Molecular epidemiolgy of ovine herpesvirus-2 in small ruminants, Sistan region, Iran

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a systemic, sporadic, and fatal viral disease affecting susceptible hosts such as cattle, buffalo, deer, etc. Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) is the main cause of MCF in livestock. OvHV-2 infects sheep and goats asymptomatically, playing a significant role in the virus circulation. in this study the prevalence of OvHV-2 in sheep (n:42) and goats(n:52) through molecular tests conducted in the Sistan region located in the north of Sistan&- Baluchestan province, Iran. OvHV-2 POL and ORF75 Tegument Protein genes were detected in 15/100 samples through Hemi-Nested PCR (15%). BLAST results show 100% identity to the isolations reports from Pakistan (MK852172), Brazil (OP121121), Turkey (MN419921), Egypt (ON952534) and India (OR762746). There was no significant relationship between the virus prevalence and independent variables, including species, age and gender of the animal, clinical symptoms, herd size and location of livestock. These findings indicate that OvHV-2 is circulating in the Sistan region, causing MCF. Since traditional livestock farming is common in the region, carrier species and susceptible hosts are kept together, which is a risk factor for virus transmission to susceptible hosts like cattle. To control and prevent the disease, it is essential to consider separating different livestock species in the region.