Endometritis in postparturient cattle associated with bovine herpesvirus-4 infection: 15 cases

• Published in: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation Vol. 13; no. 6; p. 502
• Main Authors: Frazier, K, Pence, M, Mauel, M J, Liggett, A, Hines, 2nd, M E, Sangster, L, Lehmkuhl, H D, Miller, D, Styer, E, West, J, Baldwin, C A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - pathology; Cattle Diseases - virology; DNA, Viral - analysis; Endometritis - pathology; Endometritis - veterinary; Endometritis - virology; Female; Herpesviridae Infections - pathology; Herpesviridae Infections - veterinary; Herpesvirus 4, Bovine - genetics; Herpesvirus 4, Bovine - isolation & purification; Herpesvirus 4, Bovine - pathogenicity; Microscopy, Electron; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Postpartum Period; Tumor Virus Infections - pathology; Tumor Virus Infections - veterinary; Uterus - pathology; Uterus - virology
• ISSN: 1040-6387
• DOI: 10.1177/104063870101300608

Suppurative, ulcerative endometritis associated with bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) infection was identified in 15 postparturient dairy cows from 5 separate dairies. Characteristic eosinophilic to amphophilic intranuclear viral inclusion bodies were identified within degenerate endometrial lining epithelium and endothelial cells. Bovine herpesvirus-4 was confirmed as the etiology by a combination of fluorescent antibody assays, viral isolation, heminested PCR, ultrastructural examination of the uterus and inoculated tissue culture cells, and negative-stain electron microscopy of tissue culture supernatant. Viral particles measuring 70-95 nm were demonstrated in uterine epithelial and endothelial cells by electron microscopy. Bacteria including Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and an alpha-Streptococcus isolate were isolated from all uteri. Bovine herpesvirus-4-associated endometritis has been previously reported in sporadic cases in Europe but has not been previously reported in the United States. Endometritis associated with BHV-4 appears to be an emerging syndrome in Georgia dairy herds.