A study of a herpesvirus isolated from dairy cattle with a history of reproductive disorders

Three strains of herpesvirus were recovered from cows with vulvovaginitis. The three isolates (85/BH 16TV, 85/BH 17TV, 85/BH 18TV), when compared by cross serum neutralization (SN) tests, were found to be antigenically identical. They were serologically distinct from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and Bovid herpesvirus 2 (BHV2), while they cross reacted with bovine herpesvirus DN-599. Besides the serologic aspects, the three isolates appeared to share common biological, physical and morphological properties with the newly recognized bovine herpesviruses, of which DN-599 is a representative strain.