Conventional and marked BHV-1 vaccines in Germany: a brief review

Since 1997 infections of cattle with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) are regulated by the German government with obligatory measures. Eradication of the virus is based on two different concepts: German federal states with a low BHV-1-seroprevalence comply with a selection concept, that provides deletion of BHV-1-positive cattle and only exceptional vaccination. States with a high BHV-1-prevalence attempt to eradicate the virus using the marker concept. The marker concept is based on the vaccination with glycoprotein E (gE)-deleted marker vaccines and the accompanying serological differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals. This review deals with both, conventional and marked BHV-1 vaccines, that are commercially available in Germany. Efficacy and safety of different inactivated vaccines and modified live vaccines have been evaluated in detail in several international experimental studies and field trials. Results of these studies are briefly reviewed and discussed in this article.