Pathogenicity of a caprine herpesvirus
Berrios, P.E.; McKercher, D.G.; Knight, H.D.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 36(12): 1763-1769
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 173212 Document Number: 89917
A herpesvirus isolated from neonatal Angora kids (Capra hircus) with a relatively severe generalized infection was shown to be infective for adult goats as well as for kids. However, the virus lacked pathogenicity for either lambs or calves. Although a nonreciprocating serological overlap exists between the caprine virus and the antibody to bovine herpesvirus (BHV-1), results of cross immunity tests in calves indicated that the 2 viruses are immunologically distinct. On the basis of these findings, the caprine virus seems to be a specific pathogen of goats. Accordingly, the designation of Herpesvirus caprae or caprine herpesvirus 1 seems taxonomically appropriate.