Identification of a herd infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus based on laboratory diagnosis.

摘要

The aim of the study was to identify animals in a cattle herd in Poland suspected infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) using serological and virological tests coupled with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All 26 animals except two were seropositive for BVDV. One animal showing a slow growth rate and pulmonary infection was suggested to be possible persistently infected with the virus. Three consecutive antigen-detecting tests done on serum samples within a 3-week period gave positive results. Thus, the slow growth rate and susceptibility to respiratory tract infections in a single animal coupled with high prevalence of seropositive animals in a herd are good indicators of possible circulation of BVDV. Both clinical examination and laboratory testing proved useful in the identification of a single virus shedder in this suspected herd.