Detection of Bovine herpesvirus 4 DNA in aborted bovine fetuses |
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| Authors: | Zolt n Deim, Levente Szeredi, L szl Egyed |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Mammalian Pathology, Central Veterinary Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1581 P.O. Box 18, Budapest, Hungary. |
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| Abstract: | The presence of Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) was investigated by several methods in 24 aborted bovine fetuses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ DNA hybridization proved the presence of BoHV-4 DNA in 7 (29%) of the fetuses. The BoHV-4 genome was detected in the cytoplasm of splenic lymphocytes and monocytes, and sometimes in renal tubular epithelial cells or hepatic Kupffer cells, in all 7 PCR-positive fetuses. However, BoHV-4-specific monoclonal antibody failed to detect viral antigen in the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. No bacterial pathogens were found in the tissues of the BoHV-4-positive fetuses. Fungi were detected in 1 sample, and antibody to bovine viral diarrhea virus was detected in another. These results indicate that BoHV-4 could play a role in reproductive disorders of cattle, including abortion. |
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