Molecular detection and genetic characterization of ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) in sheep in the Philippines

Abstract Ovine gammaherpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) and is a fatal disease of some ruminants such as cattle, water buffalo and even-toed ungulates (such as deer, other cervids and some species of pigs). OvHV-2, however, was never reported to be present in the Philippines. Thus, this study is conducted. Out of 89 sheep blood samples from 6 farms, 58 (65.17 %) were positive for OvHV-2 using semi-Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting the tegument gene. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the OvHV-2 sequences from sheep in the Philippines are nearly identical to the OvHV-2 sequences of animals from Brazil and Germany and 98 % identical to sequences from Turkey, India, Egypt, UK, and Mongolia. To date, this is the first report of OvHV-2 in the Philippines and could provide information in the future for the control and prevention of SA-MCF in the country.