scholarly journals Detection of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in specimens from cattle in South Africa and possible association with clinical disease

Author(s):  
N. Kabongo ◽  
M. Van Vuuren

Studies covering all aspects of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) have been conducted in several countries in Europe, Asia and America. In southern Africa, more information is required about the nature of BVDV infection, the prevalence of different strains and the economic importance of the disease. The presence of BVDV in southern Africa has been known since the early 1970s through serological surveys but few reports confirming its presence by virus isolation and correlation with clinical disease are available. Specimens (n = 312) collected in 1998/99, from live and dead cattle from different farming systems, were obtained from private practitioners, feedlot consultants and abattoirs throughout the country. Specimens (n=37) from African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park were also included. All specimens were processed for virus isolation in cell culture with confirmation by means of immunofluorescent antibody tests and some also by means of an antigen capture ELISA. BVDV was isolated from 15 (4.7 %) cattle and were all noncytopathic biotypes. BVDV was not detected in 37 lymph nodes obtained from buffaloes in the Kruger National Park. Of the clinical signs in cattle from which virus were isolated, respiratory signs was the most frequent (10/15), followed by diarrhoea (5/15). Abortion, congenital malformations, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and poor growth were also included as criteria for selection of animals for specimen collection, but no BVD viruses were isolated from cattle manifesting these clinical signs.

Author(s):  
Terence P. Scott ◽  
Eleanor Stylianides ◽  
Wanda Markotter ◽  
Louis Nel

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a pestivirus that affects members of the order Artiodactyla, including members of the subfamily Bovinae. Little is known about the seroprevalence of BVDV in southern Africa, especially the prevalence in wild ruminant populations such as kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). A handful of random surveys suggested that seroprevalence ranged between 6% and 70% in southern African wild ruminants. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of BVDV amongst kudu and eland (Taurotragus oryx) from Namibia and South Africa. A BVDV-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on 50 serum samples from kudu and eland from South Africa and Namibia. The seroprevalence of BVDV in South African kudu was 71%, identical to that in Namibian kudu. The seroprevalence in Namibian eland was 40%. The kudu and cattle farming (free ranging) regions in Namibia predominantly overlap in the central regions, ensuring ample opportunity for cross-species transmission of BVDV. It is therefore important to determine the true prevalence of BVDV in southern Africa in both domesticated and wild animals. In addition, a potential link between BVDV incidence and a devastating rabies epidemic in Namibian kudu was proposed and such a notion could be supported or discredited by comparative prevalence data.


Author(s):  
N. Kabongo ◽  
C. Baule ◽  
M. Van Vuuren

The presence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in South Africa has been confirmed by several serological surveys. However, little is known about its biological properties. Twenty five isolates obtained by isolation in tissue culture and detected by means of the antigen capture ELISA from clinically sick cattle and from foetal calf serum in South Africa were characterized on the basis of analysis of the 5' non-translated (NTR) region of the genome. A reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to amplify specific sequences from the 5'NTR of the genome. The oligonucleotide primers corresponding to positions 105-125 and 399-378, respectively, in the sequence of BVDV strain NADL were used to generate the PCR products. Both strands were sequenced directly with these primers and fluorescence-labelled dideoxynucleotides in an automated nucleic acid sequencer. Reference strains of pestiviruses [(BVDV type I, BVDV type II, border disease virus (BDV) and hog cholera virus (HCV)] and isolates from a previous investigation on BVDV in southern Africa were included for comparative purposes. All the BVDV strains obtained during this study belong to subgroups of BVDV genotype I. No association could be demonstrated between the geographic origin of the isolates. A number of isolates formed another branch separate from the existing branches Ia, Ib and Ic. These findings suggest that extensive genetic diversity can be found within BVDV type I isolates from southern Africa. Isolates that group with the classical BVDV type I strains, particularly of American origin, coexist with variants that appear to represent a local genetic pool and or variants evolving from the classical strains.


2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 504-515
Author(s):  
A. Szabara ◽  
J. Majer ◽  
L. Ozsvari ◽  
C. Jakab ◽  
W. Baumgartner

This report describes an acute exacerbation of subclinical anaplasmosis manifesting itself in clinical signs in a large number of animals after infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). The simultaneous transmission of BVDV and Anaplasma was unintended and most likely the result of a vaccination operation in a large Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle herd in Hungary. From Day 35 after the first vaccination, a total of 33 cows developed fever, depression, general weakness, lack of appetite, a sudden drop of milk production, anaemia, icterus, and tachypnoea on exercise. In addition, a total of seven abortions and three stillbirths occurred. Between Days 30 and 35 after the second vaccination four cows showed clinical signs typical of anaplasmosis, and two stillbirths occurred. The presence of Anaplasma marginale infection was demonstrated by haematological, biochemical, PCR and haemocytological examinations of blood samples collected from animals showing clinical signs as well as by necropsy. To assess the prevalence of infection in the herd, a specified number of animals belonging to different age groups were subjected to serological tests. The rate of seropositive animals was substantially higher (50%) in the older (3- to 4-year-old and more than 4-year-old) age groups than in the younger cows (10–30%). This study has demonstrated for the first time that if bovine animals susceptible to both A. marginale and BVDV are infected by the two pathogens roughly at the same time, the immunosuppressive effect of BVDV will support the progression of A. marginale infection and manifestation of the disease resulting in acute clinical signs.


