PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO BVDV AND BHV1 IN DAIRY HERDS IN SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF ROMANIA

Summary Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) are important viral diseases around the world. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of seroconversion to BVDV and IBRV. Serum samples from 152 bovines were collected from two counties (Tulcea and Braila) in the southeastern region of Romania. The samples were tested for presence of antibodies to BVDV and BHV-1 using two commercial indirect ELISA kits. The results showed that seroprevalence of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) was 29,6% and that of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) was 41.44% in tested cows. Antibodies to both viruses were found in only 24 tested cattle, representing a prevalence of 22.36%. The presence of BHV1 antibodies was associated with a higher prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) antibodies. The relatively high incidence of seroconversion for BVDV suggests that detailed knowledge of the epidemiology of bovine virus diarrhoea is essential for identification and elimination of PI animals. The scenario of IBRV is favorable to implement a program directed to culling seropositive cows and not keeping infected heifer calves. The main infectious agents involved in bovine respiratory disease in Romania are viruses and bacteria. Antibiotics can be used to combat bacteria but are ineffective at fighting viruses. Those viruses and bacteria most commonly linked with bovine respiratory disease are infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD). Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1), the causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), is considered to be the most common viral pathogen found in bovines. BHV1 is associated with several clinical conditions including infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, infectious pustular vulvovaginitis, balanoposthitis, conjunctivitis and generalized disease in newborn calves causing great economical losses (8). Like the other alphaherpesviruses, BHV-1 can establish a latent state in ganglionic neurons after infection (4). BHV-1 can be reactivated and reexcreted by means of several stimuli, including transport, parturition, and treatment with glucocorticoids (11). Latency allows the virus to persist, and the introduction of a latently infected carrier into a noninfected herd is the best way to spread the disease (2). Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that infects domestic animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs, as well as many wild and captive animals. Bovine viral diarrhea virus is an important infectious disease agent