北京地区规模化牛场BVDV持续感染牛清除方案的初步实施

BVDV持续感染牛(persistently infected,PI)是造成牛群内BVD难以根除的重要原因。为摸清北京地区BVDV-PI牛分布情况,探索BVD清除方案,本次筛查利用抗原捕获ELISA,对北京地区7个规模化奶牛场共14028头荷斯坦奶牛进行BVDV抗原检测。共检出PI牛58头,其中成母牛9头,后备牛49头;场内阳性率0.04～1.02%;PI牛与健康牛相比,平均出生体重相差5.9kg(P0.05),15月龄时体重相差94.6kg(P0.05),平均初配月龄和首次怀孕月龄分别延迟2.9个月和4.9个月(P0.05)。结果表明,PI牛个体发育缓慢且繁殖性能低下,但部分牛临床表现正常。以抗原捕获ELISA为主要检测手段的清除方案是控制BVD的有效方法。     

Natural changes in the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) among Estonian cattle

The results of a survey conducted during 1993-2000 to study the spread of bovine viral diarrhoeal virus (BVDV) among Estonian cattle are presented. The BVDV infection status of a representative random sample of cattle herds housing 20 or more dairy cows was established to estimate the prevalence of herds with active BVDV infection [potentially having persistently infected (PI) cattle--suspect PI herds]. The herds investigated comprised approximately 70% of all Estonian dairy cows. The BVDV infection status was established in 315-350 herds (making the sampling fraction about 20%) during three sampling periods: 1993-95, 1997-98, 1999-2000. BVDV antibodies were detected in herd bulk milk samples and/or sera from young stock by a liquid-phase-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed in the Danish Veterinary Institute for Virus Research. The results of the survey demonstrate the reduction in the prevalence of herds with active BVDV infection in the studied fraction of the Estonian cattle population. During the first sampling period (1993-95) a prevalence of 46% (+/- 5%) for suspect PI herds was observed, during the second sampling period this prevalence was 16% (+/- 3%) and in the third period it was 18% (+/- 3%). As there is no control programme for BVDV in Estonia, the observed changes reflect the natural course of the infection in the study population. A possible cause for these changes is the decreased trade in breeding animals as a result of the economic difficulties present in cattle farming during the study period. The farming practices (most large herds are managed as closed herds) and the low density of cattle farms have obviously facilitated the self-clearance of herds from the BVDV infection, diminishing the new introduction of infection into the herds.     

Test strategies in bovine viral diarrhea virus control and eradication campaigns in Europe.

Several European countries have initiated national and regional control-and-eradication campaigns for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Most of these campaigns do not involve the use of vaccines; in Germany, vaccination is used only in states in which it is considered necessary because of high BVDV prevalence. In European countries without organized BVDV control programs, vaccination is commonly used to control BVDV. Diagnostic test strategies are fundamental to all control-and-eradication campaigns; therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe how the available diagnostic tests are combined into test strategies in the various phases of control-and-eradication campaigns in Europe. Laboratory techniques are available for BVDV diagnosis at the individual animal level and at the herd level. These are strategically used to achieve 3 main objectives: 1) initial tests to classify herd status, 2) follow-up tests to identify individual BVDV-infected animals in infected herds, and 3) continued monitoring to confirm BVDV-free status. For each objective or phase, the validity of the diagnostic tests depends on the mode of BVDV introduction and duration of infection in test-positive herds, and on how long noninfected herds have been clear of BVDV. Therefore, the various herd-level diagnostic tools--such as antibody detection in bulk milk or in blood samples from young stock animals, or BVDV detection in bulk milk--need to be combined appropriately to obtain effective strategies at low cost. If the individual diagnostic tests are used with due consideration of the objectives of a specific phase of a BVDV control program, they are effective tools for controlling and eradicating BVDV in regions not using vaccination and where vaccination is a part of the control or eradication program.     

