Bovine herpesvirus 2
Encyclopedia
Bovine herpesvirus 2 is a virus
of the family Herpesviridae
that causes two diseases in cattle
, bovine mammillitis and pseudo-lumpyskin disease. BHV-2 is similar in structure to human herpes simplex virus
. The strain of BHV-2 that causes pseudo-lumpyskin disease is also known as the Allerton virus.
Pseudo-lumpyskin disease is found most commonly in southern Africa. It was originally discovered in South Africa
where a similar but more serious disease caused by a poxvirus, lumpyskin disease
, is also prevalent. Symptoms include fever and skin nodules on the face, back, and perineum
. The disease heals within a few weeks. Bovine mammillitis is characterized by lesions restricted to the teats and udder
. BHV-2 probably spreads through an arthropod
vector, but can also be spread through milkers and milking machines.
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
of the family Herpesviridae
Herpesviridae
The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans. The members of this family are also known as herpesviruses. The family name is derived from the Greek word herpein , referring to the latent, recurring infections typical of this group of viruses...
that causes two diseases in cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, bovine mammillitis and pseudo-lumpyskin disease. BHV-2 is similar in structure to human herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious...
. The strain of BHV-2 that causes pseudo-lumpyskin disease is also known as the Allerton virus.
Pseudo-lumpyskin disease is found most commonly in southern Africa. It was originally discovered in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
where a similar but more serious disease caused by a poxvirus, lumpyskin disease
Lumpyskin disease
Lumpyskin disease is a disease caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as Neethling virus. It mainly affects cattle and zebus, but has also been seen in giraffes, African buffalo, and impalas...
, is also prevalent. Symptoms include fever and skin nodules on the face, back, and perineum
Perineum
In human anatomy, the perineum is a region of the body including the perineal body and surrounding structures...
. The disease heals within a few weeks. Bovine mammillitis is characterized by lesions restricted to the teats and udder
Udder
An udder is an organ formed of the mammary glands of female quadruped mammals, especially ruminants such as cattle, goats, sheep and deer. The udder is a single mass hanging beneath the animal, consisting of pairs of mammary glands...
. BHV-2 probably spreads through an arthropod
Arthropod
An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton , a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda , and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others...
vector, but can also be spread through milkers and milking machines.