C Caruso1, R Prato1, F Ingravalle1, D Vecchio2, A Sciarra1, M Ternavasio3, L Ceccarelli1, A Martucciello2, G Galiero3, E De Carlo2, L Masoero4. 1. a Department of Virology , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piedmont , Turin , Italy. 2. b Diagnostic Section of Salerno , National Reference Center on 'Hygiene and Technologies of Buffalo Breeding and Production', Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno , Salerno , Italy. 3. c Veterinary Local Service - ASL TO5 , Torino , Italy. 4. d Diagnostic Section of Portici , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno , Naples , Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Both Bovine herpesvirus (BoHV-1) and Bubaline herpesvirus (BuHV-1) have been reported to cross the species barrier. Antibody seroconversion in glycoprotein E (gE) blocking ELISA during BuHV-1 infection has been documented. Recent diagnostic efforts have focused on the development and application of discriminatory tests to distinguish between infections with BoHV-1 and BuHV-1. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact and distribution of these two infections in water buffalo farms in two regions (Piedmont (n = 3) and Campania (n = 10), Italy) where infectious bovine rhinotracheitis control programs have been implemented. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Sampling was carried out on 13 buffalo farms comprising 1089 animals using specific gE-indirect ELISA's test able to discriminate among BoHV-1 and BuHV-1 infections. RESULTS: 59.0% of animals reacted positive to ELISA (irrespective of whether BoHV-1 or BuHV-1 antigen was used) and 86.4% of these were reactive to BuHV-1 only, whereas 11.8% showed absorbance values for both antigens and were classified as inconclusive. There was a statistically significant age-related difference in BuHV-1 infection rates but not in overall individual (47% vs. 58%) or herd prevalence (100% vs. 90%) of infection between the two regions. CONCLUSION: The low percentage of sera reactive to BoHV-1 (1.8%, 12/643) indicates that BuHV-1 may be the main circulating alphaherpesvirus infection in Mediterranean water buffalo in the two study areas. Since Bubalus bubalis is included in Directive 64/432/EEC on animal health problems affecting intra-community trade in bovine animals, diagnostic testing with nonspecific ELISA for BoHV-1 infection in buffalo may yield false-positive reactions. This scenario could lead to economic losses and hamper buffalo trade and movement, particularly for reproduction purposes.
BACKGROUND: Both Bovineherpesvirus (BoHV-1) and Bubaline herpesvirus (BuHV-1) have been reported to cross the species barrier. Antibody seroconversion in glycoprotein E (gE) blocking ELISA during BuHV-1infection has been documented. Recent diagnostic efforts have focused on the development and application of discriminatory tests to distinguish between infections with BoHV-1 and BuHV-1. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact and distribution of these two infections in water buffalo farms in two regions (Piedmont (n = 3) and Campania (n = 10), Italy) where infectious bovinerhinotracheitis control programs have been implemented. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Sampling was carried out on 13 buffalo farms comprising 1089 animals using specific gE-indirect ELISA's test able to discriminate among BoHV-1 and BuHV-1 infections. RESULTS: 59.0% of animals reacted positive to ELISA (irrespective of whether BoHV-1 or BuHV-1 antigen was used) and 86.4% of these were reactive to BuHV-1 only, whereas 11.8% showed absorbance values for both antigens and were classified as inconclusive. There was a statistically significant age-related difference in BuHV-1infection rates but not in overall individual (47% vs. 58%) or herd prevalence (100% vs. 90%) of infection between the two regions. CONCLUSION: The low percentage of sera reactive to BoHV-1 (1.8%, 12/643) indicates that BuHV-1 may be the main circulating alphaherpesvirus infection in Mediterranean water buffalo in the two study areas. Since Bubalus bubalis is included in Directive 64/432/EEC on animal health problems affecting intra-community trade in bovine animals, diagnostic testing with nonspecific ELISA for BoHV-1infection in buffalo may yield false-positive reactions. This scenario could lead to economic losses and hamper buffalo trade and movement, particularly for reproduction purposes.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alphaherpesvirinae; BoHV-1; BuHV-1; Bubalus bubalis; Water buffalo; cattle
Authors: Claudia Esposito; Filomena Fiorito; Gianluca Miletti; Francesco Serra; Anna Balestrieri; Barbara Cioffi; Claudia Cerracchio; Giorgio Galiero; Esterina De Carlo; Maria Grazia Amoroso; Giovanna Fusco Journal: Vet Res Commun Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 2.816