Bovine herpes Virus-1: Viral latency and reactivation induced infections in bovines

Abstract

Bovine reproductive disease attributable to bovine herpes virus-1 (BoHV-1) was first described in Germany in the 19th century, being recognised primarily as the cause of infectious vulvovaginitis and balanoposthitis until the mid-1950s when a more virulent strain of the virus (BoHV-1.1) associated with respiratory disease (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis; IBR) emerged in the western United States. Subsequently, IBR emerged as a clinical condition in Europe, from the 1970s onward. Acute infection of cattle leads to abundant expression of lytic cycle viral genes, high levels of virus shedding, and clinical symptoms. Following acute infection, lifelong latency is established in sensory neurons. While the ability of BoHV-1 to produce respiratory disease is now well recognised, the potential negative outcomes of infection on fertility and reproduction are less frequently considered. Latency and reactivation of the virus is the main cause of infections in cattle. In this review viral latency and reactivation induced infections in cattle is discussed.