Experimental intravaginal infection of goats with caprine herpesvirus 1

Three adult goats, seronegative to caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV.1), were int ravaginally inoculated with BA.1 strain of CpHV.1. The animals were kept un der observation for 1 month and daily both clinical examinations and white blood cell count were performed. Ocular, nasal, rectal and vaginal swabs an d heparinized blood samples were collected every day to attempt virus isola tion on cell cultures and detect viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PC R) assay. The virus was isolated and detected by PCR only from the Vaginal swabs for 5-7 days post-infection. The animals showed transient fever and l eukopenia and typical necrotic lesions on the vulva and vagina.