Spread of bovine virus diarrhoea virus in a herd of heifer calves.

A calf persistently infected and immunotolerant to Bovine Virus Diarrhoea virus (BVD virus) was, on purpose, introduced to a herd of heifer calves over 4 months of age that had been reared as recipients for embryo transplantation. All calves were brought in contact with the persistently infected animal. In total, 240 calves were involved in this experiment, 22 of which were serologically negative when introduced. These serologically negative animals developed antibodies against BVD virus within 5 months after introduction. At short distances from the persistently infected BVD virus shedder, negative calves seroconverted within 2 months, but at greater distances the moment of seroconversion was unpredictable. The calves that had undergone a natural infection with BVD virus received embryos after transportation to an allied farm. In total, 14 calves were born after embryo transplantation, all of which were free of BVD virus, in spite of the presence of BVD-virus on the latter farm.     

Spread of Bovine Virus Diarrhoea virus in a herd of heifer calves

Summary

A calf persistently infected and immunotolerant to Bovine Virus Diarrhoea virus (BVD virus) was, on purpose, introduced to a herd of heifer calves over 4 months of age that had been reared as recipients for embryo transplantation.

All calves were brought in contact with the persistently infected animal. In total, 240 calves were involved in this experiment, 22 of which were serologically negative when introduced. These serologically negative animals developed antibodies against BVD virus within 5 months after introduction. At short distances from the persistently infected BVD virus shedder, negative calves seroconverted within 2 months, but at greater distances the moment of seroconversion was unpredictable.

The calves that had undergone a natural infection with BVD virus received embryos after transportation to an allied farm. In total, 14 calves were born after embryo transplantation, all of which were free of BVD virus, in spite of the presence of BVD‐virus on the latter farm.     

Intrauterine infection with bovine virus diarrhoea virus on alpine communal pastures in Switzerland

This study involved 13 calves, one to 50 days of age, born to first calf heifers that had been pastured on one of seven alpine communal pastures in the canton of St. Gallen during the summer of 1995. Of a total of 993 cattle pastured, 61 were pregnant heifers that were negative for bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) antigen and for BVD antibodies at the start of pasturing. Seroconversion occurred in 26 of these pregnant heifers during the pasture period. Blood samples and skin biopsy specimens of calves born to 13 of these were examined for BVD antigen by antigen-ELISA and by an immunohistochemical technique, respectively. Blood samples were positive for BVD antigen in four calves, questionable in one calf, negative in seven and missing in one prematurely born calf. The four calves that were positive for BVD antigen in the blood were also positive in skin biopsies. Of the seven calves with a negative or missing blood test, six had positive and two had negative skin samples. Based on the combined results of blood and skin testing, 11 of 13 calves were positive for BVD antigen. Of the 11 infected calves, six were normal at birth, four were smaller than normal and one was premature and weak and was euthanized on humane grounds. Of the four small calves, two developed diarrhoea and died within the first month of life. The two calves that were negative for BVD antigen were clinically normal. The results of this study not only demonstrate the occurrence of in-utero infection with BVD virus, but also stress the importance of alpine communal pasturing in the spread of BVD virus. Because the prevention of infection with BVD virus on communal pastures does not seem feasible, it is recommended that all calves born to cows from such pastures be tested for BVD antigen.     

Heifer breeding farms as a source for spreading the BVD virus?

