Passively administered neutralizing monoclonal antibodies do not protect calves against bovine herpesvirus 1 infection.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for defined epitopes on the gI, gIII and gIV envelope glycoproteins of BHV-1 were used individually or in glycoprotein-monospecific pools for passive immunization of young calves. Although serum antibody titres comparable to those found in naturally infected and recovered calves were achieved, passive immunization failed to prevent the growth of BHV-1 in nasal and ocular mucosa and did not decrease the duration of viral shedding.