A Serological study of human herpesvirus simplex 1 and bovine herpesvirus 1, 2, and 4 in Kansas cattle

Abstract

A total of 589 beef cattle and 466 dairy cattle were tested for antibodies to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and bovine herpes virus-1, 2, and 4 (BHV) using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). In the beef cattle, prevalence of antibodies to HSV-1, BHV-1, 2, and 4 was 34.8%, 67.9%, 36.5% and 12.4% respectively, and in the dairy cattle prevalence of antibodies to these viruses was 35.4%, 45.3%, 38.2%, and 24.4%, respectively. There were no cross reactions between the four viruses using an IFAT with monospecific polyclonal antiserum to BHV-1, 2, and 4, and an IFAT with two separate monoclonal antibodies to HSV-1. Statistical analysis indicated that the presence of one or more viruses in an animal enhanced the chance of infection with other herpesviruses.