Introduction

Classification

Taxonomy

• Order: herpesvirales.
• Family: herpesviridae.
• Subfamily: alphaherpesvirinae.
• Genus: varicellovirus.
• Species: bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1).

Active Forms

Clinical Effects

Epidemiology

Habitat

• Pathogen of cattle.

Pathological effects

• Incubation period is 2-20 days.
• IBR manifests in two forms; respiratory and genital.
• For subtype 1.1:
  • viral replication occurs in the mucus membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
  • It can also enter the nerve cells to establish latent infection.
  • If pregnant cows become viremic they can abort the calf Abortion and stillbirths.
• For subtype 1.2:
  • virus replication occurs in the mucous membranes of the vagina or prepuce.
  • The virus can also enter the sacral ganglia which results in latent infection.
  • Large ulcers can arise from tissue necrosis.
  • Endometritis is possible from secondary bacterial infection Uterine infections: overview.
  • Abortion is unlikely to occur due to infection with subtype 1.2.

Control

Control via animal

• Vaccination. Respiratory vaccines
• Cattle demonstrating clinical signs should be quarantined/slaughtered.
• Avoid purchase of antibody positive cattle.
• Test and slaughter/removal of seropositive cattle.

Control via chemotherapies

• Anti-inflammatories Anti-inflammatory drugs: overview.
• Antibiotics (for secondary bacterial infections).

Control via environment

• Adopt appropriate biosecurity Biosecurity measures.

Vaccination

• A range of inactivated, subunit and live vaccines are available.
• Vaccination can prevent severity of disease but does not protect against latent infection.
• Live vaccination may cause abortion and therefore should not be given to pregnant cattle.

Diagnosis

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Raaperi K, Orro T & Viltrop A (2014) Epidemiology and control of bovine herpesvirus 1 infection in Europe. Vet J 201 (3), 249-56 PubMed.
• Graham D A (2013) Bovine herpes virus-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.
• Mahajan V, Banga H S, Deka D, Filia G & Gupta A (2013) Comparison of diagnostic tests for diagnosis of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in natural cases of bovine abortion. J Comp Pathol 149 (4), 391-401 VetMedResource.
• Nandi S, Kumar M, Manohar M & Chauhan R S (2009) Bovine herpes virus infections in cattle. Anim Health Res Rev 10 (1), 85-98 PubMed.

Organisation(s)

• CHeCS: www.checs.co.uk.
• OIE: www.oie.int.