Problems concerning the taxonomy of the 'Movar-type' bovine herpesviruses

Transduction of the rat brain by Bovine Herpesvirus 4

Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is a gamma-herpesvirus with no clear disease association. A recombinant BoHV-4 (BoHV-4EGFP Delta TK) expressing Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP), was successfully used to infect F98 rat glioma cells. BoHV-4EGFP Delta TK was injected into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain. Histology and immunohistochemistry showed that ependymal and rostral migratory stream cells were transduced while neurons were not. Clinical scores, evaluated for 90 days, indicated that the virus was non neuropathogenic, suggesting this virus is a suitable vector for brain tumor gene therapy.

Generation of a transposon insertion mutant library for bovine herpesvirus 4 cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome by in vitro MuA based DNA transposition system

Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is a gammaherpesvirus with no clear disease association. Although the BoHV-4 genome has been sequenced, the function of the majority of putative genes is elusive. Several features make BoHV-4 attractive as a backbone for use as a viral expression vector and/or as a model to study gamma herpesvirus biology and determining which genes are essential for its replication is a very important task. Starting from BoHV-4 genome cloned as infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC-BoHV-4) in Escherichia coli. A random insertion mutant library for BoHV4 was generated by the use of MuA transposase-catalyzed in vitro transposition reaction. Viral mutant transfection and direct sequencing allow the rapid determination of which BoHV-4 genes are essential for viral growth in a permissive eukaryotic cell line. BoHV-4 functional analysis information is fundamental when the BoHV-4 genome is modified for vector purposes.

Bovine herpesvirus 4 based vector interaction with liver cells in vitro and in vivo

Gene transfer into hepatocytes is highly desirable for the long-term goal of replacing deficient proteins and correcting metabolic disorders. Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) based vector capability to transduce rat liver cells in vitro and in vivo was assessed. For the in vitro study, a buffalo rat liver cell line was successfully transduced by BoHV-4 and although did not show toxicity, the immediate early two viral gene was transcribed and cells harboring the intact viral genome could be pharmacologically selected, but no viral replication took place. For the in vivo study, adult male rats were inoculated intraportally and intraparenchimally with a BoHV-4 expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein and liver sections were analyzed through fluorescent microscopy. Although the liver parenchyma could not be transduced, the endothelial layer of the liver vasculature showed a robust transgene expression without toxicity. Successful BoHV-4 based vector transduction of primary cultures of rat hepatocytes suggests that extrinsic factors, and not hepatocytes per se, are the cause of such lack of transducibility. The present study serves as a starting point for study of the use of BoHV-4 based vectors to target gene delivery to vascular endothelial cells.

Outcome of bovine herpesvirus 4 infection following direct viral injection in the lateral ventricle of the mouse brain

A recombinant bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK), obtained by the insertion of an EGFP gene into the TK locus of DN 599 BoHV-4 strain, was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain of mice and a clinical score was evaluated for 90 days. Although BoHV-4 was not neuro-pathogenic, BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK transduction capability was analyzed. EGFP expression was localized in close proximity to the border of the ventricles and EGFP-positive cells were found to co-localize with ependymal cells. Although most of the cells had a polarized morphology, they were not neurons. EGFP-positive cells were seen to spread in tangentially oriented rows within the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Co-localization of EGFP signal with anti-GFAP antibody showed that they were glial cells. EGFP-positive cells were observed until 31 days post-injection and then disappeared completely. Virus isolation was possible at an early post-injection time (3 days), but then virus titer was below the detection limits at later times. Viral DNA, however, could be detected until 21 days post-injection. Thus, in this report we showed that (i) BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK did not replicate in the mouse brain, (ii) is not pathogenic and (iii) gene transfer can be obtained in long-lived cells belonging to the RMS after BoHV-4EGFPDeltaTK injection within the lateral ventricle.

