Serological and virological studies on the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in Algeria.

Clinical cases of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and infectious pustular vulvovaginitis were observed within the cattle population in Algeria. The isolation and identification of six bovine herpes virus type 1 strains from diseased cattle and the serological surveys undertaken in the central region of the country on 2948 sera revealed a 20.5% incidence of IBR infections in Algeria. The DNA restriction profiles of the isolated strains showed the existence of only the BHV1-2a subtype associated with the endemic infections in Algerian cattle. These results emphasized also the lack of correlation between the observed clinical symptoms and the DNA restriction pattern of the isolated herpes virus strain. The plans for disease control are based mainly on the application of strict control measures at the borders for avoiding the introduction of other BHV1 subtypes.