L'herpèsvirus bovin de type 4 : virus pathogène ou passager?

peer reviewedBovine 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 pathogenicity. 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 post-partum 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