It is well known that, in Switzerland, communal grazing of livestock on alpine pastures plays an important role in the spread of BVD virus. Analogously, we might expect that the communal raising on farms specialising in raising heifers of animals born on different farms would also favour the spread of BVDV. This study investigated whether a persistently infected (PI) breeding heifer kept on this type of farm over a period of 26 months would put the other animals at risk of being infected.The PI-animal was in contact with 75 heifers (here defined as contact animals) on this farm. Thirty-two of the contact animals that were probably pregnant (animals at risk of giving birth to a PI-calf) were moved to 8 different breeding farms (here defined as farms at risk). On these 8 farms, 246 calves were found to be at risk of being infected with BVDV. We examined 78 calves and investigated whether the move of the pregnant animals from their original farm had permitted the virus to spread to these 8 other farms.The contact animals had a seroprevalence of 92% and the animals at risk a seroprevalence of 100%. Only one PI-animal was found on the farms at risk.This BVD infection, however, occurred independently of the PI-breeding animal. Seropositive calves were found only on 2 farms. This study did not provide any proof for a spread of BVDV with the PI-breeding animal as a source; likewise, no persistent infection was proven to exist on the farms at risk. This result is likely to be representative for the endemic situation of BVD in Switzerland. Thus, PI-animals present on heifer raising farms infect calves well before servicing. Hence, no new PI-animals are generated, and the infection becomes self-limiting. When we reconstructed the animal movements between the farms and determined the animals to be examined with the aid of the Swiss national animal traffic database (TVD) we found the data of 37% of the heifers to be incomplete and failed to successfully establish the whereabouts of 3 animals.     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒BVDV-JL株的分离与鉴定

本研究从吉林某牛场表现严重腹泻症状濒死牛的胸腺病料样品中分离一株病毒,该病毒在MDBK细胞中盲传4代无细胞病变产生,而通过RT-PCR和间接免疫荧光试验、微量血清中和试验检测表明该分离病毒株为牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV),并命名为BVDV-JL.将BVDV-JL株F4代细胞培养液(10<'7.13>TCID<,50>/...     

Practices and opinions of New Zealand beef cattle farmers towards bovine viral diarrhoea control in relation to real and perceived herd serological status

ABSTRACT

Aims: To investigate the seroprevalence of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus among 75 beef herds and seroconversion in cattle during early pregnancy, and to determine the practices and opinions of farmers towards BVD control and their association with real and perceived herd serological status.

Methods: Blood samples were collected before mating in 75 beef herds across New Zealand from 15 unvaccinated heifers that had delivered their first calf that season. Serum samples were tested for BVD antibodies using ELISA individually, and after pooling samples for each farm. Animals that were antibody-negative were retested at either pregnancy diagnosis or weaning. Farmers were asked to complete a detailed survey about herd demographics, BVD testing and vaccination practices, and opinions towards national BVD control.

Results: Based on the pooled serum antibody ELISA results, there were 28/75 (37%) negative herds, 15/75 (20%) suspect herds, and 32/75 (43%) positive herds. Of 1,117 animals sampled 729 (65.3%) tested negative for BVD virus antibodies; when retested, 47/589 (8.0%) animals from 13/55 (24%) herds had seroconverted. Among 71 famers providing survey responses 11 (15%) believed their herd was infected with BVD, 24 (34%) were unsure and 36 (51%) did not think their herd was infected. Only 19/71 (18%) farmers had performed any BVD testing within the past 5 years and 50/70 (71%) had not vaccinated any cattle for BVD. Support for national BVD eradication programme was strong in 51/71 (56%) respondents, but the biggest challenge to BVD control was considered to be famer compliance. Compared to farmers who did not think their herd was infected, more farmers who thought BVD was present in their herds had previously tested for BVD, would consider testing all replacement calves, and would support establishing a national BVD database; fewer would consider purchasing BVD tested or vaccinated cattle only.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Only 15% of the beef farmers in this study believed their herds were infected with BVD virus and few of them had undertaken BVD screening. Nevertheless many were supportive of implementing a national BVD control programme. It is likely that the lack of farmer awareness around BVD and the failure of farmers to recognise the potential impacts in their herds are hindering progress in controlling the disease in New Zealand. There are opportunities for New Zealand veterinarians to be more proactive in helping beef farmers explore BVD management options.     

