Alphaherpesvirus in Pets and Livestock

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Herpesviruses are DNA viruses infecting various mammals, including pets and livestock.
• Four common alphaherpesviruses (feline, swine, canine, bovine) are prevalent in animals.
• These viruses can cause significant economic losses and pose potential zoonotic risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology, immune evasion strategies, and latency/reactivation of common animal alphaherpesviruses.
• To highlight the potential for cross-species transmission of these viruses.
• To provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of animal herpesvirus diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on feline, swine, canine, and bovine alphaherpesviruses.
• Analysis of epidemiological data, immune evasion mechanisms, and latency/reactivation patterns.
• Synthesis of information on viral characteristics and host-pathogen interactions.

Main Results:

• Animal alphaherpesviruses exhibit diverse epidemiological patterns and employ sophisticated immune evasion tactics.
• Latency and reactivation are key features, leading to recurrent disease in infected animals.
• Genetic mutations and recombination facilitate cross-species transmission, increasing disease complexity.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of animal alphaherpesviruses is essential for veterinary medicine.
• Knowledge of immune evasion and latency aids in developing effective control strategies.
• This review provides critical insights for managing herpesvirus infections in animals and assessing zoonotic potential.