Bovine herpesvirus 1: molecular and antigenic characteristics of variant viruses isolated from calves with neurological disease.

Abstract

This report presents data showing that several virus isolates recovered in Argentina, mainly from calves with non-purulent meningo-encephalitis, represent a hitherto unrecognized antigenic variant of BHV-1. The following experimental approaches have been adopted to demonstrate both the unique features among and the relatedness with BHV-1 of these isolates: i) crossed serum neutralization test with rabbit immune sera, ii) analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of radio-labeled virus induced polypeptides and glycoproteins, iii) discriminating reactivity of a panel of monoclonal antibodies which recognize known virus types, and iv) restriction endonuclease analysis of viral DNA. Another strain of BHV-1, which exhibits a specific neuropathogenic potential [Hall et al., Austral. Vet. J. 42, 229-237 (1966)] shares all major features with the viral strains originating from Argentina. Our results imply that antigenic variants of BHV-1 exist and that they can be accurately and easily identified and differentiated by the available methods.