Antibodies to Ruminant Alpha-Herpesviruses and Pestiviruses in Norwegian Cervids

Abstract

A serologic survey revealed that Norwegian populations of free-ranging reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and moose (Alces alces) have been exposed to alpha-herpesviruses and pestiviruses. A total of 3,796 serum samples collected during the period 1993-2000 were tested in a neutralization test for antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) or cervid herpesvirus 2 (CerHV-2), and 3,897 samples were tested by a neutralization test and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Antibodies against alpha-herpesvirus were found in 28.5% of reindeer, 3.0% of roe deer, and 0.5% of red deer, while all moose samples were negative. In reindeer, the prevalence of seropositive animals increased with age and was higher in males than females. Antibodies against BVDV were detected in 12.3% of roe deer, 4.2% of reindeer, 2.0% of moose and 1.1% of red deer. The results indicate that both alpha-herpesvirus and pestivirus are endemic in reindeer and pestivirus is endemic in roe deer in Norway. The viruses may be specific cervid strains. Seropositive red deer and moose may have become exposed as a result of contact with other ruminant species.

Ruminant alphaherpesviruses related to bovine herpesvirus 1

“…A Norwegian investigation showed similar results: 60% of reindeer and 15% of calves were shown to be seropositive [55]. In Norway, during the period 1993-2000, antibodies against BoHV-1 related alphaherpesviruses were found in 28.5% of reindeer [70]. These results indicate that alphaherpesvirus infections are endemic in reindeer and that CvHV-2 is most likely the herpesvirus responsible for the observed prevalences.…”

Cervid Herpesvirus 2 Causes Respiratory and Fetal Infections in Semidomesticated Reindeer

“…Experimentally it has been demonstrated that CvHV-2 can infect bovines and cause a mild rhinotracheitis, but no latency of CvHV-2 has been detected in bovines (18,34). Serological evidence of CvHV-2 infection has been reported for both wild (13) and semidomesticated (31,36) reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway, for barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in Greenland (4), and for Grant's caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) in Alaska (8).…”

Serological Survey for Potential Disease Agents of Free-ranging Cervids in Six Selected National Parks from Germany

“…Although restricted to Germany, this is the first survey of European NP for the presence of antibodies to viral diseases in cervids. Results from previous studies have revealed antibodies to some of these agents in free-ranging deer elsewhere in Germany and in other European countries (e.g., Weber et al, 1978;Thiry et al, 1988;Liebermann et al, 1989;Thiry et al, 1992;Frö lich, 1996;Pospisil et al, 1996;Lillehaug et al, 2003). Results presented in this report for the three a-herpesviruses are in accordance with those reported previously for freeranging deer elsewhere in Germany Frö lich, 1996;Mü ller et al, 1996Mü ller et al, , 1997.…”