Predicted costs and benefits of eradicating BVDV from Ireland

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) causes an economically important endemic disease (BVD) of cattle in Ireland and worldwide. Systematic eradication by detection and removal of infectious (BVDV carrier) cattle has been successful in several regions. We therefore assessed the benefits (disease losses avoided) and costs (testing and culling regime) of a potential eradication programme in Ireland. Published bio-economic models of BVDV spread in beef suckler herds and dairy herds were adapted to estimate potential benefits of eradication in Ireland. A simple model of BVDV spread in beef finisher herds was devised to estimate the benefits of eradication in this sector. A six year eradication programme consisting of 5 inter-related virological and serological testing programmes is outlined and costed. We found that the annualised benefits of BVDV eradication in Ireland exceeded the costs by a factor of 5 in the beef suckler sector and a factor of 14 in the dairy sector. Corresponding payback periods were 1.2 and 0.5 years respectively. These results highlight the significant economic impact of BVDV on the Irish cattle industry and suggest a clear economic benefit to eradication using the proposed approach. This type of cost-benefit analysis is considered an essential prerequisite prior to undertaking an eradication campaign of this magnitude.     

Prevalence of BVDV infection in Greek dairy herds

Thirty-nine Greek dairy herds, totalling 6333 cattle, enrolled in a voluntary bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) eradication programme based on the identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalences of BVD antigen-positive and PI animals, and investigate the significance of the associations between the prevalence estimates and herd size. Initially, all animals were bled and examined for BVDV, using an antigen ELISA. A second sample was collected from the positive animals, after a period of at least three weeks. Animals retested positive were classified as PI. Antigen positive and PI animals were detected in all herds. The respective mean prevalences, adjusted for the test's accuracy and the herd-clustering effect, were 14% (95%CI: 11-18%) and 1.3% (0.8-1.8%), respectively. Herd size was not associated with the prevalence of antigen-positive or PI animals.     

Epidemiological Study of Pestiviruses in South American Camelids in Switzerland

Background: In the context of the ongoing eradication campaign for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cattle in Switzerland, the role of South American camelids (SAC) as a possible virus reservoir needed to be evaluated. Objective: To assess and characterize the prevalence of pestivirus infections in SAC in Switzerland. Animals: Serum samples collected from 348 animals (40 herds) in 2008 and from 248 animals (39 herds) in 2000 were examined for antibodies against pestiviruses and for the presence of BVDV viral RNA. Methods: Cross‐sectional study using stratified, representative herd sampling. An indirect BVDV‐ELISA was used to analyze serum samples for pestivirus antibodies, and positive samples underwent a serum neutralization test (SNT). Real‐time RT‐PCR to detect pestiviral RNA was carried out in all animals from herds with at least 1 seropositive animal. Results: In 2008, the overall prevalence of animals positive for antibodies (ELISA) and pestiviral RNA or was 5.75 and 0%, respectively. In 2000, the corresponding prevalences were 3.63 and 0%, respectively. The seroprevalences (SNT) for BVDV, border disease virus or undetermined pestiviruses were estimated to be 0, 1.73, and 4.02% in 2008, and 0.40, 1.21, and 2.02% in 2000, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: At the present time, SAC appear to represent a negligible risk of re‐infection for the BVDV eradication program in cattle in Switzerland.     

Experiences from BVDV control in Sweden

A control scheme on BVDV was launched in Sweden in 1993 with the aim to prevent spread of the infection between herds, to eliminate virus from infected herds and, ultimately, to eradicate BVDV from Sweden. At the start it was voluntary and fully financed by the affiliated farmers. The estimated prevalence of infected herds was 40%. After 11 years there were only 205 (0.9%) herds still under clearance. Measures perceived to be of importance in concluding the scheme are subsidies on costs for analyses, gradually making regulations for contacts between herds and prevention of indirect infection stricter and also to eventually make the scheme compulsory.     

Detection of BVDV persistently infected animals in Belgium: evaluation of the strategy implemented

Until now, no official bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVDV) control program has been implemented in Belgium. The only legislation dealing with the detection of BVDV-infected animals concerns the purchase of animals. A strategy of control, based on the identification and elimination of persistently infected (PI) animals and the vaccination of cows before insemination has been designed in both the Northern and the Southern part of the country. The strategy of detection of PI animals relies on PCR testing of pools of blood. Individual blood samples corresponding to the positive pools are then tested by BVDV-antigen ELISA. A first evaluation of the measures already applied in Belgium is presented. Data obtained in 2003 are presented and discussed regarding the validation of the laboratory strategy, the prevalence of positive herds, the genotype of circulating viruses, the outcome of antigen positive animals and the need for improvement of the current legislation.     

