Sero-epidemiology and detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV1) antigen in semen of cattle and buffalo by polymerase chain reaction

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHVl) infect cattle and buffalo causing colossal economic losses due to productive and reproductive losses. Although serological studies have been carried out in various states, the status of the disease in Tripura is not known. One hundred serum samples were collected from crossbred and indigenous breed of cattle from the state of Tripura and screened for the presence of antibodies against BoHVl by serum neutralization test (SNT) and 18 samples were found to be positive. A total of 100 fresh semen samples of cattle and buffalo bulls were obtained from Disease Investigation Section, Aundh, Pune, Maharastra and screened for the presence of BoHVl DNA by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gC specific primers. It was found that out of 100 samples screened, 74 were positive for BoHV1. The current study emphasized the needs for further seroepidemiology and screening of fresh/frozen semen of breeding bulls for the presence of BoHV1.