Variation in Viremic Concentration among Cattle Persistently Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus

Abstract

Cattle persistently infected (Pl) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are the main viral reservoir of the disease. Despite associations between BVDV and negative health and performance effects, previous research suggests that PI cattle have minimal impact on non-PI cattle. This discrepancy is likely multi-faceted but may suggest that all PI cattle are not equally effective in transmitting BVDV. The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to assess differences in BVDV viremia concentrations among multiple PI cattle at one time point, and (2) to determine if BVDV viremia changed over time among PI cattle.