Description and first results of a BVDV control scheme in Brittany (western France)

A collective zoo-sanitary control scheme for BVDV has been implemented in Brittany in successive steps since 1998. Prior evaluation of prevalence and dynamics of infection through bulk-milk ELISA showed that 40% of the dairy herds were likely to be free of BVDV but that, in the long term, no improvement was to be expected without control of new infections. The next step was a test-and-cull programme for PI animals in ELISA positive herds. Ten percentage of the herds were found to have at least one PI animal. The incidence decreased during this step. To lower costs of testing traded animals, a database was developed to collect all the available information to trace animals already known to be non-PI.     

Self-clearance from BVDV infections--a frequent finding in dairy herds in an endemically infected region in Peru

In this cross-sectional study, a stratified two-stage random sampling procedure was employed to select 221 dairy herds for bulk tank milk (BTM) sampling, and a subset of 55 dairy herds for individual blood sampling of a number of young animals (spot test), to predict presence or absence of current BVDV infection, and for data collection. The prediction was based on the high probability of seropositivity in groups of animals where PI animals are present because of the efficient spread of virus from PI animals to the surrounding group. BTM samples were collected in August 2003 (n = 192) and February 2004 (n = 195), and the 55 herds selected for spot testing and data collection were visited in December 2003. All samples were tested for presence of BVDV specific antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA (SVANOVA Biotech AB, Uppsala, Sweden). The results demonstrated a very high level of exposure to BVDV in the region, and the proportion of herds with high antibody levels in the BTM was above 95% on both occasions. Despite this, almost two thirds of the herds had spot test results indicating absence of current infection, suggesting a high probability of self-clearance. A logistic regression model with the results from the spot tests as dependent variable was used to investigate possible herd and management factors associated with self-clearance, and suggested that this may occur regardless of herd size. Even though it is well established that the process of identification and elimination of PI animals is required within a systematic BVDV eradication programme, the present study strongly suggests that many herds may be cleared without intervention even in regions with high cattle density and high BVDV prevalence. Consequently, in any BVDV infected population (regardless of the herd-level BVDV seroprevalence), and at any given point of time, a large proportion of the herds will be free from infection due to self-clearance. Self-clearance is therefore a process that works in favour of any effort to control BVDV, which should be taken into account when planning and assessing the cost-effectiveness of a systematic control programme.     

Effect of infection by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in vitro on interleukin-1 activity of bovine monocytes

The effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in vitro on the interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity of bovine monocytes was studied. Supernatants from BVDV-infected monocytes suppressed IL-1-stimulated proliferation of mouse thymocytes and masked lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-1 activity of bovine monocytes in the mouse comitogen thymocyte assay. Suppression of mouse thymocyte proliferation was restored by the addition of IL-1. IL-1 inhibitory activity was induced both by the prototype variants BVDV/NADL cytopathic and BVDV/NY-1 noncytopathic and by BVDV variants isolated from persistently infected cattle. Suppressed IL-1 activity was also found in supernatants from monocytes from persistently infected cattle following infection with BVDV in vitro. No differences in levels of IL-1 mRNA synthesis were detected between BVDV-infected and uninfected monocytes by RNA-cDNA hybridization. These results suggest that infection of bovine monocytes with BVDV results in the production and/or activation of a soluble inhibitor of IL-1 activity.     

