Serological evidence and risk factors associated with Caprine herpesvirus 1 in dairy goat flocks in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the flock-level seroprevalence of Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) and Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and 2 (BoHV-2) and risk factors associated with CpHV-1 in dairy goat flocks from a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. A total of 1,034 serum samples from 110 flocks were collected from March 2009 through March 2010. A structured questionnaire focusing on variables related to risk factors for CpHV-1 infection was given to each farmer at the time of blood collection. Antibodies against CpHV-1, BoHV-1, and BoHV-2 were detected by neutralization tests. The flock-level prevalences of CpHV-1, BoHV-1, and BoHV-2 were 89.1% (98/110; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.7–94.2), 80% (88/110; 95% CI: 71.3–87), and 4.5% (5/110; 95% CI: 1.5–10.3), respectively. Frequencies of seropositive animals were 36.6% (379/1,034), 25.8% (267/1,034), and 0.6% (6/1,034) for CpHV-1, BoHV-1, and BoHV-2, respectively. The use of natural mating was identified as a risk factor associated with CpHV-1 flock-level prevalence ( P = 0.001). It is suggested that adoption of veterinary services and active surveillance of the at-risk flocks in the study region should be initiated to reduce the prevalence of herpesvirus infections.

Investigation of the seroprevalence of BoHV-1 and CpHV-1 infections using gB/gE ELISA combination and VNT in selected goat flocks

“…However, 89% (156/174) of the goats tested positive only to CpHV-1 antibodies, indicating that in these animals, there were no cross-reactions with BoHV-1. Similar results were reported in previous studies (19,25). Martin et al (1990) reported that antibodies against CpHV-1 were shown to have no potential to neutralize BoHV-1.…”

“…However, antibodies against BoHV-1 protected against CpHV-1. Silva et al (2013) reported that all samples were shown to be positive for BoHV-1 showed positivity for CpHV-1 by VNT at the same time. By performing ELISA and VNT for CpHV-1 we have found a positivity of 87.63%.…”

“…Antibody positivity titer of the male goats' herds were noted to be 42.30%, 70.00% and 54.28%. Silva et al(2013) demonstrated that virus can pass through semen, so during control programs for this infection, this way of transmission must be noted. In some flocks, we encountered abortions, stillbirth, drop in milk yield, and upper respiratory infections, and interestingly in these flocks positivity of CpHV-1 is significant and meaningful (p<0.001).…”

Caprine herpesvirus type 1 infection in goat: Not just a problem for females

“…Recovered animals become latently infected and the virus is detected in the sacral ganglia (Camero et al, 2010;Tempesta et al, 1999b). Spreading of the infection and seroconversion in a flock usually follow virus reactivation in infected animals during the mating season (Koptopoulos et al, 1988;Papanastasopoulou et al, 1990) and the use of natural mating is considered as a risk factor (Silva et al, 2013). Indeed, virus reactivation has been observed and reported only in coincidence with estrus in animals with low specific antibody titers (Tempesta et al, 1998).…”

Herpesviral infections of farm and companion animals

“…leczenia kortykosteroidami, ciąży, transportu, wprowadzeniu zwierzęcia do nowego stada, innych chorób, złych warunków hodowli, a nawet nieodpowiedniej diety (91,97). W ostrej fazie zakażenia wirus jest uwalniany przez drogi oddechowe, wydzielinę z oczu oraz z narządów płciowych (78). Do zakażenia może dojść również na skutek kontaktu ze skażoną żywnością, wodą, naczyniami lub narzędziami (91).…”