Comparison of the pneumopathogenicity of two strains of bovine viral diarrhea virus

The pneumopathogenicity in calves of 2 strains of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, isolate 2724 (a noncytopathogenic virus) and isolate 72 (a cytopathogenic virus), was compared. All calves were inoculated endobronchially, using fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Two calves were given Pasteurella haemolytica, 2 calves were given the noncytopathogenic BVD virus, and 2 calves were given cytopathogenic BVD virus. Five calves were inoculated sequentially with BVD virus and, 5 days later, with P haemolytica. Two of these calves were inoculated with the noncytopathogenic BVD virus and the other 3 with the cytopathogenic strain. Both BVD virus strains caused marked respiratory tract disease in the calves sequentially inoculated with P haemolytica and also impaired pulmonary clearance of P haemolytica. However, the effect of the cytopathogenic strain was more severe than the noncytopathogenic strain, indicating that strains of BVD virus may vary in their pneumopathogenicity for calves.     

Diagnostic investigation of bovine viral diarrhea infection in a Minnesota dairy herd

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus infection was diagnosed in neonatal calves with enteritis. Successful diagnostic procedures included direct immunofluorescence of frozen tissue sections, histopathology, and virus isolation. Virus isolation from buffy coats and serum was successful in detecting infected animals, whereas direct immunofluorescence of buffy coat samples was found to be less reliable. Virus was not isolated from any fecal samples. Booster vaccinations and the culling of animals shedding virus resulted in improved calf viability in this herd. It is suggested that procedures for the diagnosis of BVD virus infection should always be included in the diagnosis of neonatal calf enteritis.     

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and Escherichia Coli in Neonatal Calf Enteritis

This study was initiated to determine the etiologic and pathogenic significance of an American strain of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus (strain NADL-MD) in enteritis of neonatal calves (calf scours).

Three colostrum-fed calves from dams exposed intravenously to BVD virus at 6, 16 and 25 days prepartum, respectively, had moderate diarrhea persisting until the eighth day of life. The BVD virus was isolated from all 3 calves and persisted up to 93 days in 1 calf, indicating either that BVD was transmitted in utero or via the dam's milk.

Three specific pathogen free (SPF) calves permitted dams' colostrum for the first 4 feedings and then given milk replacer were exposed orally on the day of birth to BVD virus. One calf died of neonatal enteritis 28 hours post-exposure and at necropsy the BVD virus was isolated from several of its organs. The remaining 2 calves had a mild diarrhea persisting to the eighth day of age.

Two calves permitted dams' colostrum ad lib. for 72 hours, and then weaned, were exposed orally to BVD virus. Both calves had a mild persistent diarrhea and BVD virus was isolated from their blood for 56 days post-exposure.

Of 13 SPF, colostrum-deprived calves exposed orally or intranasally at birth to the BVD virus, 4 had severe diarrhea and died of neonatal enteritis from 38 hours to 13 days postexposure. Isolations of BVD virus were made from several of the organs of the calves at necropsy. All of the 9 surviving calves had a moderate to severe diarrhea frequently persisting for 7 to 10 days, and BVD virus was isolated from the survivors up to 103 days postexposure.

Several strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from calves after the second day of life, but were neither pathogenic for mice, nor serologically related to strains of E. coli usually associated with outbreaks of calf scours. Four colostrum-deprived SPF calves were exposed orally at birth to a strain of E. coli isolated from the intestine of the calf with the most acute symptoms and fatal neonatal enteritis. None of the four calves receiving the E. coli had diarrhea. One calf, however, had respiratory distress and died on day 5.

Two SPF colostrum-deprived control calves had neither diarrhea nor respiratory distress.

The above findings support the conclusion that BVD virus should not be overlooked as a primary cause of the neonatal calf enteritis complex.

     

Investigation of causative agents of bovine respiratory tract disease in a beef cow-calf herd with an early weaning program.

Serum samples were collected from early weaned fall calves shortly after the onset of respiratory tract disease. Antibody titers to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus, parainfluenza type 3 (PI-3) virus, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV-3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were determined on paired (acute and convalescent) serums. Seroconversion rate (a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer) for IBR virus was 4.3%, PI-3 virus--16.3%, BVD virus--9.6%, and BAV-3--2.2%. Seroconversion for BRSV was 45.4%. An increased rate of seroconversion for IBR, PI-3, and BVD viruses and BAV-3 was observed in the presence of BRSV seroconversion. These results suggest that BRSV may facilitate infection by other viruses. Results of virus isolation procedures from these calves were negative.     

