Molecular detection of bovine herpes virus-1 among cattle in Mosul city, Iraq

Abstract

Bovine herpes virus-1 (BoHV-l) infects livestock and causes several forms of disease, the most pro­mi­nent being bovine infectious rhinotracheitis, infectious balanoposthitis, and infectious postural vulvovaginitis. Infection can result in substantial loss, especially in feedlot cattle. The current study aimed to determine BoHV-l in cows by using the conventional polymerase chain reaction. A total of 184 plasma and nasal swab samples were collected from cattle 6 months to 2 years of age of both sexes and of various breeds and from different regions in Mosul city between October 2020 and March 2022. The prevalence of BoHV-1 in cattle was 14/184 (7.6%). Animals infected with BoHV-l had signs of fever, cough, mucoserous eye and nasal secretions, dyspnea, appearance of abnormal respiratory sounds, as well as congestion of the mucous membranes of the eyes. The prevalence of BoHV-1 was significantly higher in males (9.7%) (P≤0.05) than in females, in animals 6–8 months of age – 11/100 (10%) (P≤0.05) compared to those between 9 months and 2 years of age. Moreover, no significant difference between native and imported breeds, as well as between respiratory, ocular, and genital forms was found out. This study concluded that the prevalence of the BoHV-1 virus in Mosul city, Iraq was relatively high, particularly in terms of the age and sex of the animals.