Ovine herpesvirus 2 structural proteins in epithelial cells and M-cells of the appendix in rabbits with malignant catarrhal fever.

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), caused by Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), is a usually fatal disease of various ruminants and swine. A system for propagation of OvHV-2 in vitro has not yet been identified, although persistently infected cells have been derived from diseased animals and used to establish an animal model in rabbits. OvHV-2 structural proteins have not been detected in diseased animals and the pathogenesis of OvHV-2 infection is poorly understood.

An immunisation strategy for the protection of cattle against alcelaphine herpesvirus-1-induced malignant catarrhal fever.

The aim of this study was to stimulate immunity in the oro-nasal-pharyngeal region of cattle to protect them from alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1)-induced malignant catarrhal fever. Attenuated C500 strain AlHV-1 was used along with Freund's adjuvant intramuscularly (IM) in the upper neck region to immunise cattle. Virulent C500 strain AlHV-1 was used for intranasal challenge.

Phylogeny and antigenic relationships of three cervid herpesviruses.

Elk herpesvirus (ElkHV) from North American elk (wapiti, Cervus elaphus nelsoni) is a recently identified alphaherpesvirus related to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). In this study, we determined its relationship with European cervid herpesviruses: cervid herpesvirus-1 (CerHV-1) from red deer and rangiferine herpesvirus (RanHV) from reindeer. For phylogenetic analysis, genes for the gC and gD proteins of these viruses were sequenced.

Prevalence of rotavirus antibodies in a non-human primate colony.

A total of 51 monkeys maintained in a colony at the Institute of Primate Research (Kenya) and housed in doors with natural lighting in a group cage were used in this study. Monkeys belonging to 3 species were selected at random and blood samples collected. The serum samples were screened for presence of neutralizing antibodies (VTN) to rhesus rotavirus (RRV) by virus neutralization assay.