| Varicellovirus bovinealpha5 | |
|---|---|
Virus classification | |
| (unranked): | Virus |
| Realm: | Duplodnaviria |
| Kingdom: | Heunggongvirae |
| Phylum: | Peploviricota |
| Class: | Herviviricetes |
| Order: | Herpesvirales |
| Family: | Orthoherpesviridae |
| Genus: | Varicellovirus |
| Species: | Varicellovirus bovinealpha5 |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Bovine alphaherpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) is avirus species of the genusVaricellovirus and subfamilyAlphaherpesvirinae. It causesmeningoencephalitis andrespiratory disease in cattle and sheep. As with all herpes viruses latent infection can occur, with recrudescence at times of stressed and/or immunosuppression. Sites of latency include the CNS and mucosae of the nose and trachea. The disease has been documented in South America, the United States, Australia, Germany and Hungary. Caused by:BHV-5 – Bovine Encephalitis Virus – Bovine Encephalitis Herpesvirus
Disease is most common in calves up to ten months of age.
Signs of respiratory disease includetachycardia andtachypnea withpyrexia,dyspnea, mucoid nasal discharge,hypersalivation and abnormal lung sounds. Systemic signs such as lethargy andanorexia are seen.
Neurological signs are normally acute. These signs includeopisthotonus,hyperaesthesia, abnormal behaviour,ataxia,head pressing,blindness,proprioceptive deficits, coma andseizures. Sudden death occurs in neonates. Subacute disease almost always fatal, causing depression, anorexia, ataxia and a pronounced dyspnea.
Animals that recover from the infection or become infected followingBovine alphaherpesvirus 1 infection become latent carriers.
To diagnose infection, the virus is identified using specific monoclonal antibodies,PCR orELISA. Neurological lesions should be identifiable onpostmortem examination.
There is currently no treatment or specific vaccine forBovine alphaherpesvirus 5, butBovine alphaherpesvirus 1 vaccines seem to provide some cross-protection.
