Evaluation of total oxidative stress and total antioxidant status in cows with natural bovine herpesvirus-1 infection

Viruses, including herpes viruses, can alter oxidative balance by either increasing the formation of free radicals or inhibiting synthesis of enzymes involved in oxidative defense within host cells. This study examined the occurrence of oxidative and antioxidative balance in cows naturally infected with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) under field conditions. Clinical history indicated that cows had been sick and showed mild to severe respiratory signs, characterized by dullness, coughing, and lacrimation, and a high febrile response. All samples obtained from the infected animals during clinical examination were confirmed as positive for bovine herpesvirus type 1 by PCR. Control cows showed no clinical abnormalities and PCR results were negative. Total antioxidative status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and some biochemical parameters were measured. The level of total antioxidative status was significantly lower in infected animals, compared with the healthy control group (P = 0.025). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups for total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the infected groups, with respect to concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, monocyte, and erythrocyte (P < 0.05). On the other hand, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine kinase concentrations significantly increased in the cows infected with BHV-1. In conclusion, the data obtained hereby explained that animals with infected BHV-1 seemed to have more oxidative stress and low antioxidant defense. Moreover, future research conductance is needed on antioxidative and oxidative balance to understand pathophysiology of BHV-1 infections.