Molecular detection and characterization of ovine herpesvirus-2 using heminested PCR in Pakistan
- Author:
Aayesha RIAZ
1
;
Inga DRY
;
Robert DALZIEL
;
Saif Ur REHMAN
;
Muhammad Ali SHAH
;
Hafiz Muhammad Naeem AKHTAR
;
Arfan YOUSAF
;
Ruqia BAIG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Veterinary Science 2021;22(4):e51-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a highly fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle, deer, bison, water buffalo, and pigs caused by the gamma-herpesviruses alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1) and ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2).
Objectives:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OvHV-2 in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalo in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, by applying molecular and phylogenetic methods.
Methods:Blood samples were aspirated from sheep (n = 54), goat (n = 50), cattle (n = 46) and buffalo (n= 50) at a slaughterhouse and several farms. The samples were subjected to heminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the OvHV-2 POL gene and the OvHV-2 ORF75 tegument protein gene.
Results:The highest percentage of MCF positive samples was in sheep (13%), whereas goat, cattle, and buffalo had lower positive percentages, 11%, 9%, and 6.5%, respectively. Four OvHV-2-positive PCR products obtained from sheep samples were sequenced. The sequences obtained were submitted to the NCBI GenBank database (MK852173 for the POL gene;MK840962, MK852171, and MK852172 for the ORF75 tegument protein gene). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close similarity of study sequences with those of worldwide samples.
Conclusions:This study is the first cross-sectional study on the prevalence and molecular detection of OvHV-2 in apparently healthy cattle and buffalo that could be carrying OvHV-2 acquired from OvHV-2-positive sheep and goats. The results indicate that OvHV-2 is circulating in Pakistan. Further studies are needed to characterize OvHV-2 and elucidate further its prevalence.
