Genetic and antigenic diversity of Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1

Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1) is a virus that belongs to the Varicellovirus genus within the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. While BuHV-1 infections in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are often subclinical, clinical manifestations have been reported. This study provides complete genome sequences of five BuHV-1 strains isolated in Argentina, marking the first genomic characterization of BuHV-1 from the Americas. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on whole-genome and coding sequences, along with analyses of glycoproteins C, D, and E, identified a distinct clade and divergent strains. Comparative genomic analyses with publicly available BuHV-1 and Bovine alphaherpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) sequences showed nucleotide divergence of up to 1.3% among BuHV-1 strains, indicating significant intraspecific genetic diversity. Cross-neutralization assays revealed variable relationships between BuHV-1 and BoHV-5 strains. Some Argentinian BuHV-1 strains exhibited significant antigenic subtype differences compared to Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1). Recombination analyses uncovered events between BuHV-1 and bovine herpesviruses, suggesting a complex evolutionary history within mixed farming systems. The findings indicate that the monophyletic BuHV-1 clade, including the reference BuHV-1 isolate, is representative of the BuHV-1 species. The remaining strains, provisionally classified as BuHV-1 indeterminate (BuHV-1i), can be categorized based on specific clinical and antigenic properties. The identified heterogeneity has significant implications for diagnostic accuracy, vaccine development, and disease management strategies in buffalo populations worldwide.

Instituto de Virología

Fil: Tau, Rocio Lucia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Tau, Rocio Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Marandino, Ana. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Biología. Sección Genética Evolutiva; Uruguay

Fil: Torales, Fatima Anabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Torales, Fatima Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Campos, Fabricio. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Institute of Basic Health Sciences. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology. Laboratory of Bioinformatics & Biotechnology; Brasil

Fil: Roehe, Paulo Michel. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Institute of Basic Health Sciences. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology. Virology Laboratory; Brasil

Fil: Konrad, José Luis. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina

Fil: Romera, Sonia Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Romera, Sonia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Romera, Sonia Alejandra. Universidad del Salvador. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias. Instituto de Investigación Veterinaria; Argentina

Fil: Pérez, Ruben. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Ciencias. Instituto de Biología. Sección Genética Evolutiva; Uruguay

Fil: Maidana, Silvina Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Maidana, Silvina Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Maidana, Silvina Soledad. Universidad del Salvador. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias. Instituto de Investigación Veterinaria; Argentina