Exploiting persistent infection for selection of bovine herpesvirus 4 recombinants

Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is a gamma-herpesvirus with no clear disease association, and due to its biological characteristics, has been suggested as a gene delivery vector. It was demonstrated previously that recombinant BoHV-4 carrying a neomycin-resistance gene was able to infect a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD-4), resulting in no detectable cytopathic effect (CPE) and allowing selection of G418-resistant persistently-infected cells containing circular episomal viral DNA [Donofrio, G., Cavirani, S., van Santen, V.L., 2000a. Establishment of a cell line persistently infected with recombinant BoHV-4. J. Gen. Virol. 81, 1807-1814.]. Those cells produce infectious virus and infection is predominantly non-permissive and non-cytopathic. Starting from these results, the ability of RD-4 cells to sustain persistent infection was combined with positive selection activity conferred by the neomycin-expression cassette insert, as an easier way to select recombinants of BoHV-4 following homologous recombination in permissive cells. A tool for selecting BoHV-4 recombinants was developed by drug positive selection.

Activation of bovine herpesvirus 4 lytic replication in a non-permissive cell line by overexpression of BoHV-4 immediate early (IE) 2 gene

Bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) is a gammaherpesvirus with no clear disease association, it establishes persistent infections in its natural host, the bovine, and in an experimental host, the rabbit. BoHV-4 immediate early 2 (IE2) RNA is the less abundant, spliced, 1.8 kb RNA. The predicted amino acid sequence, of the IE2 protein, reveals that it could encode a 61 kDa protein with amino acid sequence homology to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transactivator R protein and its homologues including, herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2), murine herpesvirus 68 and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We examined recently the interaction of BoHV-4 with a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, RD-4, and found that although some infectious viruses can be produced, no cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed [J. Gen. Virol. 81 (2000) 1807]. Because IE2 could play a critical role in BoHV-4 productive infection and its overexpression in RD-4 cells could switch the non-permissive RD-4 status to a permissive one. RD-4 cells expressing stably BoHV-4 IE2 gene were generated. BoHV-4 IE2 induced an increased production of infectious viral particles sufficient to obtain an apparent cytopathic effect. It is concluded that BoHV-4 IE2 is a key factor in determining the outcome of BoHV-4 infection.

Interaction of a green recombinant bovine herpesvirus 4 with in vitro-produced bovine embryos

The objective of the present study was to assess whether bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) is able to infect in vitro-produced bovine embryos. A green recombinant BHV-4 (BHV-4EGFP deltaTK), obtained by insertion of an EGFP gene into the TK locus of BHV-4, was used. The presence of this marker protein made it possible easily to detect infected cells under physiological conditions, without harmful manipulation of the cells or the addition of exogenous substrates, so that the spread of the virus could be followed in real time. Zona pellucida intact (ZP-I) and zona pellucida open (ZP-O) blastocytes were exposed to 10(6) TCID50 viral particles and infection was monitored by fluorescent microscopy for 48 h. Expression of EGFP and degeneration of embryonic cells was observed in three of the 18 ZP-O embryos, but in none of the ZP-I embryos. It was concluded from this preliminary study that BHV-4 has only a low ability to infect in vitro-produced bovine embryos, depending on the absence of ZP, the amount of virus present and the stage of embryonic development. However, embryonic stem cells could be transduced by BHV-4EGFP deltaTK just after differentiation, as shown by expression of EGFP.

Potential of bovine herpesvirus 4 as a gene delivery vector

A cloning system was developed for construction of BHV-4 recombinants and recombinant virus BHV-4EGFPDeltaTK containing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene was constructed. The host range of BHV-4EGFPDeltaTK was characterized in vitro. When cell lines from various species and tissues were infected, most of the non-bovine cell lines exhibited neither cytopathic effect (CPE) nor supported viral replication, but EGFP expression was clearly observed. Next, embryonic stem cells were infected and induced to either non-specific or neural differentiation to determine whether they could survive and differentiate after BHV-4EGFPDeltaTK infection. Embryonic stem cells were infected successfully, as indicated by EGFP expression prior to differentiation, and EGFP expression could be detected in many differentiated cells. No CPE was noted. Therefore, BHV-4EGFPDeltaTK infection caused neither cell death nor interfered with non-specific or neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Finally, to assess the capability of BHV-4EGFPDeltaTK to infect post-mitotic neurons, cultures from brains of 2-weeks old mice were infected. No death of neuronal cells due to infection was observed and EGFP expression persisted for at least 15 days. Several biological characteristics of BHV-4 demonstrated previously make it a good candidate for a gene delivery vector. These include: little or no pathogenicity, unlikely oncogenicity, ability to establish persistent infection, and capability of herpesviruses to accommodate large amounts of foreign genetic material. These findings add the ability to infect several cell types coming from different animal species, usually without CPE, lack of interference with differentiation, and ability to maintain transgene expression in both undifferentiated and differentiated cells.

