Bovine herpesvirus 2

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Bovine herpesvirus 2
Virus classification
Group: Group I (dsDNA)
Family: Herpesviridae
Genus: Simplexvirus
Species: Bovine herpesvirus 2 (BHV-2)

Bovine herpesvirus 2 (BHV-2) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that causes two diseases in cattle, bovine mammillitis and pseudo-lumpyskin disease. BHV-2 is similar in structure to human herpes simplex virus. The strain of BHV-2 that causes pseudo-lumpyskin disease is also known as the Allerton virus.[1]

Pseudo-lumpyskin disease is found most commonly in southern Africa. It was originally discovered in South Africa where a similar but more serious disease caused by a poxvirus, lumpyskin disease, is also prevalent. Symptoms include fever and skin nodules on the face, back, and perineum. The disease heals within a few weeks. Bovine mammillitis is characterized by lesions restricted to the teats and udder. BHV-2 probably spreads through an arthropod vector,[2] but can also be spread through milkers and milking machines.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Carter, G.R.; Flores, E.F.; Wise, D.J. (2006). Herpesviridae. A Concise Review of Veterinary Virology. Retrieved on 2006-06-04.
  2. ^ Fenner, Frank J.; Gibbs, E. Paul J.; Murphy, Frederick A.; Rott, Rudolph; Studdert, Michael J.; White, David O. (1993). Veterinary Virology (2nd ed.). Academic Press, Inc. ISBN 0-12-253056-X.