Vulvovaginitis of goats due to a herpesvirus

Transcriptome and Proteomic Analysis Reveals Up-Regulation of Innate Immunity-Related Genes Expression in Caprine Herpesvirus 1 Infected Madin Darby Bovine Kidney Cells

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is a member of the alpha subfamily of herpesviruses, which is responsible for genital lesions and latent infections in goat populations worldwide. In this study, for the first time, the transcriptome and proteomics of CpHV-1 infected Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells were explored using RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS) technology, respectively. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 81 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between infected and mock-infected MDBK cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of these DEGs were mainly involved in the innate immune response, especially the interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis results indicated that the identified DEGs were significantly mainly enriched for response to virus, defense response to virus, response to biotic stimulus and regulation of innate immune response. Viral carcinogenesis, the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway and pathways associated with several viral infections were found to be significantly enriched in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway database. Eleven selected DEGs (Mx1, RSAD2, IFIT1, IFIT2, IFIT5, IFIH1, IFITM3, IRF7, IRF9, OAS1X and OAS1Y) associated with immune responses were selected, and they exhibited a concordant direction both in RNA-Seq and quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis. Proteomic analysis also showed significant up-regulation of innate immunity-related proteins. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mostly enriched in defense response and response to virus, and the pathways associated with viral infection were enriched under KEGG analysis. Protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated most of the DEGs related to innate immune responses, as DDX58(RIG-I), IFIH1(MDA5), IRF7, Mx1, RSAD2, OAS1 and IFIT1, were located in the core of the network and highly connected with other DGEs. Our findings support the notion that CpHV-1 infection induced the transcription and protein expression alterations of a series of genes related to host innate immune response, which helps to elucidate the resistance of host cells to viral infection and to clarify the pathogenesis of CpHV-1.

Epidemiological investigation and genomic characterization of Caprine herpesvirus 1 from goats in China

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is a member of the alpha subfamily of herpersviruses, and is responsible for genital lesions and latent infections in goat population worldwide. Here, we describe goats suffered severe respiratory diseases caused by alphaherpesvirus during 2013 to 2014 in Jiangsu province of China. CpHV-1 was detected out by PCR with a prevalence of 21.1% (40/190), among which three novel CpHV-1 strains were firstly identified and isolated in China. Phylogenetic analysis of glycoprotein B (gB) gene revealed that these new viruses were closely clustered with CpHV-1 strain E/CH. The isolate JSHA1405 was further studied by transmission electron microscopy, and displayed typical herpesvirus morphology. Then, for the first time, complete viral genome of JSHA1405 was sequenced by Illumina Hiseq and third-generation sequencing technology. The viral genome is 134,617 bp in length and the genome characteristics were deeply analyzed. 69 open reading frames were predicted and annotated, which was less than that of BoHV-1. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome revealed that JSHA1405 was classified into the same branch with previous CpHV-1 strains as well. Moreover, the pathogenicity test is further evidence that JSHA1405 strain induced obvious symptoms of high fever and nasal discharge in infected goats, consistent with clinical manifestations. This is the first report about isolation and identification of CpHV-1 in China and the first characterization of CpHV-1 genome structure. The research also provides a basis for understanding the characteristics, viral genome and pathogenicity of the virus.

Antiviral activity of PHA767491 on Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 in vitro

Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) induces genital lesions in its natural host similar to those caused by Human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HHV-2), commonly named herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) in human patients. CpHV-1 infection in goats could represent a useful homologous animal model for the study of HSV-2 infection, chiefly for the assessment of antiviral drugs in in vivo studies. PHA767491 is a potent inhibitor of HSV-1 and HSV-2, being able to limit replication of HHVs both in vitro and in the mouse model. In the present study the antiviral efficacy of PHA767491 against CpHV-1 was evaluated in vitro in MDBK cells. PHA767491 inhibited significantly CpHV-1 replication in a dose-dependent fashion by up to 2.50 log10 TCID₅₀/50 μl and was able to decrease viral DNA by nearly 8 log10. These findings confirm that PHA767491 is highly effective not only against simplexviruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), but also against the varicellovirus CpHV-1. Experiments will be necessary to assess whether PHA767491 is suitable for treatment of vaginal lesions in CpHV-1-goat model. This could provide hints for the therapy of genital alphaherpesvirus infections in humans.

