Ecology driven patterns of herpesvirus spread in cervids in Poland

Cervids are considered as a potential hosts for various human and animal pathogens but studies on herpesvirus infections among these species remain limited. We have used a panherpesvirus PCR to investigate herpesvirus diversity and prevalence and a BoHV-4-specific ELISA to assess exposure to BoHV-4. Among 1257 cervids tested for the herpesvirus DNA, 389 (30.9%) were positive. The prevalence was highest among fallow deer (63.9%), followed by red deer (29.8%) and roe deer (19.4%); among captive animals (42.1%) and in forest districts with low (31.2%) or medium (32.9%) forest coverage. No positive cases were found in moose. BoHV-4 specific antibodies were found in 107 out of 1179 (9.1%) tested cervids. Seroprevalence was highest among roe deer (18.7%) and in regions with the highest forest coverage (13.9%). Two gammaherpesvirus species: Fallow deer lymphotropic herpesvirus, Elk gammaherpesvirus 1; and one betaherpesvirus - Capreolus herpesvirus 1 were for the first time identified in Polish deer. Although, none of these viruses is currently considered pathogenic for cervids, the study revealed distinct ecological patterns of herpesvirus circulation among cervid species. These findings expand current knowledge of herpesvirus diversity in Polish cervids and demonstrate the value of herpesvirus surveillance for understanding pathogen transmission and wildlife-livestock interactions.