Human Adenovirus 36 Antibodies in Horses with Different Metabolic Statuses

This study investigated the presence of antibodies to human adenovirus type 36 (HAdV-D36) in horses with different metabolic statuses, including normal, overweight, and those diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). A total of 151 serum samples were tested, of which 47.6% were positive for anti-HAdV-D36 antibodies. Although the horses were confirmed to be susceptible to HAdV-D36 infection, there was no significant correlation between infection and blood glucose or cholesterol levels. However, the triglyceride levels showed significant differences—they were particularly elevated in the seropositive horses with EMS. These findings suggest that the virus may act by a different mechanism in horses than in other species, and highlight the need for further research to understand its role in horses.