Serological evidence of bovine herpesvirus 1-related virus infection in the white-tailed deer population on Anticosti Island, Quebec.
High white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population densities and the occurrence of harsh environmental conditions are present on Anticosti Island, located in the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence (Quebec, Canada). This island is the northernmost region of white-tailed deer distribution in northeastern North America. The aim of this work was to determine whether a herpesvirus serologically related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) may occur in a stressed white-tailed deer population. One hundred one deer sera were collected from apparently healthy animals during the hunting season from September to late November 1985. Fifty-three percent of tested deer were positive to the seroneutralization test using Colorado strain of BHV1 virus. Higher percentages of seropositivity were observed in animals of both sexes greater than 4-yr-old. Analysis of antibody titers in seropositive animals according to age suggests that BHV1-related viral infection is endemic in the Anticosti Island deer population. It is postulated that environmental stress may induce immunosuppression of certain infected and/or carrier animals in their population that shed virus for long periods of time.
Lamontagne
L
L
Department des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montreal, Canada.
Sadi
L
L
Joyal
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D003670:Deer; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007242:Herpesvirus 1, Bovine / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011792:Quebec
D000914:Antibodies, Viral