Antigenic relationships between Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) and Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and experimental CpHV-1 infection of kids and calves

Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is a worldwide pathogen of goats and is closely related to Bovine alphaherpevirus 1 (BoHV-1). We herein studied the antigenic relationships of CpHV-1 with BoHV-1 and investigated the pathogenesis of CpHV-1 in kids and calves. Monoclonal antibody reactivity revealed that CpHV-1 and BoHV-1 share immunogenic epitopes in the major envelope glycoproteins gB, gC and gD. The antigenic relationship was further demonstrated by virus-neutralizing assays, in which CpHV-1 and BoHV-1 antisera presented varied degrees of cross-neutralization against the respective heterologous viruses. Although cross-neutralization was observed between both viruses and the heterologous antisera, BoHV-1 antisera neutralized CpHV-1 with higher efficiency than CpHV-1 antisera neutralized BoHV-1. Hence, the antigenic cross-reactivity between CpHV-1 and BoHV-1 should be considered upon serologic testing of goats and cattle in regions where the two viruses co-circulate. Intranasal (IN) inoculation of CpHV-1 (WI13-46 isolate) in seven seronegative kids resulted in efficient viral replication in the respiratory tract. Additionally, mild to moderate systemic and respiratory signs were observed, including apathy, hyperthermia, nasal discharge and respiratory distress. Dexamethasone administration to the inoculated kids between days 36 and 40 pi did not result in virus shedding in nasal secretions. However, latent infection had been established, as evidenced by the detection of CpHV-1 DNA in trigeminal ganglia and olfactory bulbs of kids euthanized at day 67 pi. Contrasting with the outcome of infection in kids, IN inoculation of CpHV-1 in calves did not result in productive infection as no virus replication or shedding were detected, and the animals did not develop clinical signs nor seroconverted. The animal experiments demonstrated that CpHV-1 was able to produce respiratory disease in kids, but did not replicate to detectable levels in calves.

A cross-sectional study to identify a set of risk factors for caprine herpesvirus 1 infection

BACKGROUND

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) causes neonatal mortality and reproductive failure in goats. Despite its impact on herd reproductive performance, few studies have investigated the risk factors associated with CpHV-1 infection. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify potential herd- and host-level risk factors associated with CpHV-1 prevalence in a goat population with heterogeneous seropositivity for CpHV-1.

RESULTS

Blood samples and individual data from 4542 goats were collected from 255 herds in Piedmont, Italy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralization tests were carried out to detect antibodies against CpHV-1. A mixed-effects model was applied to identify any statistical association between CpHV-1 seropositivity and a set of putative host-level and herd-level risk factors. A total of 630 samples tested were found positive by ELISA (prevalence = 13.9%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.9-14.9). Of the 255 tested herds, 85 were classified as positive for the presence of at least one gB-positive animal (herd prevalence 33.3%, 95% CI 27.5-39.2), with a within-herd prevalence between 0.7 and 100% (Q1 = 17.6%; median = 32.3%; Q3 = 50%) (Q = quartiles). The prevalence ratios showed a statistical association with the following risk factors: breeds other than Saanen, older age, larger herd size, meat and extensive herds, and co-existence of CAEV-infected animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this cross sectional study may help to elucidate the natural history of the infection and inform targeted strategies to control a disease with a potentially important impact on animal health and goat farming economy.

Abortion in goats by Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 in Spain

An abortion outbreak occurred in a goat herd of Murciano-Granadina breed in Almeria Region in Spain where 80 pregnant females aborted. All bacteriological and parasitological examinations resulted negative, whereas virological investigations and real-time PCR assay showed the presence of Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 DNA in the pathological specimens from aborted foetuses. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the DNA was highly close related to the Swiss strain E-CH (99.7%) and a little less extent to the Italian BA.1 strain (99.4%). Histopathological examination revealed multifocal, well-circumscribed, 50- to 200-μm-diameter foci of coagulative necrosis in the liver, lungs and kidneys of three foetuses. In the periphery of the necrosis, there were frequently epithelial cells with the chromatin emarginated by large, round, amphophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies. The source of the infection in the herd could not clearly find out even some hypothesis were formulated. This seems to be the first report of an abortion outbreak due to Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1 in a goat herd in Spain.