Control of BVDV-infection on common grassland--the key for successful BVDV-eradication in Lower Austria

A bovine viral diarrhea/mucosal disease (BVD/MD) control and eradication program was introduced in Lower Austria in 1996, according to the Swedish model. At present 9800 out of 17,000 herds are part of this program. An important risk factor for BVDV-transmission under local conditions is communal grazing. Approximately 3-4% of livestock share common pastures, in which susceptible pregnant cattle may be mixed with unrecognised persistently infected (PI) animals. Rules and regulations were defined to allow only herds free from BVDV-infection on to common grassland. At the moment, 5067 herds are certified free from BVDV. The percentage of BVDV-free herds in regions with intensive pasture utilisation is higher (57.3%) than in the other regions (43.0%) of Lower Austria. With a reliable system for identification of PI-animals and a high certainty of prevention of PI-animals on common grassland, the main transmission of BVDV infection can be stopped, even if the animals are derived from infected herds and transiently infected animals cannot be excluded.     

Epidemiological pattern and risk factors associated with bovine viral-diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection in a non-vaccinated dairy-cattle population from the Asturias region of Spain

A survey of bovine viral-diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection was carried out in a non-vaccinated cattle population from the Asturias region of Spain in 1997 to assess seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with infection. Twenty-eight herds were included; 529 cows were bled. Information regarding the herd and each animal sampled were recorded through a personal interview with the farmer. The true prevalence was estimated to be 21%. According to the antibody-age profiles and the herd-management characteristics, no persistently infected animals were suspected at that time within the herds sampled. Random-effects logistic regression found two major factors associated with seropositivity: age and cow origin. Results suggested that BVDV infection could be controlled in that area by livestock-trade control (without vaccines). In addition, an increasing risk of abortion was not observed when cows were seropositive to both BVDV and Neospora caninum infections.     

Principles for eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections in cattle populations

Systematic eradication of BVDV without vaccination started in Scandinavia in 1993. In principle, the schemes include; (1) identification of non-infected and infected herds using different combinations of serological herd tests such as bulk milk tests and spot tests (sample of animals in a certain age), (2) monitoring/certification of non-infected herds by repeated sampling, applying one of the above-mentioned methods and (3) virus clearance in infected herds aimed at removing persistently infected (PI) animals in a cost- and time-efficient manner. In the virus clearance protocol described, an initial test is performed on all animals with subsequent follow-up of calves born as well as of dams seronegative in the initial test. It is generally recommended to perform an initial antibody test on all samples. This should be done not only to screen for seronegative animals on which virus isolation should be attempted (i.e. possible PI animals), but more in order to identify non-immune animals in reproductive age, that is, the key animals in herd-level persistence of infection. In Sweden, a common finding has been self-clearance, where the infection ceases without any other intervention than controlled introduction of new animals. Other epidemiological observations concern the course of events following virus introduction. Important risk factors for spreading BVDV are discussed, where livestock trade is perceived as the most central to control. Live vaccines, imported semen and embryos constitute special hazards, since they may act as vehicles for the introduction of new BVDV strains. The importance of making farmers aware of herd biosecurity and their own responsibility for it is stressed, and in order to maintain a favourable situation after a scheme has been concluded, effort must be put into establishing such a persisting attitude in the farming community.     

BVDV and BHV-1 infections in dairy herds in northern and northeastern Thailand

Bulk milk samples from 220 dairy herds were collected at 9 public milk collection centres in the northeastern and northern Thailand, and a subset of 11 herds was selected for individual testing. The samples were tested for presence of antibodies to BVDV and BHV-1 using an indirect ELISA. The results from the bulk milk testing demonstrated a moderate level of exposure to BVDV and BHV-1 (73% and 67%, respectively). However, the low proportion of herds with high BVDV antibody-levels (13%) and the low within-herd seroprevalence of BVDV and BHV-1 in the 11 herds (24% and 5%, respectively), particularly among the young stock (15% and 0%, respectively), demonstrated a low prevalence of active BVDV infection and a low rate of reactivation of latent BHV-1. The presence of a self-clearance process was also indicated by the results from the individual testing. Moreover, a surprisingly low prevalence of BVDV and BHV-1 antibody-positive herds at one of the milk centres was found. This centre was established 5-10 years before the others. Our impression is that this reflects the self-clearance process, where consecutive replacement of imported infected animals without further spread has resulted in a nearly total elimination of the infections. Based on our experiences and on these results we are convinced that this process can continue if there is awareness of herd biosecurity. This is especially important in the context of a future intensification of the dairy production.     

