Project Number: 6227-21310-009-99
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 01, 2012
End Date: Dec 01, 2012

Objective:
To validate that BHV-1 infect sheep intransally and determine immune responses against the BHV-1 triple gene mutant. The study involves infection of sheep with our recently constructed BHV-1 triple gene mutant virus. Previously, it has been reported that BHV-1 can infect sheep intransally, and also that there is an immune response specific to BHV-1. However, the virus is not transmitted from sheep to sheep. In this project, we will validate the previous findings as well as determine immune responses against the BHV-1 triple gene mutant. The results obtained from this study will be used for future BHV-1 vectored vaccine development against viral diseases of sheep, i.e., Rift Valley Fever Virus.

Approach:
In this study, a group of sheep will be infected transally with a BHV-1 triple gene mutant virus, and virus nasal shedding properties and immune responses against BHV-1 will be investigated. For comparison, uninfected control sheep will also be included in this study.