Detection of ovine herpesvirus 2 major capsid gene transcripts as an indicator of virus replication in shedding sheep and clinically affected animals.
The aim of this study was to identify tissues where ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) replication occurs in vivo. A reverse-transcriptase PCR targeting the OvHV-2 major capsid protein gene (ORF 25) was developed and the presence of transcripts used as an indicator of virus replication in naturally infected sheep, and cattle and bison with sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF). ORF 25 transcripts were detected in 18 of 60 (30%) turbinate, trachea, and lung samples from five sheep experiencing a shedding episode; 12 of the 18 positive samples were turbinates. ORF 25 transcripts were not detected in any other tissue from the shedding sheep (n=55). In contrast, 86 of 102 (84%) samples from clinically affected bovine and bison tissues, including brain, kidney, intestine, and bladder, had ORF 25 transcripts. The data strongly suggest that OvHV-2 replication is localized to the respiratory tract of shedding sheep, predominantly in the turbinate, while it occurs in virtually all tissues of cattle and bison with SA-MCF. These findings represent an important initial step in understanding viral pathogenesis, and in potentially establishing a system for OvHV-2 propagation in vitro.
Animal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA. cwcunha@vetmed.wsu.edu
Cristina W
CW
Cunha
Donald L
DL
Traul
Naomi S
NS
Taus
J Lindsay
JL
Oaks
Donal
D
O'Toole
Christine M
CM
Davitt
Hong
H
Li
D000825:Animal Structures / Q000821:virology; D000818:Animals; D016164:Bison; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018144:Rhadinovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000821:virology; D014779:Virus Replication; D017201:Virus Shedding
D036022:Capsid Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral