close proximity. Because there are no effective and safe vaccines, many countries
have established control programs based on serologic testing. The agar gel
immunodiffusion (AGID, Coggins) test is internationally accepted. Antigen
sources include cell culture-propagated virus and recombinant proteins. (ELISA)
tests for detection of antibodies are accepted in many countries and can be performed
in minutes, compared to days for (AGID) tests.
