Serological survey for bovine immunodeficiency virus in dairy cattle from Poland

A seroprevalence study of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) was undertaken on 1,541 serum samples from Holstein cattle from 23 herds, located in different geographical regions of Poland. The analysis was performed using ELISA, with recombinant Gag protein of BIV as antigen. The average BIV prevalence was 4.9% in individual cattle, while the percentage of herds harboring at least one seropositive animal, was 82.6%. To demonstrate the correlation of BIV and bovine leukemia virus infection, all sera were analysed for BLV antibodies and there was only a slight association between both infections. Overall, these results show that BIV infection is present in dairy cattle in Poland at a prevalence rate found in other European countries

Transcriptomic microarray analysis of BoMac cells after infection with bovine foamy virus

Bovine foamy virus (BFV) infections are highly prevalent among cattle worldwide. However, relatively little is known about the impact of this virus on the host immune system. In our study, we focused on a bovine macrophage cell line (BoMac) and examined changes in the BoMac transcriptome after in vitro infection with BFV using bovine BLOPlus oligo microarrays. One hundred twenty-four genes showed significant changes in expression level. The biological process categories found to be enriched include metabolic processes, cell communication, transport, immune system processes, and response to extracellular stimuli. RT-qPCR was applied to confirm the results obtained for representative genes

Interlaboratory comparison of six real-time PCR assays for detection of bovine leukemia virus proviral DNA

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is increasingly being used for the detection of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) proviral DNA. Nevertheless, quality control for the validation and standardization of such tests is currently lacking. Therefore, the present study was initiated by three Office International des Epizooties (OIE) reference laboratories and three collaborating laboratories to measure the interlaboratory variability of six already developed and available BLV qPCR assays. For that purpose, an international panel of 58 DNA samples reflecting the dynamic range of the majority of the assays was distributed to six testing centers. Based on qualitative results, the overall agreement among all six laboratories was moderate. However, significant variability in the measurement of the BLV proviral DNA copy number was observed among different laboratories. Quantitative PCR assays, even when performed by experienced staff, can yield large variability in BLV proviral DNA copy numbers without harmonization. Further standardization of different factors (i.e., utilization of unified protocols and unique calibrators) should increase interlaboratory agreement.Fil: Jaworski, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Pluta, A.. National Veterinary Research Institute; PoloniaFil: Rola Luszczak, M.. National Veterinary Research Institute; Polonia. Animal and Plant Health Agency; Reino UnidoFil: McGowan, S.L.. Animal and Plant Health Agency; Reino UnidoFil: Finnegan, C.. Animal and Plant Health Agency; Reino UnidoFil: Heenemann, K.. University of Leipzig; AlemaniaFil: Carignano, Hugo Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Murakami, K.. Iwate University; JapónFil: Willems, L.. Université de Liège; BélgicaFil: Vahlenkamp, T.W.. University of Leipzig; AlemaniaFil: Trono, Karina Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; ArgentinaFil: Choudhury, B.. Animal and Plant Health Agency; Reino UnidoFil: Kuzmak, J.. National Veterinary Research Institute; Poloni

Serological and molecular detection of bovine leukemia virus in cattle in Iraq

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is highly endemic in many countries, including Iraq, and it impacts the beef and dairy industries. The current study sought to determine the percentage of BLV infection and persistent lymphocytosis (PL) in cattle in central Iraq. Hematological, serological, and molecular observations in cross breeds and local breeds of Iraqi cattle naturally infected with BLV were conducted in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 400 cattle (340 cross breed and 60 local breed) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On the basis of the absolute number of lymphocytes, five of the 31 positive PCR cases had PL. Among these leukemic cattle, one case exhibited overt neutrophilia. Serum samples were used to detect BLV antibodies, which were observed in 28 (7%) samples. PCR detected BLV provirus in 31 samples (7.75%). All 28 of the seropositive samples and the 3 seronegative samples were positive using PCR. Associations were observed between bovine leukosis and cattle breed, age and sex. Age-specific analysis showed that the BLV percentage increased with age in both breeds. Female cattle (29 animals; 7.34%) exhibited significantly higher infectivity than male cattle (two animals; 4.34%). In conclusion, comprehensive screening for all affected animals is needed in Iraq; programs that segregate cattle can be an effective and important method to control and/or eliminate the BLV