Genetic characterisation of bovine herpesvirus 1 in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To genotype bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) isolates from cattle in New Zealand.


METHODS
Twenty-eight BHV-1 isolates were collected from clinical samples from cattle over 28 years. They were characterised and compared using restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.


RESULTS
Twenty-four isolates were classified as bovine herpesvirus subtype 1.2b (BHV-1.2b) by REA. The remaining four isolates were distinct from the others in REA profiles of one of the major enzymes (HindIII) by which the classification was made. However, these four isolates were closely related to others when the REA profiles of other restriction enzymes were studied, and therefore were regarded as divergent strains of BHV- 1.2b. All BHV-1 isolates were detectable by PCR, and sequence analysis of selected PCR products did not indicate any significant differences between isolates.


CONCLUSIONS
BHV-1.2b appears to be the predominant strain of BHV-1 in cattle in New Zealand. There was no evidence that more virulent strains of BHV-1, e.g. subtype 1.1 and BHV type 5, are, or have been, present in New Zealand. Genetic variations exist among these BHV-1.2b isolates.
Wang
J
J
Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, Biosecurity New Zealand, PO Box 40742, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. jianning.wang@maf.govt.nz
Horner
G W
GW
O'Keefe
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D007242:Herpesvirus 1, Bovine / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007241:Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009520:New Zealand; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D015183:Restriction Mapping / Q000662:veterinary; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000662:veterinary
D004279:DNA, Viral