Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis: A Brief Overview

Abstract

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a disease of viral etiology, the causative agent of which is a member of the herpesvirus family - bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). The infection is widespread, and only some countries have been able to obtain the status of IBR -free territories. The main negative consequences affecting the country's economy are a decrease in the reproductive and productive properties of livestock, as well as the death of the animal. Clinical symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, abortion, conjunctivitis. Sources of infection are sick cattle, in whose secretions from mucous membranes, abortive materials, and exudates DNA of BHV-1 can be detected. The virion, upon penetration into target tissues, rapidly replicates, causing lysis of infected cells. The genome of the virus encodes about 70 proteins, some of which can prevent the detection of infected cells by T cells, and the spread of infection into a latent form completely complicates the situation with IBR. Due to the fact that the virus is characterized by reactivation when the animal is under stressful conditions, continuous circulation of the pathogen among the herd is inevitable. Various commercial diagnostic tests based on serology and genetic engineering methods are used to diagnose BHV-1. In order to prevent IBR, animals are immunized with vaccines that are used in the pharmaceutical market. At the same time, research is being conducted to create new biological products that can protect cattle from disease.