View source for Biology:Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4

{{Short description|Species of virus}}
{{Italic title}}
{{virusbox
| parent = Rhadinovirus
| species     = Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4
| synonyms    = Movar virus
}}

'''''Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4''''' (BoHV-4) is a member of the ''[[Biology:Herpesviridae|Herpesviridae]]'' family. It is part of the subfamily ''[[Biology:Gammaherpesvirinae|Gammaherpesvirinae]]'' and [[Biology:Genus|genus]] ''[[Biology:Rhadinovirus|Rhadinovirus]]''. [[Medicine:Infection|Infection]] is normally sub-clinical but can cause reproductive [[Disease|disease]] in [[Biology:Cattle|cattle]] such as [[Medicine:Endometritis|endometritis]], vulvovaginitis and mastitis. Transmission is both [[Biology:Vertical transmission|vertical]] and [[Medicine:Horizontal transmission|horizontal]]. It can also be indirectly spread by [[Medicine:Fomite|fomite]]s. Distribution is worldwide and the virus infects a range of [[Biology:Ruminant|ruminant]]s, including [[Biology:Bison|bison]], buffalo, [[Biology:Sheep|sheep]] and goats.

The disease may be referred to as a [[Biology:Passenger virus|passenger virus]].

== Clinical signs and diagnosis ==
BoHV-4 infection is often subclinical, with no observable clinical signs. However the virus may cause [[Medicine:Abortion|abortion]] and '''retained foetal membranes''', and if an infected fetus is born alive it may be '''weak'''. It can also cause mastitis in dairy cattle. It may be isolated from conjunctivitis and respiratory disease cases but it is unknown whether the EHV-4 is a primary or opportunistic pathogen in these cases.

Diagnosis is achieved by virus isolation (from [[Biology:Tissue|tissues]] or secretions), '''[[Biology:Polymerase chain reaction|PCR]]''', '''ELISA''', and '''indirect [[Biology:Immunofluorescence|immunofluorescence]]'''. Because BHV-4 infection can be asymptomatic, the presence of the virus does not confirm that it was the cause of the observed clinical signs.

== Treatment and control ==
Treatment is symptomatic. The virus can remain '''[[Biology:Virus latency|latent]] in recovered animals''' - shedding at times of '''stress''', allowing the spread of disease to others. Appropriate '''hygiene''' and '''isolation''' measures can control disease. Vaccines exist in the USA but are not widely used.

== See also ==
* Bovine herpesvirus (disambiguation)

== References ==
* Bovine Herpesvirus 4, reviewed and published by WikiVet at http://en.wikivet.net/Bovine_Herpesvirus_4, accessed 14/08/2011.

{{Herpesvirales}}
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[[Category:Gammaherpesvirinae]]



{{Sourceattribution|Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4}}