Abortion and Ulcerative Posthitis Associated with Caprine Herpesvirus–1 Infection in Goats in California

Three outbreaks of late-gestation abortions in does and ulcerative posthitis in bucks, associated with caprine herpes virus–1 (CHV-1), in California are described. In herd A, 10 of 17 does aborted in a 7-day period, whereas in herd B, 4 of 130 does aborted in a 45-day period and in herd C, 100 of 300 does aborted in a 3-week period. Most fetuses had multifocal pinpoint depressed foci with a zone of hyperemia on external and cut surfaces of the kidneys, liver, lungs, and adrenal glands. Histologically, scattered multifocal areas of necrosis with mild neutrophilic infiltrate were observed in kidneys, brain, liver, adrenal glands, and lungs of most fetuses of the 3 herds. Large amphophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies, which displaced the chromatin, were observed in cells within and around the necrotic foci in kidneys and adrenal glands. Particles 85–113 nm in size with morphology compatible with herpes virus were observed in the nuclei of these cells when examined by electron microscopy. Irregular, shallow, red ulcers were observed in the prepuce of 1 buck from herd C. Prepuce biopsies from this animal had necrosis of the superficial mucosal epithelium and severe submucosal lymphoplasmocytic infiltrates. Large intranuclear amphophilic inclusion bodies were observed in most cells of the stratum spinosum of the preputial epithelium, but no viral particles were observed in these cells. Caprine herpes virus–1 was isolated from tissue pools of fetuses from the 3 herds but not from prepuce biopsies. Positive results were obtained when tissues of a fetus from herd C were processed by a polymerase chain reaction technique to amplify the amino terminus of the glycoprotein C gene of CHV-1. Sera from aborted does from herds B and C and from the 3 bucks from herd C had high antibody titers to CHV-1. The results presented here support the hypothesis that the male goat is involved in the transmission of CHV-1. However, other forms of transmission cannot be ruled out.

First Description of Infection of Caprine Herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) in Goats in Mainland France

The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological situation of the caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) infection in nine districts in mainland France, mostly in the south, near Italy or Spain, where high seroprevalence has been observed. Two more central areas were also included in the study. The serosurvey was carried out in 9564 goats (275 herds) using bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) glycoprotein B and E ELISAs. To confirm the presence of specific CpHV-1 antibodies, some of the samples were tested in neutralization assay. Results demonstrate, for the first time, CpHV-1 infection in goat herds on the French mainland. The analysis found cases of alphaherpesviruses infection in each district studied, with different levels of seroprevalence observed within each district (ranging from 0.2% to 31.56% at an individual level and from 9% to 46.2% for herd seroprevalence). Moreover, in the Alpes-Maritimes district, the seroprevalence seemed to be higher in older goats (79.45% of animals 6 years old or more) than in younger animals (40.99% of one-year-olds). This result suggests frequent virus re-excretion and circulation in herds. Results analysis also shows that the seroprevalence was higher when the herd size increased. In addition, the first French CpHV-1 strain was isolated from nasal swabs taken on an infected goat. The data reported herein demonstrate that CpHV-1 circulates in mainland France, which should henceforth be taken into consideration in cases of unexplained abortion in goats.

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) vaginal infection of goats: clinical efficacy of fig latex

The latex of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) has been shown to interfere with the replication of caprine herpesvirus (CpHV)-1 in vitro. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of vaginal administration of fig latex in goats experimentally infected with CpHV-1. The fig latex reduced the clinical signs of the herpetic disease although it slightly influenced the titres of CpHV-1 shed. Thus, the fig latex maintained a partial efficacy in vivo.

