Abstract
Aujeszky’s disease in cattle is caused by Suid herpes virus 1. The
natural infection has been reported worldwide in bovine species and it
is connected to direct and indirect contact with infected suids, which
represent the main reservoir of the disease. Here is reported the first
documented outbreak of Aujeszky’s disease in cattle in Sicily (Italy).
Severe itching and nonspecific neurological symptoms were the main
reported clinical signs. No characteristic gross and histological
features were reported rather than cutaneous lesions caused by excessive
pruritus and hyperaemia, haemorrhages and inflammation in the central
nervous system. Diagnosis was confirmed by real time PCR and
immunohistochemistry on the nervous tissue. The route of infection
remained unknown, but serological data observed in pigs living in close
cohabitation with cattle revealed a circulation of a wild strain of the
virus in the area. This study contributes to a better knowledge of this
disease in an aberrant host and suggests the need of increase the
prophylaxis control plans in specific breeding contexts.