What are the characteristics of an aborted fetus due to EHV-1 and EHV-4?

The characteristics of a fetus aborted due to equine herpesvirus types 1 (EHV-1) and 4 (EHV-4) typically present a distinct pathological appearance. When an abortion is caused by these viruses, the fetus is usually found freshly aborted with minimal autolysis. This occurs because EHV-1 and EHV-4 lead to sudden fetal death and, consequently, abortion without allowing sufficient time for the decomposition processes to advance significantly.

The presence of minimal autolysis indicates that the fetus died relatively recently before the abortion occurred. In cases caused by EHV, the virus can lead to placentitis and subsequent fetal death, often without prolonged exposure to environmental factors that would typically accelerate autolysis. Therefore, recognizing the characteristic state of a freshly aborted fetus is crucial in diagnosing the involvement of EHV-1 or EHV-4 as the underlying cause of the abortion.

In comparison, other options might describe different conditions related to fetal death from other etiologies or pathologies, such as severe infection or environmental factors leading to significant degeneration and autolysis following a longer post-abortion interval. However, the hallmark of EHV-related abortions is that the fetuses typically appear fresh with signs reflecting the acute nature