Detection of cows carrying a persistently BVDV (pestivirus) infected foetus

The Detection of cows carrying a persistently BVDV (pestivirus) infected foetus project developed a testing protocol, based on antibody-detection in the dam that can differentiate the PI-carrying dam from her non-PI carrying counterparts.

Summary

Persistently infected (PI) calves carried by non-PI dams are pivotal for the maintenance of BVD virus (bovine pestivirus) in cattle populations and are hitherto undetectable before they are born. Female cattle are often traded when they are pregnant and the possibility of buying in a PI-carrying (Trojan) dam presents an appreciable biosecurity risk for the purchaser.

Up until now, detection of a PI calf has to solely rely on post-natal diagnosis and detection of BVD virus in the calf, often by testing ear notches with antigen capture ELISA or PCR. The present study created BVD PI calves, followed and monitored their dams throughout gestation and developed a testing protocol, based on antibody-detection in the dam that can differentiate the PI-carrying dam from her non-PI carrying counterparts.

Project concluded: January 2014

Contact: Sasha R. Lanyon and Michael P. Reichel

Collaborator:  University of Adelaide

More information

For more information please read the final report summary and download the final report (B.AHE.2014) from the Meat & Livestock Australia website.