The Forgotten Viruses

Cause for Clinical Concern?

Abstract

Bovine practitioners deal with viral diseases on a daily basis. These agents are well recognized as the primary pathogens in many practice situations. Although many viral agents have been isolated from cattle, those affecting the respiratory tract, bovine herpesvirus-1, and to a lesser extent, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, are generally considered to be the most economically important and the targets of prophylactic and research efforts. Economic losses due to bovine virus diarrhea virus associated reproductive disease and, more recently with high mortality subsequent to acute infection, have received much attention. The purpose of this brief review is to consider some of the other viral agents that have been isolated from cattle by highlighting recent research in the context of clinical concerns for the practitioner and client.