A perspective on bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccines

摘要

We humans first recognized bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in our cattle in 1946. In reality this virus and its closely related kin probably had been co-evolving with bovids since the animals first started chewing their cud. Throughout most of itsshort recorded history, BVDV has been recognized primarily as an agent that caused reproductive disease. While the virus was economically important in this role, it hardly ever caused catastrophic loss or death in the host. Thits almost symbiotic relationship is typical of a well-adapted parasite and further evidence of a long cohabitation of the virus and cattle. The emergence of more acutely virulent strains of the BVDV in the 1980s not only gave us more respect for the BVDV quasi-species, but also provided opportunities to better evaluate the efficacy of BVDV vaccines.