MALIGNANT CATARRHAL FEVER IN AN INDIAN GAUR AND GREATER KUDU - EXPERIMENTAL TRANSMISSION, ISOLATION, AND IDENTIFICATION OF A HERPESVIRUS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (1) , 5-11
Abstract
Herpesviruses were isolated in bovine cell cultures from buffy coat cells obtained from an Indian gaur (B. gaurus) and a greater kudu (T. strepsiceros) with clinical signs of the head and eye form of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Both animals were from herds housed in a zoologic park in Oklahoma [USA]. Serial transmission of the head and eye form of MCF was accomplished by using whole blood from the gaur into a Hereford-Angus heifer, then whole blood from the heifer into a Holstein calf and finally, whole blood from the calf into a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). A herpesvirus was isolated in bovine cell cultures inoculated with buffy coat cells from the heifer and 2 deer inoculated with this herpesvirus developed the head and eye form of MCF. A deer inoculated with whole blood from the greater kudu also developed clinical signs of MCF and a herpesvirus was subsequently recovered from the deer. Clinical signs of MCF included a mucopurulent catarrh, pyrexia (38.8-42.1.degree. C), anorexia and corneal opacity, and death occurred 15-21 days postinoculation. Viral isolates from the gaur, kudu, heifer and white-tailed deer were identified morphologically as herpesviruses by EM. Each viral isolate produced a cytopathic effect in bovine cell culture which was characterized by the formation of syncytia and intranuclear inclusions. In bovine cells, the cytopathic effect of the viral isolates obtained from the gaur and kudu was inhibited by antisera to the African strain of MCF virus. Immunofluorescence specific for MCF virus was found in bovine cells inoculated with herpesvirus isolated from each of 4 spp. Serologic, morphologic and cytopathic characteristics of the virus isolated from each species indicated that each viral isolate was related to the herpesvirus identified as the wildebeest-derived (African) strain of MCF virus.