Case report

Detection and management of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1b in a large dairy herd

Authors

  • Elizabeth A. Cox Cattle Technical Service, Merck Animal Health, 35500 W 91st Street, De Soto, KS 66018
  • Julia F. Ridpath Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50010
  • Shollie M. Falkenberg Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, IA 50010

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol51no2p153-156

Keywords:

bovine viral diarrhea virus, persistent infection, biosecurity

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) continues to be a challenge for the cattle industry despite routine vaccination that includes killed or modified-live BVDV antigens. At a commercial dairy, 1,081 newborn calves were tested for BVDV antigen by pooled reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction as part of a screening program. Immunohistochemistry confirmed persistent BVDV infections in 13 calves. Ten of the PI calves were available for BVD typing. Both cytopathic and non-cytopathic BVD viruses were isolated. The non-CPE viruses typed as BVD type lb with a total of 3 different strains found; an identical strain found in 2 calves, another identical strain found in 2 other calves, and a third identical strain found in 3 other calves. A BVDV control program relying solely on BVD vaccination using a modified-live vaccine did not protect calves in this herd from persistent infection with type lb BVDV. These results demonstrate that control programs that rely only on vaccination to control BVDV without testing for the presence of PI animals are not adequate to control BVD.

Cover image of Volume 51, No. 2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a close-up photo of a Holstein cow with a white blaze from its poll to muzzle. The cow has an orange ear tag and dappled black spots on its muzzle.

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Published

2017-06-01

How to Cite

Cox, E. A., Ridpath, J. F., & Falkenberg, S. M. (2017). Case report: Detection and management of bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1b in a large dairy herd. The Bovine Practitioner, 51(2), 153–156. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol51no2p153-156

Issue

Vol. 51, No. 2 (2017 Summer)

Section

Articles

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