Ruminant alphaherpesviruses related to bovine herpesvirus 1

Abstract

-Herpesviruses have mainly co-evolved with their hosts for millions of years. Consequently, different related host species may have been infected by various genetically related herpesviruses. Illustrating this concept, several ruminant alphaherpesviruses have been shown to form a cluster of viruses closely related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1): namely bovine herpesvirus 5, bubaline herpesvirus 1, caprine herpesvirus 1, cervid herpesviruses 1 and 2 and elk herpesvirus 1. These viruses share common antigenic properties and the serological relationships between them can be considered as a threat to BoHV-1 eradication programmes. BoHV-1 is a herpesvirus responsible for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, which is a disease of major economic concern. In this article, the genetic properties of these ruminant alphaherpesviruses are reviewed on a comparative basis and the issue of interspecific recombination is assessed. The pathogenesis of these infections is described with emphasis on the host range and crossing of the host species barrier. Indeed, the non bovine ruminant species susceptible to these ruminant alphaherpesviruses may be potential BoHV-1 reservoirs. The differential diagnosis of these related infections is also discussed. In addition, available epidemiological data are used to assess the potential of cross-infection in ruminant populations. A better knowledge of these ruminant alphaherpesvirus infections is essential to successfully control infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 infection and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis

“…Successful BoHV-1 infections were experimentally obtained in sheep and goats. Red deer exhibit a limited susceptibility to BoHV-1 [197]. Otherwise the experimental host range of BoHV-1 is rather narrow.…”

Epidemiology and Emergence of Schmallenberg Virus Part 1: Origin, Transmission and Differential Diagnosis

“…BoHV-1 is a member of the genus Varicellovirus, which belongs to the Herpesviridae family, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae [50,64]. BHV-1 shares antigenic and genetic close relationships with other ruminant alphaherpesviruses [64]: BoHV-5, caprine herpesvirus-1, cervid herpesvirus-1 (red deer), cervid herpesvirus-2 (reindeer), bubaline herpesvirus-1 and elk herpesvirus-1 [65]. The virus has been associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms, including rhinotracheitis, abortion, infertility and occasionally encephalitis in calves [50,66].…”

“…However, the clinical symptoms may be mild and localized or include severe generalized disease, leading eventually to death [67]. Infection of cattle by bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) can lead to upper respiratory tract disorders (rhinitis, tracheitis, mucopurulent nasal discharge and conjunctivitis) [68], conjunctivitis, genital disorders (endometritis, poor conception rates, pustularvulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis) and immune suppression [65]. The main sources of infection to susceptible animals are those with a latent BHV-1 and the contact with nasal secretions, coughed-up droplets, genital secretions, semen, genital fluids and tissues of infected animals [69].…”

Infections à herpèsvirus chez les ruminants et les éléphants

“…Il est unique parmi les Herpesviridae, car il renferme sept espèces virales, infectant dans la plupart des cas des espèces de ruminants différentes, étroitement apparentées entre elles. Ce sont, avec le virus prototype du groupe, le BoHV1, agent de la rhinotrachéite infectieuse bovine, le BoHV5, les herpèsvirus de la chèvre, du cerf (Cervus elaphus), du renne (Rangifer tarandus), du wapiti (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) et du buffle d'eau (Bubalus bubalis) (Muylkens et al 2007 ;Thiry et al 2006Thiry et al , 2008b (tableau 1).…”