Comparative molecular epidemiological investigation on different bovine herpes viruses.

Eight Bulgarian bovine herpes viruses, two Hungarian herpes viruses 1A, 3A, calves isolate named Mramor, buffalo isolate 723 and two referents BHV 1 strains were investigated by restrictase fragment pattern analysis. Migration profile of viral DNA by using different restrictase enzymes Hpa I, BamH I and Hind III were compared. Clearly differences among two Hungarian strains, calves isolate Mramor, buffalo isolate 723 and 8 Bulgarian and two referents BHV 1 strain was observed. The strain Sartze was determined as a genital type BHV 1, whereas Ozet, Tch.voda, Slivnitza, B. Budinov, Ptcelarovo, Vrana and Podgumer as a respiratory type. Hungarian strains 1A, 3A, calves isolate Mramor and buffalo isolate 723 had similar migration profile as swine herpes viruses. Hybridisation between the K 22 fragment and 8 bovine herpes viruses after Southern blotting were observed. That is evidence for genetic relation of these strains. Such hybridisation with Hungarian 1A, 3A, Mramor and buffaloes 723 strains were not observed. This fact allowed us to conclude that these strains are genetically different from BHV 1.