Nestin expression in cortical dysplasia

OBJECT

It is recognized that cortical dysplasia (CD) is associated with an increased incidence of glioneuronal neoplasms. Among hypothetical considerations, there is the possibility that CD and other neuronal migration abnormalities harbor dysmature cells with the potential to give rise to glioneuronal neoplasms. Such cells, if present, would be reasonably expected to display immature features. The goal of the present study was to characterize the expression of nestin, a neuroepithelial precursor/stem cell antigen, in CD, along with other pathological and clinical features of this entity.

METHODS

Clinical and surgical features of 10 recent cases meeting the histological criteria for CD were reviewed. Expressions of nestin, MAP2, neurofilament, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were assessed using immunohistochemical analysis and confocal scanning laser microscopy. Immunoreactivity for both glial and neuronal antigens as well as nestin was found in a select group of cells within regions of CD. Immunohistochemical and confocal microscopic findings demonstrated that these cells with neuronal or ambiguous features are a mixed population, some of which are dysmature neurons (positive for nestin and MAP2), whereas others are astrocytic (positive for nestin and GFAP).

CONCLUSIONS

Further insight into the nature of nestin-positive neurons may shed light on the cause and pathogenesis of the associated glioneuronal tumors and the accompanying chronic seizures.

A bovine macrophage cell line supports bovine herpesvirus-4 persistent infection

Although bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4), a gammaherpesvirus lacking a clear disease association, has been demonstrated in many tissues during persistent BHV-4 infection, a likely site of virus persistence is in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. To establish an in vitro model of persistent infection potentially useful for examining the molecular mechanisms of BHV-4 persistence/latency, we infected the bovine macrophage cell line BOMAC. Following extensive cell death, surviving cells were found to be persistently infected, maintaining the viral genome over many passages and producing low levels of infectious virus. Although selection was unnecessary for the maintenance of the viral genome, cells persistently infected with recombinant BHV-4 containing a neomycin-resistance gene could be selected with geneticin, thus confirming that persistent BHV-4 infection was compatible with cell survival and replication. Furthermore, persistent BHV-4 infection caused no decrease in the growth rate of BOMAC cells. Sodium butyrate, which reactivates latent gammaherpesviruses in vitro, or dexamethasone, which reactivates latent BHV-4 in vivo, increased viral DNA by 10- to 15-fold in persistently infected BOMAC cells. This suggests that reactivation of latent BHV-4 by dexamethasone in vivo might involve direct action of dexamethasone on latently infected cells.

Establishment of a cell line persistently infected with bovine herpesvirus-4 by use of a recombinant virus

Bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4), a gammaherpesvirus lacking a clear disease association, productively infects multiple cell lines of various species and causes cell death. A human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, RD-4, infected with BHV-4 produced low levels of early and late viral RNAs and infectious virus, but exhibited no cytopathic effect. Using a recombinant BHV-4 containing a neomycin-resistance gene, we established RD-4-derived cell lines persistently infected with BHV-4. The viral genome in these cells was predominantly circular. Because of drug selection, every cell contained a viral genome. In addition, all cells stained with a BHV-4-specific antiserum. Therefore, these cell lines are not carrier cultures. These cells produced infectious virus at all passages tested. Even though cells were selected and maintained at a concentration of geneticin at least 2.5 times that necessary to kill uninfected RD-4 cells, selected cells contained only approximately one viral genome per diploid host cell genome. Persistently infected cells grew more slowly than uninfected cells, even in the absence of drug. The slower growth of these cells suggests that any growth advantage conferred by multiple copies of the neomycin-gene-carrying viral genome might be offset by the detrimental effects of viral gene expression. This situation contrasts with other gammaherpesviruses, which are able to growth-transform cells.