Ten years of bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) control in Norway: a cost-benefit analysis

A retrospective cost-benefit analysis was carried out on the Norwegian bovine virus diarrhoea (BVD) control and eradication strategy, for the years 1993-2003. Information regarding the control cost input parameters was gathered from the cattle industry (TINE Norwegian Dairies, GENO Breeding and AI association, and GILDE Norwegian Meat), The National Animal Health Authorities and The Veterinary Institute. We accounted for variable costs (both direct costs associated with the control, and those costs carried by the farmers as a consequence of the control program). The benefit was estimated as the difference between the assumed losses without control - represented overall as 10% increase of the observed 1993 BVD virus infection level - and the observed losses during the control period. An estimate of the financial losses associated with the BVD virus (BVDV) infection was based on studies of the herd level effects on health, reproduction, and production in dairy herds with evidence of recent BVDV infection. We used a stochastic simulation model to account for the total uncertainty in both the control cost and financial loss estimates. The annual net benefits over the 10 years of BVD control were discounted to a 1993 net present value (NPV). The median NPV of the BVD control, nationally, was estimated at 130 million NOK with a distribution of the NPV ranging from +51 to +201 million NOK (5th and 95th percentiles, respectively). Out of the total control costs the farmers and the farmer-owned industries (the co-operatives) had carried about 62% of these costs; however, the farmers were also the main beneficiaries. The Norwegian experience shows a robust cost-efficiency for a BVDV eradication strategy; this stands in sharp contrast to earlier studies where the results were not supportive. Even though every cattle population and country is unique, the Norwegian findings and experiences should have wider implications.     

Time to first calving and calving interval in bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) sero-converted dairy herds in Norway

Dairy herds in M?re and Romsdal County, Norway (regarded as initially free from the bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection) were studied retrospectively from 1992 to 1996. The herd reproductive performance (time to first calving, calving interval, and number of breeding services) was investigated for a potential effect of BVDV sero-conversion. The herd culling pattern--possibly affecting the above measurements--was included for investigation. Two different statistical models were used: the generalised estimating equation (GEE) method and multilevel modelling using Gibbs sampling. Though slightly different estimates resulted, both models agreed on an effect of BVDV in the second year after sero-conversion on the herd average time to first calving by--on an average-- 14-16 days. In subsets of case herds testing positive for BVDV antibodies among young stock, the impact on time to first calving tended to be more pronounced by an additional increase of 18 days. No effect on the number of breeding services for heifers or cows was observed (indicating a need to search for other determinants than reduced conception risk). There appeared to be no effect of BVDV on the herd average calving interval. There was a tendency for a higher risk for reporting animals lost/died in sero-converted herds, which we believe might be related to the occurrence of mucosal disease.     

Bulk milk testing for antibody seroprevalences to BVDV and BHV-1 in a rural region of Peru

Bulk milk from 60 herds of dairy cattle in a rural region in the central highlands of Peru was tested for antibodies to bovine viral-diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1). None of the herds had been vaccinated against BVDV or BHV-1. Commercially available indirect ELISA-kits were used for antibody detection. True prevalences of BVDV and BHV-1 antibody-positive herds were 96 and 51%, respectively. A relatively low proportion of strongly positive herds suggests, however, a low prevalence of active BVDV infection. BVDV optical densities (ODs) in bulk milk increased with herd size--indicating a higher within-herd prevalence in the larger herds (probably, in part a consequence of a higher rate of animal movement into these herds). For BHV-1, this pattern was not found; a relatively high proportion of the herds was free from BHV-1 infection in each size category. This could indicate a low rate of reactivation of latent BHV-1 infection.     

Effect of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection on dairy calf rearing

The aim of this study was to compare the cumulative incidence of mortality, clinical diarrhoea and respiratory disease in calves, during their first six months of age, in herds with different bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection status. Calves’ health indicators were tested by comparing proportions in 101 farms with dissimilar infection condition. The results indicate that there was a significant relationship between the BVDV status (actively infected herd or not) and the cumulative incidence of mortality and respiratory disorders.