Experimental production of bovine respiratory tract disease with bovine viral diarrhea virus

Five 6-month-old calves were inoculated with bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus (n = 3) or Pasteurella haemolytica (n = 2) endobronchially with a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Five additional calves were inoculated sequentially with BVD virus followed by P haemolytica at a 5-day interval. Blood samples were collected daily from the calves for bacterial isolation. Clinical signs of respiratory tract disease in calves were recorded daily. If the calves survived, they were killed for necropsy 3 or 4 days after inoculation with P haemolytica (or 8 days after inoculation with BVD virus). The extent and nature of pulmonary lesions in the calves were determined, and the lower portion of the respiratory tract (lungs and trachea) was examined for both these organisms. The 3 calves, inoculated with BVD virus only, developed mild clinical signs mainly manifested as fever, nasal discharge, and occasional cough. Approximately 2% to 7% of the total lung capacity of these calves was pneumonic. Mild clinical signs and localized lesions involving about 15% of the lung volume developed in the 2 calves exposed to P haemolytica only. However, severe fibrinopurulent bronchopneumonia and pleuritis involving 40% to 75% of lung volume developed in the 5 calves inoculated sequentially with BVD virus and P haemolytica. The possible role BVD virus may have in bovine respiratory tract disease is discussed.     

Serological evidence for exposure to bovine viral diarrhoea virus in sheep co-grazed with beef cattle in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To determine whether sheep that co-grazed with cattle that were suspected to be positive for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus had serological evidence of exposure to the virus.

Methods: Eighteen commercial farms that routinely co-grazed cattle and sheep in the same paddocks were recruited through purposive sampling. The recruiting veterinarians identified nine farms with cattle herds that were known or highly suspected to be positive for BVD and nine farms that were considered to be free of BVD. Blood samples were taken from 15 ewes aged 1 year on each farm and samples were submitted to a commercial diagnostic laboratory to test for antibodies against pestiviruses using an ELISA. All samples that were positive were then tested using a virus neutralisation test (VNT)for antibodies against BVD virus.

Results: Of the 270 blood samples, 17 were positive for pestivirus antibodies by ELISA and these originated from two farms that were known or suspected to have BVD virus-positive cattle. None of the samples from the nine flocks co-grazed with cattle herds that were known or suspected to be BVD virus-negative were positive for pestivirus antibodies. Within the two positive farms, 2/15 samples from the first farm and 15/15 samples from the second farm were antibody-positive. When the 17 positive blood samples were submitted for VNT, all 15 samples from the second farm tested positive for BVD virus antibodies with the highest titre being 1:512.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: In this small sample of New Zealand sheep and beef farms with suspected BVD infection in cattle, there was evidence of pestivirus exposure in co-grazed sheep. Although we were unable to confirm the origin of the exposure in these sheep, these findings highlight that farmers who are trying to eradicate BVD from their cattle should be mindful that the infection may also be circulating in sheep, and both populations should be considered a possible risk to each other for generating transient and persistent infections. Further work is needed to estimate the true prevalence of New Zealand sheep flocks that are affected by BVD and the associated economic impacts.     

Age distribution of animals persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhea virus in twenty-two Danish dairy herds.