Persistent infection of bovine herpesvirus type 4 in bovine endothelial cell cultures

Herpesviruses can establish a persistent infection in the cells and tissues of their natural hosts and thus may produce diseases due to cytolytic infections. We have isolated a herpesvirus from a bovine vascular endothelial cell culture after continuous subculturing. Typical cytopathic changes were observed in bovine endothelial cell cultures 2 days after inoculation of the virus. The virus had an icosahedral nucleocapsid of 100-150 nm in diameter and an envelope. The sequences of some DNA fragments of the virus were highly homologous to those of the bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4) strains. The DNA restriction maps of the virus and the reference strains of BHV-4, DN 599 and Movar 33/63 were very similar but not identical. Therefore, the newly isolated virus has been designated Taiwan strain. The presence of BHV-4 DNA in apparently normal bovine endothelial cell cultures was shown by Southern blot hybridization with the BamHI fragment of the newly isolated BHV-4 and was further confirmed by digestion of the DNA with BamHI plus AccI. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that BHV-4 persisted in the bovine endothelial cell cultures and continuous subcultures could lead to the production of infectious viral particles.

Periodic reappearance of bovine herpesvirus type 4 DNA in the sera of naturally and experimentally infected rabbits and calves

A BHV-4 specific nested PCR was used for the detection of viral DNA in serum samples of rabbits and calves. All animals were followed up for 62 days, blood samples were taken for PCR studies every second day. Maternal infection of calves resulted in the repeated regular reappearance (10-14 days) of the virus (DNA) in serum samples. When PCR positive five-day-old calves were infected with tissue culture adapted virus, the reappearance of the DNA in the serum was shown to be irregular, nevertheless, DNA peaks reappeared during the whole observation period. A PCR negative calf infected at the age of 60 days was found to possess viraemia until p.i.d. 32. In rabbits treated intravenously with BHV-4 the inoculum or a primary viraemia was detected at p.i.d. 2-3 and p.i.d. 14-16. Published data on human herpesviruses suggest, that the target cells might be a pluripotent stem cell population of the bone marrow and differentiated virus-infected cells destroyed by the immune system might be the source of viral DNA detected in the serum. Frequency of DNA reappearance was depended on the age of the infected animals but not on the inoculated amount of BHV-4. The described phenomenon might be part of BHV-4 infection of very young animals.

Evaluation of newly developed immunoperoxidase monolayer assays for detection of antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 4

This study describes the evaluation of immunoperoxidase monolayer assays (IPMAs) for detection of antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV4) DN-599 or BHV4 LVR 140 in sera of cattle. We compared the quality of these IPMAs with the quality of a BHV4 indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, a preliminary serological survey of BHV4 antibodies was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence of BHV4 in Dutch cattle at different ages. The specificities of both BHV4 IPMAs were 1.00. The geometrical mean titers (detection limit) of the BHV4 IPMAs were twice as high as that of the BHV4 indirect ELISA. In experimentally infected cattle, BHV4 antibodies were detectable by IPMAs 16 to 18 days postinfection, which was almost 2 weeks earlier than in the indirect ELISA. The reproducibility of the BHV4 DN-599 IPMA (kappaD value, 0.92) and of the BHV4 LVR 140 IPMA (kappaD value, 0.87) were good. For field sera the overall agreement between the BHV4 indirect ELISA and the two BHV4 IPMAs, DN-599 and LVR 140, was 95 and 96%, respectively. The serological-survey study showed that the estimated seroprevalence of BHV4 in Dutch cattle was 16 to 18% and that the percentage of BHV4-positive animals varied by age category (between 6 and 43%). In summary, the two BHV4 IPMA formats have several advantages that make IPMA a useful alternative to the BHV4 indirect ELISA for detecting BHV4 antibodies in cattle.

Primary cervical melanoma with brain metastases. Case report and review of the literature

Primary intramedullary melanoma is a very rare tumor that occurs most frequently in the middle or lower thoracic spinal cord. The authors present a case of primary cervical cord melanoma that developed in a 62-year-old man who was surgically treated and subsequently underwent radiation therapy. Clinical and histogenetic features of this neoplasm and results of chemo-. radio-, and immunotherapy are reported. Both "dysembryogenetic" and "mesodermal" hypotheses on the origin of primary spinal melanoma are discussed.