Clinical protection of goats against CpHV-1 induced genital disease with a BoHV-4-based vector expressing CpHV-1 gD

Caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CpHV-1) is an alphaherpesvirus causing genital disease leading to abortion in adult pregnant goats and a systemic disease with high morbility and mortality in kids. Further, Caprine herpesvirus 1 infection represents a valuable large animal model for human herpesvirus induced genital disease, exploitable for pathogenic studies, new vaccines and antiviral molecules testing. Here, the bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) based vector derived from an apathogenic isolate of BoHV-4 and expressing the immunodominant CpHV-1 glycoprotein D (BoHV-4-A-gD(cp)gD(106)ΔTK) was constructed and its ability to protect goats against CpHV-1 induced genital disease evaluated. The subcutaneous route of recombinant BoHV-4 administration was first tested in vivo/ex vivo by in vivo image analysis and in vitro by goat skin primary cultures preparation and transduction. Next, an exploratory immunization and safety study in goats was performed with two recombinant BoHV4, BoHV-4-A-gD(cp)gD(106)ΔTK or BoHV-4-CMV-IgK-gE2gD-TM. In both cases no clinical signs were evident but a good titer of serum neutralizing antibodies was produced in all inoculated animals. When a challenge experiment was performed in a new group of animals using a highly pathogenic dose of CpHV-1, all the vaccinated goats with BoHV-4-A-gD(cp)gD(106)ΔTK were protected toward CpHV-1 induced genital disease respect to the unvaccinated control which showed typical vaginal lesions with a high grade of clinical score as well as a long lasting viral shedding. In summary, the data acquired in the present study validate BoHV-4-based vector as a safe and effective viral vector for goat vaccination against CpHV-1 induced genital disease and pave the way for further applications.

A caprine herpesvirus 1 vaccine adjuvanted with MF59™ protects against vaginal infection and interferes with the establishment of latency in goats

The immunogenicity and the efficacy of a beta-propiolactone-inactivated caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) vaccine adjuvanted with MF59™ were tested in goats. Following two subcutaneous immunizations, goats developed high titers of CpHV-1-specific serum and vaginal IgG and high serum virus neutralization (VN) titers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated in vitro with inactivated CpHV-1 produced high levels of soluble IFN-gamma and exhibited high frequencies of IFN-gamma producing cells while soluble IL-4 was undetectable. On the other hand, control goats receiving the inactivated CpHV-1 vaccine without adjuvant produced only low serum antibody responses. A vaginal challenge with virulent CpHV-1 was performed in all vaccinated goats and in naïve goats to assess the efficacy of the two vaccines. Vaginal disease was not detected in goats vaccinated with inactivated CpHV-1 plus MF59™ and these animals had undetectable levels of infectious challenge virus in their vaginal washes. Goats vaccinated with inactivated CpHV-1 in the absence of adjuvant exhibited a less severe disease when compared to naïve goats but shed titers of challenge virus that were similar to those of naïve goats. Detection and quantitation of latent CpHV-1 DNA in sacral ganglia in challenged goats revealed that the inactivated CpHV-1 plus MF59™ vaccine was able to significantly reduce the latent viral load when compared either to the naïve goats or to the goats vaccinated with inactivated CpHV-1 in the absence of adjuvant. Thus, a vaccine composed of inactivated CpHV-1 plus MF59™ as adjuvant was strongly immunogenic and induced effective immunity against vaginal CpHV-1 infection in goats.

Serologic and reproductive findings after a herpesvirus-1 abortion storm in goats

CASE DESCRIPTION

An abortion storm occurred in a goat herd, resulting in 75 aborted kids and 1 neonatal death from December 2004 to February 2005.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Aborted fetuses ranged from being premature to past term. Laboratory findings in 4 of 5 aborted fetuses were consistent with herpesvirus abortion. A virus that yielded positive results with a fluorescent antibody test for bovine herpesvirus-1 was isolated and identified as caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) via DNA sequence analysis.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Many does that aborted were rebred for kidding in late summer. Most of the young wethers born in 2005 were sold; however, all of the young does were kept for breeding in fall. In November 2005, all 241 goats in the herd were tested for antibodies against CpHV-1 to identify goats that had seroconverted during the outbreak. No complications attributable to CpHV-1 were identified during kidding in 2006.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

On the basis of serologic findings, infection with CpHV-1 was not associated with reduced reproductive success in the subsequent breeding.

