Genetic variability of bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BoHV-4) field strains from Turkish cattle herds

Bovine herpesvirus type 4 (BoHV‑4) is a common virus in the world that is detected in clinically ill or in apparently healthy cattle. This study provides a molecular characterization of BoHV‑4 strains from 24 cattle some showing respiratory and/or reproductive problems and some without any apparent clinical sign. This study also reported the growth properties of five BoHV‑4 field isolates. The 24 sampled cattle came from 13 different herds in 10 provinces collected between 2007 and 2018. Phylogenetic analysis using partially amplified nucleotide sequences of ORF8 genes coding glycoprotein B (n = 24) and ORF3 genes coding thymidine kinase (n = 9), demonstrated genetic variability among the BoHV‑4 strains analysed. The partial gB gene sequences clustered in three different genotypes (genotype I, II and III) were located within the genotype I cluster, such as Movar strain. The analysis of the five BoHV‑4 strains isolated from vaginal swabs (n = 2), nasal swab (n = 1), and brain samples (n = 2) revealed no significant differences in their growth properties in MDBK cell culture.