A comparison in calves of the antigenicity of three strains of bovid herpesvirus 2.

Three strains of bovid herpesvirus 2, viz. Allerton, bovine mammillitis and 69/1LO were used to infect calves intradermally. Twenty-eight days later the immunity of the calves was challenged by intravenous injection of a homologous or heterologous strain. Challenge control calves developed a fever (greater than 40 degrees C) lasting several days and widespread skin lesions which varied with the strain. Homologous challenge of the primary infection produced neither skin lesions nor febrile response, except in one calf in which fever was noted on one day. Heterologous challenge did not cause skin lesions but fever occurred in 8/12 calves. In particular Allerton virus failed to protect completely against heterologous challenge. Despite minor differences evident in these experiments, it is recommended that these isolates should be considered as strains of the same virus--bovid herpesvirus 2.