Comparison of Milk BVD ELISA Results with Ear Notch Testing, between Milk Sample Handling Methods and with Cow Characteristics

Abstract

The primary objective was to study a milk ELISA test for detection of antibody against p80 (p80/125 nonstructural protein) of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in comparison with standard ear notch testing for cows persistently infected (PI) with BVDV. BVDV is an important cause of respiratory disease, diarrhea, abortion and infertility, and poor calf performance in dairy herds. Secondary objectives included evaluation of four methods of handling Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) milk meter-collected milk samples for possible differences in BVD test results, and to study cow characteristics, such as parity and stage of lactation, and their association with anti-BVD antibody detection.