Infecções latentes por Herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 e 5 em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) provenientes da região sul do Brasil

Abstract

Infections caused by the bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) have been widely detected in Brazilian cattle, and they are responsible for major economic losses to the cattle industry. Among the diseases caused by this virus there are infectious rhinotracheitis (IBR), Infectious Pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) and balanoposthitis Infectious Pustular (IBP). The economic impact of this disease is mainly due to reproductive failures, such as return to estrus and abortions. The bovine is a natural host of BoHV-1, however, serologic studies in several countries have suggested that buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) may be susceptible to bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), and other genetically related alphaherpesvirus. Despite the cattle become infected naturally by BoHV-1, the distribution of this disease in the buffalo species has not been studied in Brazil, and the information is limited and only supported by serological surveys. Thus, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of viral DNA of BHV - 1 in trigeminal ganglia of 202 buffaloes collected in a slaughterhouse located in the city of Pelotas through a semi -nested PCR (SN - PCR) for detection of partial gene glycoprotein D of BoHV-1. In addition, 242 serum samples were obtained and tested by the serum neutralization (SN ) technique for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against different samples of herpesvirus: BHV -1 ( Los Angeles strain ) , BHV -5 (strain Riopel - RP ) and BuHV (strain B6 ). The BHV -1 DNA was detected in 30.1 % of the animals and the results of SN showed that 27.68 % of the animals had neutralizing antibodies against at least one of the tested viruses. This is the first study that uses molecular tests for the detection of latent BoHV - 1 in buffalo species in Brazil.