Bovine Viral Diarrhea

The Unraveling of a Complex of Clinical Presentations

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus is the most important viral pathogen of the bovine fetus. After birth it is responsible for two clinically dissimilar conditions: BVD and mucosal disease. It also causes significant losses as a result of its interaction with other pathogens, enhancing their morbidity in dual infections. Currently available prophylactic vaccines may be inadequate because they are not totally safe or afford incomplete protection; Our understanding of the pathogenesis of BVD virus infections in cattle is in a very dynamic state at the present time, as a result of work carried out by several groups (1-5). In contrast, progress in areas such as the molecular events of virus replication, the antigenic structure of the virus and the specificity of the immune response of the host has been slower.