First Complete Coding Sequence of Ovine Herpesvirus 2 from a Malignant Catarrhal Fever Case of Formosan Sambar Deer in Taiwan: Genomic Characterization and Molecular Epidemiology.

First complete OvHV-2 genome from Taiwan reveals European evolutionary origin with genetic variations.

This study presents the first complete coding sequence of ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) from Taiwan, isolated from a Formosan sambar deer with malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Using hybrid whole-genome sequencing, researchers reconstructed the OvHV-2 TW01 genome (approximately 131 kb) encoding 74 predicted open reading frames. Comparative analysis with three reference genomes revealed high amino acid conservation (93-100%) across most loci, with notable divergence in ORF73 and Ov9.5 genes. ORF73 displayed characteristic latency-associated nuclear antigen features including C-terminal glutamate/glycine-rich insertions and flanking heptapeptide repeats. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses demonstrated that TW01 clusters within a European-associated lineage, distinct from Chinese OvHV-2 strains, with Ov9.5 showing 100% identity to a United Kingdom-reported allele. These findings expand genomic resources for OvHV-2, elucidate evolutionary relationships and transmission origins, and enhance molecular surveillance capabilities for this economically significant pathogen affecting cattle and wild ruminants.

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