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Background: Stress contributes to reactivation of feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1). The usage of pheromones to decrease stress in FHV‐1 experimentally inoculated kittens has not previously been investigated. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine whether a feline pheromone would lessen stress, resulting in decreased recurrence of FHV‐1‐associated illness in kittens. Animals: Twelve 5‐month‐old, purpose‐bred kittens. Methods: Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Kittens previously infected with the same dose of FHV‐1 were randomized into 2 separate but identical group rooms. After a 2‐week equilibration period, a diffuser containing either the pheromone or placebo was placed in each of the rooms, and the kittens acclimated for an additional 2 weeks. Every 2 weeks thereafter, for the 8‐week study period, housing was alternated between kennel‐ and group housing. Blinded observers applied a standardized clinical and behavioral scoring rubric daily. After each 2‐week period, serum cortisol concentrations and quantitative PCR for FHV‐1 and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) ratios were evaluated. Clinical, behavioral, and laboratory test results were compared between groups within individual and combined study periods. Results: Sneezing occurred more frequently in the placebo group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P = 0.001). Sleep at the end of observation periods occurred more frequently in the pheromone group during individual (P = 0.006) and combined study periods (P < 0.001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The findings suggest that the pheromone decreased stress, and the decrease in stress response may have resulted in decreased sneezing associated with FHV‐1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) are two important infectious diseases of cattle. Inactivated FMD vaccines are the most powerful tools to protect animals against FMD. Previous studies showed that recombinant IBR-FMD viruses protected cattle from virulent BHV-1 challenge and induced protective levels of anti-FMDV antibodies. FMD is considered to be endemic in Turkey and inactivated oil adjuvanted vaccines are used for the immunization of cattle. Previous studies showed that seroprevalence of IBR in the Turkey's dairy herd more than 50%. In this study, antibody response in IBR seropositive cattle following vaccination against FMD was investigated. IBR seropositive (n=208) and IBR seronegative (n=212) cattle were vaccinated with oil-adjuvanted bivalent vaccine (containing O1 Manisa, A22 Iraq FMDV strains). Solid-phase competitive ELISA (SPCE) was used to measure antibodies produced in cattle. Protective level of antibody against serotype O was detected in 77.4% and serotypes A in 83.6% of IBR seropositive cattle. Protective level of antibody against serotype O antibody was detected in 49% and serotypes A in 66.9% of IBR seronegative cattle. The differences between the protection rates against both serotype O (P=0.0001) and serotype A (P=0.0001) in IBR seropositive and seronegative animals were statistically important (Fisher's exact test, P<0.01). Results showed that after FMD vaccination, IBR seropositive animals produced high titres of antibodies than seronegative animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a contagious disease that affects bovines. It is essentially characterized by the presence of an exudative rhinotracheitis that can affect large bronchi of infected animals. Although the abortion is just a sequel of the respiratory disturbance, there are reports of viral groups with some abortive potential that can cause abortion outbreaks. In lactating cows, it causes milk production decrease and infertility. In Colombia there had been reported important data of serum-prevalence in the Caribbean, Andine and Pie de Monte Llanero regions, with important epidemiologic and economic impact. Here is presented a review about infectious bovine rhinotracheitis caused by herpesvirus, highlighting aspects of biologic properties of the virus, pathogenesis and clinical signs of the different ways of presentation of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The bovine herpes virus type I (BHV-1) causes the disease called Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), infects cattle and presents clinical manifestations such as pustular vulvo-vaginitis, abortion, rhinotracheitis and meningoencephalitis. Objective. This research work aims to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies to bovine herpesvirus- 1 (BHV-1) and bovine diarrhea (BVD) virus and risk factors associated to these infections in dairy herds in the municipality of Pasto, Colombia. Materials and methods. Farms above 2527 meters over the sea level were selected. A total of 238 serum samples were collected and analyzed using the ELISA test to determine the seropositivity against BHV-1 and BVD virus. A questionnaire, which included variables related to cattle, plus a health and a management measure were filled out in each herd. A multivariate analysis binary logistic regression was used with a confidence interval of 95% (p <0.05) using the program SPSS19 ®. Results. The estimated prevalence of exposure to BHV-1 in the municipality of Pasto was 17.65% and 32.77% for bovine viral diarrhea at the herd level. The binary logistic regression showed that the use of a bull instead of artificial insemination (OR = 30.56, CI 6.87, 135.98, P <0.0001) is a risk factor with BHV-1, and abortion (OR = 22.70, CI 4.21, 122.42, P <0.0001) and acquisition of new animals (OR = 34.90, CI 6.30, 193.43. P <0.0001) are risk factors with BVD. Conclusions. The prevalence of infectious rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea in dairy herds in Pasto does not indicate the existence of the disease in animals serologically positive, but suggests that at some point in their lives they were exposed to the virus. From the risk factors identified in this work, recommendations can be established for an effective control of reproductive diseases in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Recombinant feline interferon omega (rFeIFN-ω), a type I IFN, may have the potential to limit virus replication and associated clinical signs when administered early on in the course of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) infection and reactivation, respectively. The effect of rFeIFN-ω pretreatment on the course of subsequent FHV-1 infection in cats was investigated. Animals studied Nine SPF cats were divided into an IFN group ( n = 5) and a control-group ( n = 4). Procedures The IFN group was pretreated for 2 days with 10 000 units rFeIFN-ω twice a day topically into both eyes and 20 000 units rFeIFN-ω once a day orally, whereas the control group was mock-treated. Subsequently all cats were infected with FHV-1. Samples for FHV-1 DNA detection and quantitation, virus isolation, and titration of FHV-1 antibodies were collected. Clinical and ocular signs were recorded and scored. Results Courses of median individual clinical and ocular scores and virus load did not differ significantly between both groups usinganova for repeated measurements. Analysis (anova) of each individual ocular parameter revealed significantly high scores for epithelial keratitis ( P = 0.016) in the IFN group compared to the control group. Periods of virus shedding did not differ significantly between both groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Conclusions Results indicated a lack of beneficial effects of rFeIFN-ω pretreatment in the course of primary FHV-1 infection in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]