Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A molecular genetic approach to improved animal health. The effect of interferon genotype on the severity of experimental bovine herpesvirus-1 infection.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice
- Year:
- 1997
- Authors:
- Ryan, A M & Womack, J E
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.
Plain-English summary
Recent research has shown that the genetic makeup of cattle can influence how severely they are affected by certain viral infections, specifically Bovine Herpesvirus-1. Scientists have identified specific genetic variations in a group of genes called interferons, which play a role in the immune response to viruses. In a study with unrelated cattle, certain interferon gene types were linked to more severe disease symptoms after infection. This understanding could lead to new ways to improve cattle health and reduce the financial losses caused by these diseases. Overall, the findings suggest that targeting these genetic factors may help in managing viral infections in cattle more effectively.
Abstract
In the past decade, biotechnology has brought veterinary medicine an increased understanding of the effects of genetic background on disease resistance and production traits. Specific point mutations have been identified for a number of genetic diseases and genetic testing; selective breeding programs can eliminate these diseases from the population. Complex traits such as disease resistance and production traits are thought to be under the control of multiple genes, making their manipulation more difficult. Because of their antiviral and immune modulating properties, interferons may be a role in the host defense against viral infection. The Type I interferon gene family has been detailed in cattle and consists of approximately 32 genes clustered together on bovine chromosome 8. These genes are very polymorphic in the population, enabling studies on the association between alleles at specific interferon loci and the severity of clinical diseases following experimental Bovine Herpesvirus-1 infection. Associations were observed between specific IFN genotypes and increased severity of clinical disease in a population of unrelated cattle. With a better understanding of IFNs at the genetic level, it may eventually be possible to manipulate the IFN response for the therapeutic benefit of cattle, and lessen the economic impact of specific diseases on cattle producers.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9368986/