A comparative evaluation of avidin-biotin ELISA and micro SNT for detection of antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in cattle population of Odisha, India

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is caused by Bovine Herpes Virus-1(BHV-1), a member of the genus Varicellovirus in the sub-family Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae and order Herpesvirales. Virions are enveloped and variably sized (approximately120–250 nm in diameter), containing an icosahedral nucleocapsid composed of 162 capsomers. Genome is linear double-stranded DNA, 125–290 kbp in size [1].The virion contains about 70 proteins, of which 11 are envelope glycoproteins. Glycoprotein gB, gC and gD are of major importance followed byadditional glycoproteins (gE, gI, gH, gL, gG, gK and gM), thymidine kinase. BHV-1 virus has been divided into subtypes like BHV-1.1, BHV-1.2, and BHV-1.3. Among them, BHV1.1 is mostly related to the respiratory syndrome, BHV1.2 to genital infections, and BHV-1.3/BHV-5 is associated with neurological disorders of the cattle. However, all subtypes were found to be antigenically similar[2]. IBR has proved to be a serious threat to the bovine population, associating itself with variety of clinical syndromes involving ocular, respiratory and genital tract. Secondary bacterial infections, latency and poor prevention measures further adds to the sequelae of the disease, thus complicating recovery and generating an eminent threat of spontaneous reoccurrence.The productivity and re-productivity of the animals is greatly decreased as an outcome of the disease [3]. After being reported for the first time in India in the year 1976 the disease has shown many occurrences in various regions of the country with severe economic damage to the dairy industry [4]. It is one of the most widespread respiratory/ reproductive viral diseases of bovines in India [5] and prompt detection and control measures are essential to check the transmission and propagation of the virus.An infection normally elicits immune response within Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/August-2014/1.pdf