Liver tolerance as a mechanism for the development of BVDV persistent infection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20123957Keywords:
Bovine viral diarrhea virus, BVDV, hepatitis C, persistent infection, fetal liver, liver toleranceAbstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a member of the pestivirus group of the Flavivirus family that also includes hepatitis C virus. Infection of a pregnant cow with BVDV from 40 to 120 days of gestation may result in persistent infection (PI) of the fetus with BVDV. In pregnant cows, BVDV infects the cells of the placenta and crosses into fetal circulation. Persistently infected calves have been recognized as the major reservoir for BVDV; therefore, identification and removal of PI calves are the focus of BVDV eradication efforts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the fetal liver and liver tolerance with the development of PI with BVDV.