Bovine herpesvirus type 2 (BoHV2)

Test code: S0216 - Ultrasensitive detection of bovine herpesvirus 2 by real time PCR

Bovine herpesvirus type 2 (BoHV-2) is also known as bovine mammillitis virus. It belongs to subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Simplexvirus.

Infection of cows with this virus may result in an acute, ulcerative condition of teat and udder skin referred to as bovine ulcerative mammillitis. This often results in reduced milk production and increased susceptibility to bacterial mastitis. However, not all infected cows show acute symptoms; infected animals may develop clinical symptoms ranging from relatively mild, small plaques of edema to severe ulceration. Early signs vary among infected animals, but the lesions often begin as one or more thickened, edematous plaques of varying size on the skin of one or more teats. Vesicles develop and may rapidly rupture, leaving a raw, ulcerated area that becomes covered with a dark-colored scab. The scabs tend to crack and bleed, especially if milking is attempted. Because the infection causes teats to be painful, infected cows often resist milking, leading to development of mastitis.

The greatest incidence is often seen in first-lactation cows, but previously unexposed cows of any age are susceptible. Severe lesions may take several weeks to heal. Infected animals may become latent carriers, and re-activation of the virus may occur.

Viral isolation has been used to diagnose this infection, but culture detection is not definitive. Serological detection requires time for infected animals to develop a detectable immune response. However, molecular detection by PCR is rapid, sensitive and specific, and is a good alternative to traditional methods (Campos et al., 2014).

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Identify BoHV2 virus carriers
• Help ensure that herds are free of BoHV2
• Early prevention of spread of the virus among animals
• Minimize human exposure to the virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from animals

References:
Campos, F.S., Franco, A.C., Oliveira, M.T., Firpo, R., Strelczuk, G., Fontoura, F.E., Kulmann, M.I., Maidana, S., Romera, S.A., Spilki, F.R., Silva, A.D., Hübner, S.O. and Roehe, P.M. (2014)  Detection of bovine herpesvirus 2 and bovine herpesvirus 4 DNA in trigeminal ganglia of naturally infected cattle by polymerase chain reaction. Vet. Microbiol. 171:182-188.

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or lesion swab or scab, or 0.2 ml milk, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected