Seroprevalence to bovine herpesvirus type 1 in sheep in Turkey

In the present study, sera from 1146 sheep from eight different locations in the northern provinces of Turkey were investigated against bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) by a conventional method, as serum neutralization. Prevalence of antibodies detected against BHV-1 in sheep was found to be 1.74% (20/1146). Serum samples obtained from sheep from 4 different provinces were detected negative against BHV-1. As a result, with this study presence of BHV-1 was detected for the first time in sheep in the northern provinces of Turkey. key words: sheep, bovine herpes virus-1, neutralization, seroprevalence, antibody, Turkey introduction Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) is a member of the Varicellovirus genus, alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, herpesviridae family and has a positive sense doublestranded DNA genome (ALY et al., 2003; MWEENE et al., 2003). The virus creates different infections in ruminants associated with respiratory symptoms such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), genital infection as pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) and balanoposthitis (IBP) in bulls, conjunctivitis, encephalitis, abortions and fatal multi-systemic infections (MWEENE et al., 2003). BHV-1 can establish latent infections in cattle and this fact serves as a constant source of infection during viral reactivation and re-excretion periods. The major economic losses in the cattle industry occur due to respiratory and reproductive disease caused by this virus (CASTRUCCI et al., 1997). BHV-1 is currently widespread all over the world, for example the USA, Canada, Zaire, Italy, Belgium, India and Turkey (CASTRUCCI et al., 1997; BILGE DAGALP, 1998; *Contact address: Zafer Yazici, DVM, Ph.D, Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology, Kurupelit, 55139, Samsun Turkey, Phone: +90 362 457 60 00 /2811; E-mail: [email protected]