High mortality rate of shipping fever cases in cattle caused by bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1)

This study reports the high prevalence and molecular characterization of BoHV-1 infection in imported cattle with respiratory system disease after international transport. A high mortality rate of 14.16% (51/360) was reported in a group of animals imported from Hungary to Turkey in 2019. A total of 17 samples were evaluated (3 lung tissue and 14 nasal swab samples) from 15 cattle aged 6 to 9 months not vaccinated against BoHV-1. Virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) procedures were performed within the scope of this study. By virus isolation in MDBK cells, cytopathologic effects was detected in 8 samples (3 lung tissue and 5 nasal swabs samples). The same eight samples were also found positive by BoHV-1 PCR targeting gC (UL44) gene region. According to the sequencing result, the sample (ID: 10054) dropped into a cluster of BoHV-1.1. The REA was applied to the samples to confirm the results of phylogenetic analysis. All of the isolates were identified in the subgroup BoHV-1.1 by REA. These results showed a high mortality risk for imported animals and the possibility for BoHV-1 entering the receiving country via imported animals after transport. This event is a serious problem both for the control of BoHV-1 as well as for animal health and welfare.