The objectives of this study were to compare the age distribution of animals persistently infected (PI) with bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVDV) in 12 herds with clinical BVD compared to ten herds without clinical BVD and to examine the incidence of PI calves born after the oldest PI animal. Blood samples from all animals were tested for bovine virus diarrhea virus and antibodies. In five herds, blood samples were obtained from calves born after the whole herd had been tested. All calves born by PI dams were also blood tested. In herds with clinical BVD the median age of PI animals was 248 days and in herds without clinical BVD the median age was 144 days. There was no significant difference between the age of PI animals in herds with clinical BVD compared to herds without clinical BVD (p = 0.48) suggesting similar epidemiology of the occurrences of PI animals in the two herd categories. Thereafter, all herds were used to study the incidence of PI animals. A total of 129 PI animals were found. In ten herds with 72 PI animals the age range of PI animals was more than six months. In these herds 26.3% of the PI animals were born within the first two months after birth of the oldest PI animal, no PI animals were born 2- less than 6 months, 52.7% were born 6- less than 14 months, 6.9% were born 14- less than 22 months and 13.9% (all born by PI dams) were born later than 22 months after the oldest PI animal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

BVDV对后备牛生长发育状况及繁殖性能的影响

牛病毒性腹泻/黏膜病(BVD/MD)是一种严重危害奶牛健康的病毒性传染病,其病原为牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)。BVDV感染牛后主要表现两种状态,即一过性感染(TI)和持续性感染(PI)。BVD在牛场的流行,可严重影响奶牛的生产性能、繁殖性能及牛群健康状况,对奶牛的影响可表现为流产、胎儿畸形、腹泻和免疫抑制等。怀孕母牛在特定妊娠阶段感染BVDV后,可娩出PI犊牛,部分PI犊牛能像正常犊牛一样生长发育至成年,但其生长发育状况和繁殖性能较同龄健康牛差异十分明显。为评价BVDV对后备牛生长发育及繁殖状况的影响,笔者采用ELISA方法检出北京地区28个规模化奶牛场141头BVDV-PI牛,并与同龄健康牛生长发育及繁殖数据相比较,结果表明,BVDV-PI后备牛各月龄段的体高、体重均低于健康后备牛,其首次输精日龄、配准日龄、耗精量明显高于健康后备牛,而一次情期受胎率显著低于健康后备牛。数据显示,BVDV严重影响后备牛的生长发育及繁殖状况。     

Disease screening profiles and colostrum management practices on 16 Irish suckler beef farms

Background

Calf output is a key element in determining the profitability of a suckler beef enterprise. Infectious agents such as Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) virus, colostrum management and parasitic challenge can all affect calf output. Prior to the national BVD eradication programme, there was little published information on either the prevalence or effect of BVD in Irish beef herds. There is little published information on colostrum management practices in Irish commercial beef herds and there have also been few studies published on the prevalence of liver fluke or rumen fluke infection in Irish beef herds. Sixteen farms participating in the Teagasc/Farmers Journal BETTER farm beef programme were used in this study. Fourteen herds were screened for the presence of BVD virus in 2010 using RT-PCR. In 13 herds, blood samples were collected from calves (2–14 days of age) in November 2011 - April 2012 to determine their passive immune status using the zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) test, while in 12 herds, blood and faecal samples were taken in order to determine the level of exposure to gastrointestinal and hepatic helminths.

Results

The overall prevalence of BVD virus-positive cattle was 0.98% (range 0 - 3% per herd, range 0.6 - 3.0% per positive herd). Eighteen of the 82 calves (22%) sampled had ZST values less than 20 units (herd mean range 17.0 – 38.5 units) indicating a failure of passive transfer. The overall animal-level (herd-level) prevalence of liver fluke and rumen fluke infection in these herds was 40.5% (100%) and 20.8% (75%), respectively.

Conclusions

The potential costs associated with the presence of animals persistently infected with BVD virus through the increased use of antibiotics; the rate of failure of passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins and the high prevalence of liver fluke infection in these herds highlight that some Irish suckler beef farms may not be realizing their economic potential due to a range of herd health issues. The use of farm-specific herd health plans should be further encouraged on Irish suckler beef farms.     

