National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH)

Topics in Animal Health Research 2008

08. Development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that can distinguish between live attenuated vaccines for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in Japan and field isolates

Japanese

  Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is caused by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). The disease is characterized by clinical signs in the upper respiratory tract such as purulent nasal discharge, and by conjunctivitis. Conventional live modified vaccines have been widely used to control IBR virus infection in Japan. However, since no genetic marker has been identified in the vaccine strain, the vaccine strain cannot be distinguished from wild-type strains. We have developed a PCR that can distinguish quickly whether the virus is a vaccine or a field isolate. The PCR products derived from field isolates resulted in fragment sizes of 1,850 bp, while those from the vaccine strain were smaller. This PCR could become an important tool for the diagnosis and control of IBR in Japan.
(Research Team for Viral Diseases, TEL +81-29-838-7708)

Reference:

Kamiyoshi, T., et al. (2008) Vaccine. 26: 477-485.

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