Prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus in dairy cattle herds in eastern China

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a worldwide spreading pestivirus affecting cattle and other ruminants; however, there have been few reports on...     

Experimental persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus in white-tailed deer

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections cause substantial economic losses to the cattle industries. Persistently infected (PI) cattle are the most important reservoir for BVDV. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are the most abundant species of wild ruminants in the United States and contact between cattle and deer is common. If the outcome of fetal infection of white-tailed deer is similar to cattle, PI white-tailed deer may pose a threat to BVDV control programs. The objective of this study was to determine if experimental infection of pregnant white-tailed deer with BVDV would result in the birth of PI offspring. Nine female and one male white-tailed deer were captured and housed at a captive deer isolation facility. After natural mating had occurred, all does were inoculated intranasally at approximately 50 days of pregnancy with 10(6) CCID(50) each of a BVDV 1 (BJ) and BVDV 2 (PA131) strain. Although no clinical signs of BVDV infection were observed or abortions detected, only one pregnancy advanced to term. On day 167 post-inoculation, one doe delivered a live fawn and a mummified fetus. The fawn was translocated to an isolation facility to be hand-raised. The fawn was determined to be PI with BVDV 2 by serial virus isolation from serum and white blood cells, immunohistochemistry on skin biopsy, and RT-PCR. This is the first report of persistent infection of white-tailed deer with BVDV. Further research is needed to assess the impact of PI white-tailed deer on BVDV control programs in cattle.     

Associations between health and productivity in cow-calf beef herds and persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus, antibodies against bovine viral diarrhea virus, or antibodies against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus in calves

OBJECTIVE: To measure associations between health and productivity in cow-calf beef herds and persistent infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), antibodies against BVDV, or antibodies against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus in calves. ANIMALS: 1,782 calves from 61 beef herds. PROCEDURES: Calf serum samples were analyzed at weaning for antibodies against type 1 and type 2 BVDV and IBR virus. Skin biopsy specimens from 5,704 weaned calves were tested immunohistochemically to identify persistently infected (PI) calves. Herd production records and individual calf treatment and weaning weight records were collected. RESULTS: There was no association between the proportion of calves with antibodies against BVDV or IBR virus and herd prevalence of abortion, stillbirth, calf death, or nonpregnancy. Calf death risk was higher in herds in which a PI calf was detected, and PI calves were more likely to be treated and typically weighed substantially less than herdmates at weaning. Calves with high antibody titers suggesting exposure to BVDV typically weighed less than calves that had no evidence of exposure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: BVDV infection, as indicated by the presence of PI calves and serologic evidence of infection in weaned calves, appeared to have the most substantial effect on productivity because of higher calf death risk and treatment risk and lower calf weaning weight.     

Surveillance for persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in four artificial insemination centers

Four large bovine artificial insemination centers implemented a program of surveillance of resident and newly acquired bulls for persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. Infection was identified in 12 of 1,538 bulls. Several clinical abnormalities, including acute and chronic mucosal disease, were evident among the persistently infected bulls. Semen produced by such bulls consistently contained bovine viral diarrhea virus, and such contamination was not always accompanied by diminished seminal quality. Infected bulls were detected by means of virus isolation tests performed on blood specimens, but not by use of serologic testing. Ten of the 12 persistently infected bulls were results of embryo transfer. Virologic surveillance of breeding herds, artificial insemination and embryo transfer centers, and the cattle trade is necessary to prevent spread of this virus by modern cattle breeding practices. Attention is also necessary to prevent contamination by this virus of the fluids used for recovery, in vitro manipulation, and transfer of bovine embryos.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in dairy herds in Jordan

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in 62 non-vaccinated dairy herds (671 cows) in Jordan between January and June 2007. Information regarding herd management was recorded through a personal interview with farmers. Antibodies against BVDV were detected using an indirect ELISA test. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors for BVDV seropositivity. The true prevalence of antibodies against BVDV in individual cows and cattle herds was 31.6% and 80.7%, respectively. The seroprevalence of BVDV in medium and large size herds was significantly higher than that in smaller herds. There was no significant difference in BVD seroprevalence between different age groups. Random-effects logistic regression model revealed two major factors associated with seropositivity to BVDV; exchange of visits between adjacent farm workers and not isolating newly purchased animals before addition to the herd. The seroprevalence of BVDV in cows located in the northern Jordanian governorates was significantly higher than that in other studied governorates. Results of this study indicated that BVDV is highly prevalent in Jordan and BVDV infection could be controlled by livestock-trade control, and applying strict biosecurity measures in the dairy farms.     

High prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 in Chinese swine herds

Nested RT-PCR was used to investigate bovine viral diarrhea virus in 511 specimens collected from Chinese pigs exhibiting clinical symptoms between 2007 and 2010. Of these, 137 samples were BVDV-positive and the BVDV prevalence rate was 23.1% (9/39) in 2007, 27.7% (44/159) in 2008, 33.6% (34/101) in 2009, and 23.6% (50/212) in 2010. Twenty of 137 BVDV-positive samples were used for further genetic analysis of the 5'-UTR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that they were BVDV-1 and subtyped into BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b, BVDV-1m, BVDV-1o and an unknown subgenotype. This study showed that BVDVs were highly prevalent in Chinese pig herds and appropriate measures should be taken to control BVDV prevalence in pig herds.     

Immunohistochemistry used as a screening method for persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus infection.

Cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus(BVDV) are a major source of infection to herds. To successfully control BVDV, it is necessary to identify and cull those cattle PI with BVDV. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a useful tool for sensitive and specific detection of BVDV antigens in infected cattle.Skin of cattle PI with BVDV is one of the tissues where BVDV can be consistently identified by IHC and is readily accessible for sampling. Use of IHC on skin biopsies (in the form of ear notches)as a method to identify cattle PI with BVDV has resulted in a reliable, affordable technique for mass testing of cattle at an early age without maternal antibody interference. The ability to test large numbers of cattle to identify those Pl with BVDV will enable implementation of programs for control and eventual eradication of BVDV.     

Percutaneous collection of fetal fluids for detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To develop a method for percutaneous collection of fetal fluid from cattle in the late stages of gestation and determine whether bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) can be isolated from such fluids. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 169 pregnant beef cattle. PROCEDURE: Animals were restrained in a squeeze chute, and hair was clipped from a region of the right flank. Pregnancy was confirmed, and fetal fluids were identified by means of abdominal ultrasonography. Fetal fluid was collected with a spinal needle. Virus isolation was performed on fetal fluids, WBC lysates from 160 live calves, and tissues from 12 calves that died or were aborted. Blood samples collected from adult cattle were assayed with an immunoperoxidase monolayer assay. RESULTS: Fourteen animals aborted or delivered premature calves within 3 weeks after fetal fluid collection; however, it could not be determined whether this was a complication of the procedure or attributable to other factors. Results of BVDV isolation from fetal fluid samples were negative for 168 animals. However, a noncytopathic BVDV was isolated from fetal fluid obtained from a 2-year-old heifer; results of the immunoperoxidase assay of serum from this heifer were also positive, and a noncytopathic BVDV was isolated from tissue specimens from a stillborn calf produced by this heifer. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that fetal fluids can be collected percutaneously from cattle in the late stages of gestation and that virus isolation performed on fetal fluids can be used to identify fetuses infected with BVDV in utero. However, safety of the procedure could not be evaluated.     

Persistent bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection in US beef herds

In the summer of 1996, we screened 18,931 calves in 128 beef herds located in five US states for persistent bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection. Of these, 76 herds were randomly selected from the client database of collaborating veterinary practices, and 52 herds were suspected by the collaborating veterinarians to have BVDV infection based on history or clinical signs. Serum was obtained from each calf in the cooperating herds prior to 4 months of age and tested for the presence of BVDV by microtiter virus isolation. Information about each of the herds (including management practices, vaccination history, and breeding- and calving-season production measures) were collected by the collaborating veterinarians using standardized questionnaires. A total of 56 BVDV-positive calves in 13 herds were identified on initial screening. Ten (19%) of the BVDV-suspect herds and three (4%) of the randomly selected herds had > or = 1 BVDV-positive calf at initial screening. Multiple BVDV-positive calves were identified in 10 of those 13 herds. Follow-up information was obtained for 54 of the 56 positive calves. Ten out of 54 (18%) died prior to weaning, and 1 (2%) was sold because of unusually poor growth. Thirty-three out of 54 (61%) of the initially positive calves remained BVDV positive at 6 months of age - confirming persistent-infection (PI) status. Dams of 45 of the 56 positive calves were tested, with 3 (7%) identified as positive - indicating most PI calves were products of acute dam infection during gestation. The proportion of cows that were pregnant at the fall 1995 pregnancy examination was 5% lower in herds with PI calves born during the 1996 calving season than in randomly selected herds without PI calves. Most of the calves we identified with persistent BVDV infections survived to weaning, and could provide a constant source of virus to the herd throughout the breeding season and early gestation.     

