Study of Herpesvirus in Argentinean water Buffalos

MAIDANA, S.S.; MULKENS, B.; CRUDELLI, G.; BENITEZ, D.; THIRY E.; ROMERA, S.A.

Santiago. Chile.

Congreso; XXVI World Buiatrics Congress 2010; 2010

XXVI World Buiatrics Congress, c/o Kenes Latin America – Global Congress Organizers and Association Management Services

Buffalo meat and milk production is an important economical alternative that opens the door to national and international markets. Little is known about the prevalence and circulation of pathogenic viruses in this specie, their participation in clinical manifestations and the possible role of buffalos as reservoirs of endemic diseases. Within this framework, the study of viral agents present in buffalos becomes relevant. The aim of our work was to study the seroprevalence of herpesviruses in serum samples from the Argentinean provinces of Corrientes and Chaco. Seventy five water buffalos sera were tested. Cross-seroneutralization tests (100 infectious doses) were carried out to measure specific neutralizing antibodies. Buffalo sera collected were tested in an 18 h incubation seroneutralization against Buffalo herpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1), Bovine herpesvirus1 (BoHV-1) and Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5). Plates were incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2 for 72 h until the final reading, determining the presence or absence of cytopathic effect. Twenty four sera were negative for the three viruses. Fifty one samples of sera reacted to at least two of the viruses. Six of fifty one buffalo’s sera presented a higher title against BoHV-1. Two of fifty one buffalo’s sera presented a higher title against BoHV-5. Four of fifty buffalo’s sera presented a higher title against BuHV-1. The other 39 seropositive samples to of three viruses will need further dilutions to determine the specific concentration of antibodies for each virus. These data confirm the circulation of Alphaherpesviruses in water buffalos in Argentina.