Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpesvirus-1 [BHV-1]) in unvaccinated cattle in southern Veracruz, Mexico. The study was conducted from September 2007 to March 2009. A total of 968 serum samples from 83 herds were analyzed through ELISA test to determine the presence of antibodies against BHV-1. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate the specific seroprevalence with the SPSS software, and the Vassar Stats software was used to calculate the confidence intervals of the specific prevalence and to determine the risk factors. Overall seroprevalence was 64.5%. The dairy cattle showed the highest seroprevalence (72.4%) and the dual-purpose cattle the lowest (61.7%). The 7-year-old cattle showed the highest seroprevalence (91.9%) and the 1-year-old females (11.8%) the lowest.  The cows with ³ 6 calvings showed the highest seroprevalence (82.4%) and the pubertal heifers the lowest (19.4%). Seroprevalence in bulls was 100%. In cows with or without history of abortions, seroprevalence was 76.5 and 72.1%, respectively. The risk factors associated with BHV-1 infection were the dual-purpose cattle, 6-year-old cattle, and all the reproductive stages, except pubertal heifers. In conclusion, BHV-1 infection is present in cattle in southern Veracruz, Mexico.

Key words: IBR, BHV-1, seroprevalence, risk factor, beef cattle, dairy cattle, dual-purposecattle.