Primary intramedullary melanoma

Primary intramedullary melanoma is a very rare tumor, most frequently occurring in the middle or lower thoracic spinal cord. The authors present a new case of primary cervical cord melanoma that developed in a 62-year-old man whose tumor was surgically treated and subsequently received radiation therapy. Clinical and histogenetic features of this neoplasm, results of chemo-, radio-, and immunotherapy are reported. Both “disembryogenetic” and “mesodermal” hypotheses on the origin of primary spinal melanoma are discussed.

PCR studies on the potential sites for latency of BHV-4 in calves

The aim of the study was to examine various tissues of experimentally infected calves for the BHV-4 genome so as to detect in which cells the virus persists during the latent phase of the infection. The presence of the bovine herpesvirus type 4 genome was detected by a nested PCR in a variety of tissues collected from two susceptible calves experimentally infected 62 days earlier. Mild clinical signs of bronchitis, an elevated body temperature for 2-3 days, and a slightly increased number of blood leukocytes were observed in both inoculated calves. BHV-4 was demonstrated in seven samples from the 12 different parts of the nervous system tested from each calf (29.1%), from the cornea, from lymph nodes near to the inoculation site, from the gallbladder and from the bone marrow. Thus a member of the predominantly lymphotropic Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily was detected in neural tissue and other organs that have never been associated with persistence.

Histological studies of bovine herpesvirus type 4 infection in non-ruminant species

The pathology of bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4) infection was studied in cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Twenty kittens, twenty-two rabbits and ten guinea pigs, some treated with glucocorticoid-were inoculated with a BHV-4 strain of feline origin, via various routes of inoculation (conjunctival, intranasal, peritoneal). Clinical signs were recorded. After euthanizing at different post inoculation days macro- and microscopic changes were observed by necropsy and in hematoxylin-eosin stained histological sections. The presence of the virus in organs was detected by immunohistochemistry and a nested PCR assay. Inclusion bodies and monoclonal antibody-stained cells were found in the conjunctiva, trachea, lungs, spleen and lymph nodes. Most of the lesions were localized to the respiratory and the immune system. The macro- and microscopic lesions and clinical signs were more severe in kittens and guinea pigs. The histological data indicated that cats, especially kittens, were susceptible for BHV-4 and the infection was not confined to the urinary bladder.

Immediate-early, early, and late RNAs in bovine herpesvirus-4-infected cells

We have begun to identify immediate-early (IE), early (E), and late (L) genes of BHV-4 by analysis of cytoplasmic polyadenylated RNA transcribed from the BHV-4 genome over the course of infection and in the presence of cycloheximide or phosphonoacetic acid. Labeled cDNA prepared from RNA isolated at different times was hybridized with Southern blots of viral DNA to show which regions of the genome are transcribed at different times. In a second series of experiments, radiolabeled cloned restriction fragments representing the entire BHV-4 genome were hybridized separately to RNA on Northern blots to determine the number and sizes of transcripts at different times. As expected, with increasing time after infection, more portions of the BHV-4 genome are transcribed and a larger number and a greater abundance of viral transcripts are present. RNA transcribed from terminal repeats was not detectable at any time. However, similarity in size of RNA transcribed from opposite ends of the unique region of the genome late in infection suggests that RNA is transcribed over the fused ends of the genome, and terminal repeats are removed during RNA processing. Identification of IE, E, and L transcripts by this analysis lays the foundation for further study of specific BHV-4 transcripts and genes.

Molecular cloning and physical mapping of bovine herpesvirus 4 strain DN 599 and comparison with two American field-isolates

Ninety four percent of the genome of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) strain DN 599 was cloned and a physical map was constructed by Southern blot analysis using a library of cloned fragments cleaved with the 3 restriction enzymes (Eco RI, Bam HI, and Hin dIII). The genome length was estimated to be 156.5 kbp +/- 0.7. The genome comprises a region of unique segment (114 kbp) and two flanking segments containing tandem repeats. The size of each repeat was approximately 2.35 kbp and each repeat contained one Eco RI site and two Bam HI sites. We also examined two recent American field-isolates of BHV-4 and compared the Eco RI maps of the two isolates with that of DN 599. We observed the following: (1) insertions or deletions of restriction sites at the periphery of the unique segment; (2) variation in the lengths of junction fragments; (3) variations in the lengths of hypermolar Eco RI fragments containing the repeats; and (4) the Eco RI map of one of the American field-isolates resembles the BHV-4 "Movar type" of Europe.

