Bovine herpesvirus type 4: a pathogenic or transient virus?

Bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BHV-4) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus in cattle. It has been Isolated from animals showing a wide variety of clinical signs but few of the isolates have proven experimental pathocenicity Species that are susceptible to BHV-4 include animals other than ruminants, notably cats and, surprisingly, a primate the owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus). BHV-4 exists as a latent infection in mononuclear cells In cattle, BHV-4 has been isolated in animals exhibiting ocular and respiratory conditions and it has been found in females with genital tract conditions such as postpartum metritis and vulvovaginitis. There is some epidemiological and experimental evidence that BHV-4 may be a cause of bovine abortion There Is no vaccine available in Europe and prevention Is exclusively by hygiene measures (I photo. 2 figures. 1 box, 57 references).