Herpesvirus Skin Infections

Herpesviridae

• Cutaneous lesions may develop with nondermatotropic viruses:
  • Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpes virus - 1)
  • Equine coital exanthema (equine herpes virus - 3)
  • Feline herpes virus -1 (rarely)
• Dermatotropic viruses:

Bovine Herpesvirus 2

• May be latent and reappear at times of stress
• Grossly:
  • Vesicles, ulcers, crusts
• Microscopically:
  • Intraepidermal vesicle
  • Epidermal cell degeneration
  • Acantholysis
  • Syncytial cells may form
  • Intracellular inclusion bodies may be found at edges of ulcers
  • Rapid necrosis