title: Prevalence of bovid herpesvirus-4 and its antibody in cattle in Minnesota.
abstract: Serologic analyses and virus isolation studies were carried out to determine the role of bovid herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) in infections in cattle, principally those of the reproductive tract. Serologic analyses were performed, using an indirect fluorescent antibody test on thoracic fluid specimens from aborted fetuses and on sera from 3 sources of adult cattle. Virus isolation was attempted from field cases of abortion, early embryo death, and postpartum vulvovaginitis/metritis, using uterine discharge and buffy coat preparations obtained from cows and tissues obtained from aborted fetuses. Of 420 fetal thoracic fluid specimens examined, 5 were positive for BHV-4 antibodies. Seventeen percent of adult cattle from 2 sources ie, clinically normal herds and abattoir cattle, were seropositive for BHV-4 antibodies. Cattle from a third source, 4 herds with high incidence of reproductive tract disorders, had a seroprevalence rate between 36 and 88%. Two isolates of BHV-4 were also obtained from this group. The overall incidence of BHV-4 antibodies in clinically normal cattle was higher than previously recognized, with relatively higher prevalence in herds having reproductive problems (chi 2 = 156.5, P less than 0.005). At least 10% of the BHV-4 antibody-positive sera did not have neutralizing antibody against bovine viral diarrhea virus and/or bovid herpesvirus-1, both important causes of bovine reproductive tract disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naeem
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Werdin
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral