Persistent infection with bovine herpesvirus type 1: rabbit model.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Ophthalmology
• Immunology

Background:

• Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) can establish persistent infections in various hosts.
• Ocular manifestations and reactivation patterns of BHV-1 are critical for understanding disease pathogenesis.
• The rabbit model is frequently used to study herpesvirus latency and reactivation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and characterize persistent bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) infection in a rabbit model.
• To investigate spontaneous and induced reactivation of BHV-1.
• To determine the localization of viral shedding during reactivation events.

Main Methods:

• Conjunctival inoculation of rabbits with BHV-1 to establish persistent infection.
• Observation of spontaneous viral reactivation and ocular lesion development.
• Administration of dexamethasone to induce viral reactivation.
• BHV-1 isolation from ocular swabs during reactivation periods.

Main Results:

• Persistent BHV-1 infection was successfully established in all inoculated rabbits.
• Spontaneous BHV-1 reactivation occurred, with or without recurrent ocular lesions.
• Dexamethasone administration predictably induced BHV-1 reactivation and shedding in all infected rabbits.
• Viral isolation during all reactivation events was exclusively from the inoculated eye.

Conclusions:

• Rabbits serve as a viable model for studying persistent BHV-1 infection and reactivation.
• Dexamethasone is an effective agent for inducing BHV-1 reactivation in persistently infected rabbits.
• BHV-1 reactivation and shedding are localized to the site of initial infection in this model.