Genetic characterisation of bovine herpesvirus 1 in New Zealand

Authors: Horner GW, O'Keefe JS, Wang J
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 54, Issue 2, pp 61-66, Apr 2006
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, DNA/RNA, Disease surveillance, Genetics, Viral, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Molecular biology/medicine
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: AIM: To genotype bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) isolates from cattle in New Zealand.
METHODS: Twenty-eight BHV-1 isolates were collected from clinical samples from cattle over 28 years. They were characterised and compared using restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.
RESULTS: Twenty-four isolates were classified as bovine herpesvirus subtype 1.2b (BHV-1.2b) by REA. The remaining four isolates were distinct from the others in REA profiles of one of the major enzymes (HindIII) by which the classification was made. However, these four isolates were closely related to others when the REA profiles of other restriction enzymes were studied, and therefore were regarded as divergent strains of BHV- 1.2b. All BHV-1 isolates were detectable by PCR, and sequence analysis of selected PCR products did not indicate any significant differences between isolates.
CONCLUSION: BHV-1.2b appears to be the predominant strain of BHV-1 in cattle in New Zealand. There was no evidence that more virulent strains of BHV-1, e.g. subtype 1.1 and BHV type 5, are, or have been, present in New Zealand. Genetic variations exist among these BHV-1.2b isolates.
KEY WORDS: Bovine herpesvirus type 1, BHV-1, bovine herpesvirus subtype 1.2b, BHV-1.2b, restriction endonuclease analysis, REA, polymerase chain reaction, PCR

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