Gammaherpesvirus carrier status of black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) in South Africa

dc.contributor.authorPretorius, J.A.
dc.contributor.authorOosthuizen, Marinda C.
dc.contributor.authorVan Vuuren, Moritz
dc.date.accessioned2009-02-27T07:22:00Z
dc.date.available2009-02-27T07:22:00Z
dc.date.issued2008-09
dc.description.abstractMalignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an economically important disease primarily of domestic cattle with a high case fatality rate. It is caused by either alcelaphine herpesvirus type 1 (AlHV-1) or ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2). The major reservoir host of AlHV-1 is the blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), but it is generally accepted that the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) is also a reservoir host. No viral studies in the black wildebeest have been reported and the carrier status of black wildebeest has not been documented. Specimens were collected from several game farms and conservation areas in central South Africa representing the geographical area historically linked to the natural habitat of the black wildebeest. Specimens were obtained from 304 black wildebeest of different ages and sex, as well as 51 black wildebeest foetuses at different stages of gestation. Virus was isolated from a black wildebeest calf. Morphological features and antigenic characteristics suggested it to be a gammaherpesvirus closely related to AlHV-1. All serum samples tested positive with a competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA) for group-specific malignant catarrhal fever virus antibody. ASYBR Green real-time PCR assay was developed for the detection of gammaherpesviral DNA. Only 15.8 % of the animals tested positive with the real-time PCR assay whereas 90 % of the foetuses tested positive. This finding suggests that, unlike OvHV-2 infection in lambs in which the infection takes place after weaning, the virus in black wildebeest is mainly transmitted in utero or soon after birth. The results suggest that black wildebeest are latent carriers of a gammaherpesvirus similar or closely related to AlHV-1 present in blue wildebeest and that it is likely that all black wildebeest are persistently infected.en
dc.identifier.citationPretorius, JA, Oosthuizen, MC & Van Vuuren, M 2008, 'Gammaherpesvirus carrier status of black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) in South Africa', Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, vol. 79, no. 3, pp. 136-141. [http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_savet.html]en
dc.identifier.issn0038-2809
dc.identifier.other7004572625
dc.identifier.other7004592997
dc.identifier.otherN-8706-2014
dc.identifier.otherN-9080-2014
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/9079
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherSouth African Veterinary Associationen
dc.relation.requiresAdobe Acrobat Readeren
dc.rightsSouth African Veterinary Associationen
dc.subjectAlcelaphine herpesvirus type 1en
dc.subjectBlack wildebeesten
dc.subjectConnochaetes gnouen
dc.subjectGammaherpesvirusen
dc.subjectMalignant catarrhal feveren
dc.subject.lcshWhite-tailed gnuen
dc.subject.lcshHerpesvirus diseases in animals -- South Africaen
dc.subject.lcshMalignant catarrhal feveren
dc.titleGammaherpesvirus carrier status of black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) in South Africaen
dc.typeArticleen

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