2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.R. Spilki ◽  
T.C. Silva ◽  
P.A. Esteves ◽  
M.B. Teixeira ◽  
H.B.C.R. Batista ◽  
...  

During a series of experiments attempting to reproduce clinically apparent bovine herpesvirus type 5 (BoHV-5) infections, a group of calves was inadvertently infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Another group of calves was infected with BoHV-5 only. This paper reports the outcome of such infections. Two out of six calves solely infected with BoHV-5 displayed moderate to severe clinical signs. Three out of four calves of the group co-infected with BoHV-5 and BVDV developed severe clinical signs, two of them died. BoHV-5 virus was isolated to higher titres and for a longer period from the group of calves infected with both viruses. These results suggest that BVDV may enhance clinical signs induced by BoHV-5 and may also play a role in extending the period of BoHV-5 shedding.


Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Fray ◽  
GE Mann ◽  
EC Bleach ◽  
PG Knight ◽  
MC Clarke ◽  
...  

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a major pathogen of cattle and is responsible for considerable reproductive loss. In this study, the in vivo responses in six multiparous cows were investigated after a non-cytopathogenic BVDV challenge (strain Pe 515; 5 x 10(6) tissue culture infective dose 50) given 9 days before a synchronized ovulation. Six similar cows challenged with non-infectious culture medium served as controls. The experimental noncytopathogenic BVDV infection was followed by a viraemia and leucopenia at days 5-9 after challenge, but no other clinical signs of infection were detected. However, the BVDV infection altered endocrine function. Mean LH pulse frequency immediately before CIDR withdrawal was lower (P < or = 0.05) in the BVDV-infected (2.17 +/- 0.34 pulses per 8 h) compared with the sham-infected (4.83 +/- 1.04 pulses per 8 h) animals. At day 3 after CIDR withdrawal, plasma oestradiol concentrations remained high (P < 0.05) in the infected cows (2.19 +/- 0.51 pg ml(-1)) compared with the sham-infected controls (0.72 +/- 0.29 pg ml(-1)). However, there was no difference in the peak oestradiol concentration (BVDV: 2.31 +/- 0.29 versus sham: 2.34 +/- 0.41 pg ml(-1)). In addition, non-cytopathogenic BVDV significantly (P < 0.05) increased the duration of the interval between ovulation and onset of the postovulatory progesterone increase (values 1.0 ng ml(-1)) (BVDV: 3.0 +/- 0.26 versus sham: 4.0 +/- 0.26 days). The viral infection also significantly (P < 0.01) decreased mean plasma progesterone concentrations between day 3 and day 11 after ovulation (BVDV: 2.59 +/- 0.32 versus sham: 4.13 +/- 0.27 ng ml(-1)). These data show that non-cytopathogenic BVDV viraemias during the follicular phase can modulate the secretion of gonadotrophins and sex steroids, in particular progesterone, during a synchronized oestrous cycle. Therefore, viraemias during the follicular phase may reduce the fertility of cattle by disrupting the capacity of the ovulatory follicle to form a competent corpus luteum, thereby compromising early embryo development and maternal recognition of pregnancy.


Author(s):  
A. R. Pypers ◽  
D. E. Holm ◽  
J. H. Williams

Clinical disease resulting from the vertical transmission of Anaplasma marginale has only been reported on 5 occasions despite studies demonstrating successful in utero transmission. During the reported experimental induction of congenital anaplasmosis in calves, the outcome was variable but mostly led to inapparent or mild infection. There are previous case reports of fatal congenital anaplasmosis following natural infection. The clinical findings in a 2-day-old calf presented to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital with clinical signs of congenital anaplasmosis, which was unresponsive to treatment, are described. Subsequent post mortem diagnostic tests revealed that this calf was co-infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). It is postulated that immunosuppression resulting from BVDV infection predisposed to severe, fatal anaplasmosis in this calf.


2021 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-196
Author(s):  
Caitlin A. Evans ◽  
Lucy Woolford ◽  
Farhid Hemmatzadeh ◽  
Michael P. Reichel ◽  
Peter D. Cockcroft

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document