Clinical protection against caprine herpesvirus 1 genital infection by intranasal administration of a live attenuated glycoprotein E negative bovine herpesvirus 1 vaccine

Background

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is responsible of systemic diseases in kids and genital diseases leading to abortions in goats. CpHV-1 is widespread and especially in Mediterranean countries as Greece, Italy and Spain. CpHV-1 is antigenically and genetically closely related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1). Taking into account the biological properties shared by these two viruses, we decided in the current study to assess the protection of a live attenuated glycoprotein E (gE) negative BoHV-1 vaccine against a genital CpHV-1 infection in goats.

Results

The vaccine was inoculated intranasally twice three weeks apart followed by a subsequent CpHV-1 intravaginal challenge which is the natural route of infection in three goats. To analyse the safety and the efficacy of this marker vaccine, two groups of three goats served as controls: one immunised with a virulent CpHV-1 and one uninoculated until the challenge. Goats were clinically monitored and all sampling procedures were carried out in a blind manner. The vaccine did not induce any undesirable local or systemic reaction and goats did not excrete gE-negative BoHV-1. After challenge, a significant reduction in disease severity was observed in immunised goats. Moreover, goats immunised with either gE-negative BoHV-1 or CpHV-1 exhibited a significant reduction in the length and the peak of viral excretion. Antibodies neutralising both BoHV-1 and CpHV-1 were raised in immunised goats.

Conclusion

Intranasal application of a live attenuated gE-negative BoHV-1 vaccine is able to afford a clinical protection and a reduction of virus excretion in goats challenged by a CpHV-1 genital infection.

Intravaginal administration of an inactivated vaccine prevents lesions induced by caprine herpesvirus-1 in goats

To evaluate the efficacy of mucosal vaccination with a beta-propiolactone inactivated caprine herpesvirus-1 (CpHV-1) vaccine, goats received vaginal administrations of two 7-day cycles at 2 weeks intervals. Seven days after the end of the second cycle, goats were challenged intravaginally with 4 ml of virulent BA.1 strain of CpHV-1. Vaccinated goats shed challenge virus for 8 days but, in comparison with control unvaccinated-challenged goats, were significantly protected from the classical clinical signs of genital lesions. Even without adjuvants, prolonged mucosal vaccination induced production of secretory IgA and provided significant clinical protection.

Characterization of caprine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D gene and its translation product

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) is responsible of systemic infection in neonatal kids as well as abortion and fertility disorders in adult goats. This virus is closely related to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) which causes infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. Glycoprotein D (gD) mediates important functions in alphaherpesviruses and is also a main immunogen. The sequence of CpHV-1 gD gene and the biochemical properties of its translation product were analyzed and compared to those of BoHV-1 and other alphaherpesviruses. A relatively high homology was found between CpHV-1 and BoHV-1 glycoproteins D amino acid sequences (similarity of 68.8%). Moreover, six cysteine residues are conserved by CpHV-1 gD and the other studied alphaherpesviruses. CpHV-1 gD has a molecular mass similar to BoHV-1 gD and contains complex N-linked oligosaccharides. In contrast to the BoHV-1 gD, CpHV-1 gD is expressed as a late protein. In spite of the observed differences which could influence its biological functions, CpHV-1 gD shares most characteristics with other alphaherpesviruses and especially BoHV-1.

Isolation of caprine herpesvirus type 1 in Spain

Two strains of caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CpHV-1) were isolated after the experimental reactivation of two seropositive goats in Spain. Viral DNA from these isolates was compared with DNA from bovine herpesvirus type 1 and CpHV-1 reference strains by restriction endonuclease analysis. The two Spanish isolates were closely related but could easily be distinguished from each other and from the reference strains.

Improved antigenic methods for differential diagnosis of bovine, caprine, and cervine alphaherpesviruses related to bovine herpesvirus 1

The control of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis induced by bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) requires sensitive and specific diagnostic assays. As BoHV-1 is antigenically and genetically related to four other alphaherpesviruses of ruminants-namely, BoHV-5, caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1), cervine herpesvirus 1 (CvHV-1) and CvHV-2-diagnostic tests able to discriminate BoHV-1 from these related viruses are needed to avoid misdiagnosis, especially because some of these viruses are able to cross the species barrier. In this study, murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for BoHV-1, BoHV-5, CpHV-1, CvHV-1, and CvHV-2 were produced with the aim of setting up an immunofluorescence assay able to discriminate between these related herpesviruses. Produced MAbs were selected for their viral specificity by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence staining of virus-infected cells. Radioimmunoprecipitation characterization of the selected MAbs revealed that four of them are directed against glycoprotein C (gC) and one of them is directed against gD of these related viruses. The obtained results demonstrate that the antibodies produced allow an unambiguous discrimination of each of the four alphaherpesviruses related to BoHV-1.