The control of bovine virus diarrhoea virus in Shetland

A scheme to control and eradicate bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) was initiated in 1994 in the Shetland Islands by local veterinary surgeons and funded by the Shetland Islands Council and Shetland Enterprise Company. Over a 3-year period every bovine animal on the islands was blood-sampled (heparinised) and laboratory tested using MAb-based ELISAs for BVD virus antibody and antigen detection for evidence of disease. A number of BVD virus positive animals (40) were found and culled. A total of 6150 animals were tested from 213 herds and 43% herds were found to be BVD naive. The remaining herds had experienced infection and contained many BVD antibody positive animals. Some repeat sampling of stock in infected herds determined further virus positive animals which were slaughtered and in 1997 the scheme ceased since it appeared that there were no persistent excretors present. The major risk to the Shetland Islands is from bought-in stock, especially animals which are imported in calf. It is vital that all bought-in animals are tested and proven to be free of BVD virus if these animals are in calf, the calves must be tested a birth to determine status. It is strongly advised that only bulls and bulling heifers or cows are bought into Shetland in future, thus, protecting the present stock. Continued surveillance will be required to claim eradication of BVD from Shetland.     

Reproduction of mucosal disease with cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhoea virus selected in vitro

Isolates of non-cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus from 18 persistently infected calves from one herd were compared by using monoclonal antibodies directed against the major viral glycoprotein gp53. All the isolates displayed an almost identical reaction pattern. Based on this antigenic analysis three cytopathogenic BVD and three non-cytopathogenic BVD viruses closely related to the non-cytopathogenic BVD herd isolate were selected. Six of the persistently infected calves were inoculated with a pool of the three closely related cytopathogenic BVD viruses and two with a pool of the three non-cytopathogenic BVD viruses. In addition three animals were infected with one closely related cytopathogenic BVD strain (Indiana) and two animals with the antigenetically different cytopathogenic BVD viral strain A1138/69. Regardless of the inoculation route all the animals superinfected with closely related cytopathogenic BVD viruses developed the characteristic lesions of mucosal disease within 14 days of infection. Animals which were inoculated with non-cytopathogenic BVD viruses which closely resembled the herd isolate, or with cytopathogenic BVD viruses which did not resemble the herd isolate did not develop any signs of disease. However, the latter group produced antibodies to the superinfecting virus.     

Virus Neutralizing Antibodies Against a Panel of 18 BVDV Isolates in Calves Vaccinated with Rispoval™ RS‐BVD

Seven of nine colostrum‐deprived calves, free from infection with bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV), were vaccinated with Rispoval^? RS‐BVD on two occasions, 21 days apart, while the other two were kept as BVDV infection controls. The virus neutralizing (VN) serum antibodies induced by vaccination were tested for their ability to neutralize 18 European BVDV isolates, including laboratory reference strains and recent field isolates, both cytopathic and non‐cytopathic biotypes as well as genotypes I and II. The strains were isolated in Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. While there were large variations in the vaccine‐induced VN titres of the individual calves against all the strains, e.g. the titres against Osloss NCP, the European reference strain ranged from 1.7 to 6.7 (1 : log₂), serum from each animal was capable of neutralizing between nine and all 18 of the strains tested. Nevertheless, from the results of this study, it can be concluded that in colostrum‐deprived BVDV seronegative calves, Rispoval^? RS‐BVD can stimulate the production of VN antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide range of antigenically diverse European isolates of BVDV, including genotypes I and II.     

A state-transition model to stimulate the economics of bovine virus diarrhoea control

A state-transition model was developed to examine the control of bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) virus (BVDV) infections epidemiologically and economically at the farm level, using a computer spreadsheet program. The model offers the possibility of comparing and evaluating the alternatives ‘no intervention’ and ‘culling carriers’. All input variables can easily be modified to suit different conditions and areas, making it a flexible tool for policy making and decision support. Results of calculations with the most likely input values for Dutch conditions showed that culling the carriers which were persistently infected after an outbreak of BVD was economically unattractive (especially if there was any risk of reinfection). Further research is desired (1) to model the losses due to immunosuppression caused by BVDV infection, and (2) to predict more precisely the spread of BVDV after culling the carriers.