FREQUÊNCIA DE ANTICORPOS CONTRA O HERPESVÍRUS BOVINO TIPO 1 (BHV-1) EM BOVINOS LEITEIROS NÃO VACINADOS NA BACIA LEITEIRA DA ILHA DE SÃO LUÍS-MA

This study assesses the frequency of antibodies against Herpesvirus Type 1 (BHV-1) in dairy cattle raised on the island of Sao Luis, Maranhao. Blood samples from 156 cows that were not vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) were analyzed by the indirect ELISA technique. The research was carried out in 16 dairy farms located in 4 different municipalities. Serum samples were collected from females with or without clinical signs of IBR and were stratified according to age band. Results revealed that 67,50% of animals (n=108) were positive for IBR, and seropositivity was evidenced in all 4 municipalities and farms. This is the first report of high incidence of IBR infection on the island of Sao Luis.