Reactivation of caprine herpesvirus 1 in latently infected goats

The authors report CapHV.1 reactivation in two latently infected adult goats treated with dexamethasone (DMS) (4.40 mg/kg BW) for 6 days. Virus was reisolated from vaginal swabs from the 3rd to the 12th day post-treatment with DMS and from nasal swabs for 2 days (6th and 7th day post-treatment). The animals also showed an increase of neutralizing antibody (SN) titer to CapHV.1 3 weeks after the end of treatment with DMS.

Comparison of herpesviruses isolated from reindeer, goats, and cattle by restriction endonuclease analysis

A genomic comparison of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), caprine herpesvirus (CHV-2) and reindeer herpesvirus (RHV), was performed using 5 restriction endonucleases. Cross neutralization of these three herpesviruses showed that BHV-1 and CHV-2 had a relatively low degree of cross reaction with heterologous viruses. RHV showed a higher degree of such cross reactivity. The restriction endonuclease analyses showed that the migration patterns of the DNA segments were different for the three groups of herpesviruses. The enteric caprine strain could be differentiated from genital strains using BstE II and Hpa I. The genome size of reindeer herpesvirus was estimated to be approximately 86.8 x 10(6) Da (131.8 kbp), and indications of isomerization of this genome were found. It is concluded that reindeer herpesvirus is a distinct species within the family Herpesviridae.

An experimental study on the pathogenicity of the caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CHV-1)

The pathogenicity of caprine herpesvirus type-1 (CHV-1) in goat kids and lambs was studied. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, two Saanen goat kids and four lambs of a local breed were infected intravenously with the Swiss strain E/CH of the virus. Clinical reaction was severe in the kids, but it was very mild in the lambs. Virus was excreted from the kids in higher titres and longer than in lambs. Virus was also isolated from tissue specimens but only from a kid that died on post inoculation day 4 (PID 4). The gross- and histopathological lesions were more severe in kids. In the second experiment only lambs were used. They were dexamethasone treated and then virus inoculated. A very mild infection developed. The lambs did not shed the virus, neither the virus was isolated from their tissues collected at necropsy. Nevertheless histopathological lesions were seen. In both experiments the animals seroconverted on PID 10.

A preliminary investigation on the latency of the goat herpesvirus BHV-6

An experiment was designed for a preliminary investigation of the caprine herpesvirus BHV-6 latency. The experiment was carried out in two steps. In the first, the virus inoculated six kids and the control, showed a mild infection and excreted the virus for 4-12 days. The second part started about one month after the cease of all symptoms and the virus isolations of the first part. No immunosuppression and therefore no virus reactivation could be achieved after eight daily administered injections of dexamethasone (0.15-0.50 mg/kg BW), as it was judged by the hematological, virological, pathological and serological findings.

Genital pathology of feral male goats

Genitalia from 1000 feral male goats derived from western Queensland and New South Wales were examined after slaughter at an abattoir and the prevalence of abnormalities determined. Ulcerative balanoposthitis, considered due to caprine herpesvirus infection, was observed in 11 animals (1.1%); acidophilic intranuclear inclusions were found in 7 of these. Other conditions included focal hypoplasia of seminiferous tubules in 2 bucks (0.2%), segmental aplasia of the epididymis (one buck, 0.1%), bulbourethral gland cysts with contained aggregations (33 bucks, 3.3%) and haemangiosarcoma of the bulbourethral gland in one animal. The low prevalence of several conditions such as spermatic granuloma, cryptorchidism, and testicular hypoplasia, was attributed largely to the fact that the bucks examined were horned so that the recognised association between genital abnormalities and polledness did not apply.