Production of cattle immunotolerant to bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Inoculation of bovine virus diarrhea virus into 58 to 125 day old fetuses of bovine virus diarrhea virus seropositive pregnant cows, or inoculation of bovine virus diarrhea virus into seronegative cows 42 to 114 days pregnant, may produce clinically normal calves which are persistently infected with the specific isolate of bovine virus diarrhea virus yet seronegative to the homologous and heterologous isolates. Reinoculation of these persistently infected cattle with their homologous isolate produced no neutralizing antibody response to bovine virus diarrhea virus. These persistently infected cattle were immunocompetent as they developed neutralizing serotiters to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza-3 viruses and agglutinating serotiters to Pasteurella hemolytica .     

Identification of herds with cattle persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus by virological evaluation of three calves

For the identification of herds with cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus, 1,272 animals from 20 herds were subjected to serum neutralizing (SN) test using the Nose strain and virus isolation. Eighteen PI cattle were detected from 5 herds. On the phylogenetic tree based on the nucleotide sequences of the 5' untranslated region, the isolates from the PI cattle were classified into genotypes-1a or -1b. Of 3 unvaccinated calves aged 6 to 12 months selected from each herd, the probabilities of obtaining 2 or more non-PI cattle with SN antibody titers of 64 or more (P(SN)), one or more PI cattle (P(VI)), and either of the conditions (P(Total)) were calculated using the hypergeometric probability model. P(Total) for the 5 herds with PI cattle was 1.000. P(SN) for 3 herds with many PI cattle within the selected age group was as low as 0.500 or less, and P(VI) was as high as 0.886 or more. P(SN) in the 2 other herds with few PI cattle was 1.000, and P(VI) was as low as 0.375 or less. P(Total) in 13 of 15 herds without PI cattle was 0.000, and was 0.714 or 0.774 for the 2 other herds. These results suggest that herds with PI cattle can be predicted with high accuracy when both SN test and virus isolation are performed on only 3 unvaccinated calves aged 6 to 12 months selected from a herd.     

Use of a modified-live vaccine to prevent persistent testicular infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus

A commercial vaccine containing modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV; types 1 and 2) was administered to one group of 22 peripubertal bulls 28 days before intranasal inoculation with a type 1 strain of BVDV. A second group of 23 peripubertal bulls did not receive the modified-live BVDV vaccine before intranasal inoculation. Ten of 23 unvaccinated bulls--but none of the vaccinated bulls--developed a persistent testicular infection as determined by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. Results of this study indicate that administration of a modified-live vaccine containing BVDV can prevent persistent testicular infection if peripubertal bulls are vaccinated before viral exposure.     

Investigation of persistent infection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in Holstein dairy cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to investigate the persistent infection (PI) of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) along with its coexistence between BVDV antibody...     

Response of cattle persistently infected with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus to vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea and to subsequent challenge exposure with cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus

Nine steers persistently infected with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus were allotted into 3 groups (3 cattle/group). Cattle in group A were vaccinated with a modified-live BVD virus vaccine of porcine cell origin, cattle in group B with a modified-live BVD virus vaccine of bovine cell origin, and cattle in group C with a killed BVD virus vaccine of bovine cell origin. Detrimental effects due to vaccination were not seen. Six weeks after vaccination, the steers were challenge exposed with a cytopathic BVD virus. All steers developed mucosal disease after challenge exposure, produced antibodies that neutralized various isolates of BVD virus, and remained persistently infected until death. Steers given killed virus vaccine had a minimal neutralizing-antibody response and developed mucosal disease as quickly as reported for challenge-exposed, nonvaccinated, persistently infected cattle. Steers given modified-live virus vaccines had higher neutralizing-antibody response and longer intervals from challenge exposure to development of mucosal disease. The specificity of the neutralizing-antibody response differed between groups of vaccinated cattle.     

Synergistic effects of bovine respiratory syncytial virus and non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus infection on selected bovine alveolar macrophage functions.

The effect of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (ncpBVDV) infection on selected bovine alveolar macrophage (AM) functions was investigated. Alveolar macrophages were harvested from 2- to 6-month-old calves seronegative for BRSV and BVDV and inoculated with approximately 1 median cell culture infective dose of virus per AM. Control, BRSV infected, ncpBVDV-infected and BRSV-ncpBVDV coinfected AM cultures were evaluated for Fc receptor expression, phagosome-lysosome fusion, superoxide anion (O2-) production, and chemotactic activity on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7 post-infection. Both single and combined viral infections significantly depressed AM Fc receptor expression, phagosome-lysosome fusion, and secretion of chemotactic factors with a more significant synergistic depression seen in BRSV-ncpBVDV coinfection. Production of O2- by AM was not decreased by either BRSV or ncpBVDV infection, but was significantly decreased by coinfection with BRSV-ncpBVDV. The present study confirms previous reports of BRSV effects on AM functions and indicate that ncpBVDV affects AM functions in vitro. Coinfection with BRSV-ncpBVDV produced a synergistic depression on AM functions.