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Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis
Synonym(s): bovine herpesvirus herpes virus IBR BoHV-1 vesicular venereal disease coital vesicular exanthema contagious
Introduction
- Cause:
- Bovine herpes virus 1 BHV-1.
- Exposure is predominantly via coitus but mechanical transmission is also possible.
- Signs:
- Often subclinical.
- May include pyrexia, milk drop, increased micturition, lesions on the vaginal mucosa, on the body of the penis, localized edema and purulent discharge.
- Diagnosis: based on clinical signs, history of exposure and laboratory findings.
- Treatment: supportive
- Prognosis: the likelihood of a complete resolution of the infection cannot be assured.
Distribution
- BoHV-1 is found worldwide though a small number of countries haves successfully eradicated BoHV-1; such as Austria, Belgium and Switzerland Bovine herpes virus overview.
- There are three recognized strains, with 1.2b associated with infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) and infectious balanoposthitis (IBP). This differs from those associated with IBR Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis: the disease Bovine herpes virus: type 1 (IBR) and bovine abortion.
Cost considerations
- Vaccination.
- Culling of seropositive (not marker vaccine titers) animals.
- National and international trade implications.
- Reduced fertility in affected females and a temporary reluctance to breed in males. As the condition resolves normal libido would be expected to return.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- The virus is worldwide but measures to control infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) have seen marked reduction in the incidence of IPV/IBP.
- The increased use of artificial insemination Artificial insemination and mandatory screening of semen for virus has led to reduced incidence.
- The development of robust screening methods and vaccination programs have enhanced IPV / IBP control.
Predisposing factors
- Poor biosecurity Biosecurity.
- Use of natural service.
- Stress leading to viral recrudescence, such as parturition, metabolic disease and transport.
Pathophysiology
- Incubation period is 1-3 days.
- The vaginal, vulval (or penile mucosa, in affected males) becomes hyperemic with focal hemorrhages.
- Focal lesions replace the hemorrhages, comprising of 2-3 mm diameter pock like lesions which are raised and friable.
- The virus is epitheliotropic, causing ballooning and degeneration of epithelial cells.
- The cells undergo necrosis with concurrent neutrophil infiltration. This coincides with the development of a purulent discharge.
- Infection starts to resolve by 8 days.
- The virus may become latent in the sacral ganglia and as such the animal is at risk from recrudescence.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed Papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Hostnik et al (2021) Review of Infections With Bovine Herpesvirus1 in Slovenia. Vet Sci 8 Link
- OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2019) Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis. Chapter 11.8. Website: www.oie.int.
- Akestedt J, Jonsson M & Mork T (2017) The surveillance programme for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and infectious pustular Vulvovaginitis (IPV) in Norway 2016. Norway Veterinary Institute.
- Fulton R W et al (2015) Bovine Herpesvirus -1: Evaluation of genetic diversity of subtypes derived from field strains of varied clinical syndromes and their relationship to vaccine strains. Vaccine 33 (4), 549-558 PubMed.
- Graham D A (2013) Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) in cattle - a review with emphasis on reproductive impacts and the emergence of infection in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Ir Vet J 66 (1), 15 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Jubb, Kennedy & Palmer (2007) Volume 3: Female Genital System and Male Genital System. 5th Edn. Ed: Grant Maxie M. Saunders, UK.