Bovine herpesvirus 4 isolates: a comparison of three major glycoproteins

Twenty-four Belgian field isolates of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4), together with four reference strains were compared by radio-immunoprecipitation and western blotting using a polyvalent antiserum and monoclonal antibodies raised against major glycoproteins. Most of these strains showed the same protein profile as the European reference strain Movar 33/63. For two strains the molecular weight of gp 6, p (gp 10/gp 17) and gp 10 were the same as those of the American reference strain DN 599. No relationship could be established between the protein profiles and origin of the isolates or with the restriction patterns. This study provides a view of the molecular weight variations of the major BHV-4 glycoproteins among field isolates.

Characterization of the bovine herpesvirus 4 major immediate-early transcript

The major immediate-early (IE) RNA of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) has been identified and characterized by analyzing cytoplasmic polyadenylated RNA isolated from Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells infected with BHV-4(DN-599) in the presence of cycloheximide. Hybridization of cDNA to Southern blots of viral DNA, Northern (RNA) blot analysis, and S1 nuclease analyses showed that the major BHV-4 IE RNA is a spliced, 1.7-kb RNA, which is transcribed from right to left on the restriction map of the BHV-4 genome from DNA contained in the 8.3-kb HindIII fragment E. The major IE RNA contains three small exons at its 5' end, spliced to a 1.3-kb 3' exon. This RNA is present in much-reduced amounts when cells are infected in the absence of cycloheximide. However, late in infection, the major IE RNA gene region encodes abundant RNAs which differ in structure from the major IE RNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the gene encoding the major IE RNA revealed an open reading frame encoding 284 amino acids. A homology search of amino acid sequence data bases showed that a 141-amino-acid region near the amino terminus of the predicted amino acid sequence is similar to sequences near the amino terminus of herpes simplex virus type 1 IE110. This region of homology includes CXXC pairs, which could be involved in zinc finger structures. The region encoding this putative zinc finger domain is also found in RNAs transcribed from this IE region late in infection, but it is spliced to different sequences than those used in IE RNA. Thus, the major IE region of the BHV-4 genome could encode a family of proteins sharing a zinc finger domain.

Analysis of bovine herpesvirus 4 (DN 599) major antigens with monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal immune serum

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and polyclonal immune sera were produced and used to identify the major antigens of bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4). SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of immunoprecipitates of radiolabeled lysates from infected cells resolved 24 peptide bands varying from 12 kDa to over 300 kDa. Six peptides were identified as major viral antigens by immunoprecipitation. Based on the pattern of radioimmunoprecipitation, MAbs were assigned into four groups. Group 1 precipitated a tunicamycin-sensitive glycoprotein complex which contained six components (245, 190, 152, 123, and 48/46 kDa). Deglycosylation with endoglycosidase F revealed two peptides with Mr of 93 and 38 kDa as the basic peptides of the glycoprotein complex. In addition, a 115 kDa glycopeptide containing glycan-peptide bonds of mixed type was identified. Group 2 precipitated a non-glycosylated protein complex consisting of three monomers (33/31/30 kDa). Groups 3 and 4 reacted with single monomeric non-glycosylated peptides with Mr of 48 and 14 kDa, respectively. Although none of the MAbs exhibited significant neutralizing activity, some reacted strongly in immunosorbent and/or immunohistochemical assays, suggesting they may be good candidates for use in diagnostic assays.

Genomic diversity among bovine herpesvirus 4 field isolates

Twenty-eight Belgian field isolates of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) coming from a variety of clinical diseases have been studied by restriction analysis and Southern blot hybridization. The unique central part of the genome was very well conserved among strains; only one variation in a restriction site was detected in 3 isolates which contain an additional EcoRI site also present in the LVR 140 strain; three regions in the unique part of the genome varied in size, one of these was highly variable. The polyrepetitive fragments (prDNAs) situated in tandem at both genomic ends were also variable in size; most of the isolates exhibited prDNA units of one size (major prDNA) and some of them also contained prDNA units having a different size and present in a lower amount (minor prDNA) than the major prDNA. Other isolates possessed two major prDNAs of different sizes which were both present in the same genome. The left junction fragment between the unique and the repeated sequences was also highly variable. No relationship could be established between the restriction pattern and the origin of the isolates; patterns of isolates coming from the same herd were similar except in one case. This study provides a view of the genome variability existing between BHV-4 field isolates.

