Serologic and Virologic Investigation of BHV-1, BVDV and BHV-4 in Cattle with Metritis

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of Bovine Herpes virus-1 (BHV-1), Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), and Bovine Herpes virus-4 (BHV-4) involving metritis in the selected unvaccinated dairy cattle herds in Afyon province of Turkey by serologically and virologically methods. A total of 63 dairy cattle with metritis were sampled in order to investigate the presence of BHV-1, BVDV and BHV-4 infections. The sera samples were tested for presence of antibodies to BHV-1, BVDV and BHV-4 using a commercially available indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Leukocyte samples were tested for presence of BVDV viral genome using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for BHV-1 and BHV-4 viral genome. Detectable antibodies were detected in 6 (9.52%) of 63 against BVDV and 51 (80.95%) of 63 against BHV-4. Detectable antibodies were detected against BVDV from 6 (9.52%) of 63 sera samples and BHV-4 from 51 (80.95%) of 63. No antibodies against BHV-1 were detected as well as the results of RT-PCR for BVDV, and PCR for BHV-1 were all negative. Positive PCR results found BHV-4 genome from 8 (12.69%) of 63 leukocyte samples. Presence of BVDV and BHV-4 antibodies in unvaccinated animals indicates that these cattle had contracted infection. In conclusion, BHV-4 infections may play a direct or indirect role in causing bovine metritis; therefore their importance in the etiology of metritis and their economic impact needs further attention.