Sequencing and analysis of rflp variations in bulgarian caprine herpesvirus 1 isolates and differentiation from bovine herpesvirus 1 in goats

Caprineherpesvirus 1 (CapHV1) is related to Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV1) and may cause respiratory and reproductive symptoms. CapHV1 disease pathogenesis is poorly understood and there are few studies on Bulgarian CapHV1 isolates. The aim of this study was to investigate the central region of the glycoprotein C (gC) gene of CapHV1 in fiveBulgarian isolates and compare it with other European and American CapHV1 and a BoHV1 strains. PCR amplifications yielded 414 bp products for the CapHV1 strains and BoHV1. HpaIIandMspI gave different restriction patterns for the gC gene from Bulgarian and American “McK” isolates in comparison to the Western European isolates, but did not cleave the BoHV1gCgene.The sequence analysis identified differences at positions 887, 960, 1000 and 1110 in the CapHV1 gC gene of the Bulgarian isolates. Short sequence repeats were also observed in the studied region. Evolutionary relationships of CapHV1 isolates were identified. The obtained results indicate that the analyzed region of the gC genе could reveal some epizootiological aspects and is suitable for comparing different CapHV1 isolates. PCR and restrictase analysis of the gC gene could be used to distinguish between BoHV1 and CapHV1 infections in goats.