Identification of a Novel α-herpesvirus Associated with Ulcerative Stomatitis in Donkeys

Abstract

An outbreak of ulcerative stomatitis was observed in a donkey (Equus asinus) dairy herd. Similar lesions were also observed on the dams’ udders and, sporadically, in genital areas. The lesions typically resolved in 1–3 weeks. An α-herpesvirus, Varicellovirus, genetically related to equid herpesvirus type 3, was identified.

Keywords

• donkeys
• EHV
• equids
• Equus asinus
• glycoproteins
• herpesviruses