Biological and molecular aspects of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4)

This review summarizes most recent information on the bovine cytomegalovirus BHV-4. The virus is not associated with clearly defined clinical entities in cattle. It can easily be isolated in tissue culture and has a broad host range. BHV-4 strains are rather similar in restriction enzyme analysis of their DNAs, the size of the pr DNAs, however, differs. The genome represents a gamma-herpesvirus. Because of its uniqueness BHV-4 is discussed as an appropriate vector.

The malignant catarrhal fever complex

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is defined as a clinicopathological syndrome caused by related herpesviruses and acquired from persistently infected wildebeest and sheep. There is convincing epidemiologic and virologic evidence that Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AHV1) causes the wildebeest-derived disease (WD-MCF). Present knowledge suggests that a herpesvirus related to AHV1 may be associated with some cases of the non-wildebeest-associated disease (NWA-MCF). However, this virus possibly represents a passenger virus not related with the ultimate cause of the disease. Moreover, evidence for the role played by sheep as the reservoir for the agent of NWA-MCF is not convincing and awaits confirmation.

Animal cytomegaloviruses

Cytomegaloviruses are agents that infect a variety of animals. Human cytomegalovirus is associated with infections that may be inapparent or may result in severe body malformation. More recently, human cytomegalovirus infections have been recognized as causing severe complications in immunosuppressed individuals. In other animals, cytomegaloviruses are often associated with infections having relatively mild sequelae. Many of these sequelae parallel symptoms associated with human cytomegalovirus infections. Recent advances in biotechnology have permitted the study of many of the animal cytomegaloviruses in vitro. Consequently, animal cytomegaloviruses can be used as model systems for studying the pathogenesis, immunobiology, and molecular biology of cytomegalovirus-host and cytomegalovirus-cell interactions.

A serological comparison of some animal herpesviruses

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) isolates (Cooper-type strain 4975 and Oxford) were compared in neutralization tests with the bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) isolate (85/16 TV) and the herpesviruses of red deer (D2839/1) and goats (E/CH). Hyperimmune antiserum was prepared in rabbits against the plaque-selected viruses and endpoint and kinetic neutralization test were made. BHV-4 was clearly different from the other four viruses. The closely-related BHV-1 strains were also related in these tests to the red deer herpesvirus. The Oxford strain seemed rather closer antigenically than the Cooper-type strain to the red deer herpesvirus. Antiserum to the caprine herpesvirus failed to neutralize either BHV-1 strain or red deer virus, but antiserum to the Cooper-type and red deer herpesviruses did neutralize caprine virus to a limited extent.

A bovine herpesvirus (BHV-4) as passenger virus in ethmoidal tumours in Indian cattle

A herpesvirus was isolated from tumours of the ethmoidal mucosa in two of three head of cattle in the State of Kerala, India. The virus designated M40 was cytopathic for a variety of cultured bovine and porcine cells and it did not kill suckling mice or chicken embryos. Sera from tumour-bearing cattle and goats reacted with the M40 virus. Immunofluorescence tests with FITC-conjugated IgG from a bovine monospecific antiserum to bovine herpesvirus 4 (BHV-4) stained the M40 virus specific antigen in infected cells. Experimental infection of goats with the M40 virus did not result in development of tumours. This virus is therefore considered to represent a "passenger" virus. A great similarity was found between restriction patterns of DNAs extracted from M40 virus and the strain 66-P-347, a reference strain of the BHV-4 group.

Aujeszky's disease ELISA: cross-reactions with other herpesvirus antisera

The production of antibodies in pigs to 11 herpesviruses was investigated in relation to their ability to cross-react with Aujeszky's disease virus (suid herpesvirus 1--SHV1). Of the herpesviruses tested only two, sheep herpesvirus (caprine herpesvirus 1) and dog herpesvirus (canid herpesvirus 1), failed to produce homologous virus antibodies. Only the antibodies to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) produced a cross-reaction by SHV1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No SHV1 neutralizing antibodies were detected in any of the herpesvirus antisera. A cross-reaction with SHV1 by a serum from a pig naturally infected with BHV1 or with any of the other herpesviruses tested was considered unlikely.