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1 October 2005 Herpesvirus Infection in Woodland Caribou in Alberta, Canada
S. V. Tessaro, D. Deregt, E. Dzus, C. Rohner, K. Smith, T. Gaboury
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Abstract

Sera and genital swabs collected from 121 adult woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in five subpopulations in northern Alberta, Canada, between December 1997 and October 1999, were examined for evidence of infection with herpesviruses or pestiviruses. No virus was isolated from sera or swabs, and no antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus were detected. However, 63 (52%) of the 121 animals had neutralizing antibody titers against bovine herpesvirus 1. There was sufficient serum from 37 of the 121 caribou to allow parallel testing for antibodies against a new alphaherpesvirus isolated from an elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and 20 animals had antibodies against this virus. Paired sera collected 11 mo apart from 14 caribou showed seroconversion in seven animals, indicating that an active herpesvirus infection was present. Virus neutralization data suggest that these caribou are infected with a distinct alphaherpesvirus.

Tessaro, Deregt, Dzus, Rohner, Smith, and Gaboury: Herpesvirus Infection in Woodland Caribou in Alberta, Canada
S. V. Tessaro, D. Deregt, E. Dzus, C. Rohner, K. Smith, and T. Gaboury "Herpesvirus Infection in Woodland Caribou in Alberta, Canada," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41(4), 803-805, (1 October 2005). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-41.4.803
Received: 10 March 2005; Published: 1 October 2005
KEYWORDS
Cervidae
herpesvirus
pestivirus
Rangifer
serology
woodland caribou
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