Detection of bovine herpesvirus type 4 antibodies and bovine lymphotropic herpesvirus in New Zealand dairy cows
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-03, 11:51authored byMelvin de Boer, Scott McDougall, Tao Zheng, Bryce BuddleBryce Buddle
AIM: To detect the presence of bovine herpesvirus (BoHV) type 4 in New Zealand dairy cows with clinical metritis.
METHODS: Serum samples taken from 92 dairy cows with clinical metritis, each from a different farm, were tested for the presence of antibodies against BoHV-4 using a commercially available, indirect ELISA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 10 BoHV-4 seropositive cows, and PBMC were examined by a pan-herpesvirus nested PCR to detect herpesvirus. PCR products were sequenced directly and a proportion of the PCR products were cloned and sequenced to identify the virus present.
RESULTS: Antibodies to BoHV-4 were detected in 23/92 (25%) serum samples. The pan-herpesvirus PCR was positive in 8/10 PBMC samples. Cloning and sequencing identified that all of the eight PCR-positive PBMC contained bovine lymphotropic herpesvirus (BLHV); no BoHV-4 DNA was detected.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the finding of the presence of apparent antibodies to BoHV-4, and BLHV DNA in New Zealand dairy cows affected by metritis.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bovine herpesvirus type 4 and BLHV are reported to have the potential to cause reproduction failure in cows. This is the first report of apparent BoHV-4 antibodies, and BLHV in New Zealand. The importance and epidemiology of these viruses in cattle inNewZealand requires further investigation.
de Boer, M. W., Zheng, T., Buddle, B. M., & McDougall, S. (2014). Detection of bovine herpesvirus type 4 antibodies and bovine lymphotropic herpesvirus in New Zealand dairy cows. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 62(6), 351-355. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2014.933683