Prevalence of bovine herpesvirus-4 infection in cats in Central Michigan.
The gammaherpesvirus bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) has been isolated from a wide variety of animals, including lions and domestic cats. Although BHV-4 antibodies have been detected in normal cats and cats with urinary disorders, the epidemiology and pathogenic role of BHV-4 in cats is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of BHV-4 antibodies and viral nucleic acid in a population of free-roaming cats. Plasma and peripheral blood leukocyte samples were collected from 52 male and 52 female free-roaming cats impounded at a regional animal control facility in Central Michigan. Plasma concentrations of BHV-4 antibodies were measured with an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA was isolated, and a 2-stage polymerase chain reaction with heminested primers delineating a conserved portion of the BHV-4 glycoprotein B gene homologue was used to amplify BHV-4-specific DNA sequences. BHV-4 antibodies were detected in 38 (73%) male and 23 (44%) female cats. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be male than female (odds ratio = 3.22; P = .007). Cell-associated viremia was detected in 17 (33%) male and 11 (21%) female cats. Of the 61 seropositive cats, 23 (38%) had a detectable viremia; only 5 (12%) seronegative cats had detectable viremia. Seropositive cats were significantly more likely to be viremic than seronegative cats (OR = 4.30: P = .009). Our results suggest that BHV-4 infection may be more widespread in certain cat populations than previously reported. Furthermore, many cats seropositive for BHV-4 antibodies have a concurrent cell-associated viremia.
Kruger
J M
JM
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing 48824-1314, USA. kruger@cvm.msu.edu
Venta
P J
PJ
Swenson
C L
CL
Syring
R
R
Gibbons-Burgener
S N
SN
Richter
M
M
Maes
R K
RK
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014766:Viremia / Q000662:veterinary
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral