Association of herd BRSV and BHV-1 seroprevalence with respiratory disease and reproductive performance in adult dairy cattle

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to detect the associations between bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) status of a herd and respiratory disease (BRD) occurrence and reproductive performance in pregnant heifers and cows. The association between management-related factors and higher BRD occurrence was also estimated.MethodsSerum samples, collected from cows and youngstock from 103 dairy cattle herds, were analyzed for antibodies against BHV-1, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), and Mycoplasma bovis. A questionnaire was used to collect data concerning herd management factors and reproductive performance, as well as the occurrence of clinical signs of respiratory disease in the last two years, as evaluated by the veterinarian or farm manager. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify and quantify the risk factors.ResultsA low to moderate prevalence (1-49%) of BRSV antibodies among youngstock was associated with a high occurrence of respiratory disease (OR = 6.2, p = 0.010) in cows and in-calf heifers. Employees of the farm may participate in the spread of such disease. Larger herd size, loose-housing of cows, housing youngstock separately from cows until pregnancy, and purchasing new animals were factors possibly related to a high occurrence of respiratory disease symptoms in pregnant heifers and cows. The highest risk of abortions (> 1.3%) and increased insemination index (number of inseminations per pregnancy) (> 1.9) occurred in herds with a moderate prevalence of BHV-1 antibodies (1-49%) in cows.ConclusionsBHV-1 was not associated with acute respiratory disease in adult dairy cattle, however was significantly related to reproductive performance. BRSV possesses the main role in respiratory disease complex in adult dairy cattle.

Bovine herpes virus-1 (BoHV-1) in cattle–a review with emphasis on reproductive impacts and the emergence of infection in Ireland and the United Kingdom

“…In a larger study of Estonian dairy herds comprising 9,637 animals in 65 seropositive and 38 seronegative herds, BoHV-1 was found to be significantly related to reproductive performance with the highest risk of increased insemination index and abortions occurring in herds with a moderate seroprevalence [23]. The odds ratios for these two events were 5.2 (95% C.I.…”

Effect of vaccination against bovine herpesvirus 1 with inactivated gE-negative marker vaccines on the health of dairy cattle herds

“…From our previous studies we reported a significant association between high occurrence of respiratory disease in unweaned calves and the presence of BHV-1 among cows (Raaperi et al, 2012b). However, BHV-1 was not significantly associated with high respiratory disease occurrence among heifers (Raaperi et al, 2012b) or cows (Raaperi et al, 2012c). Unfortunately there is no obligation to insert disease incidence data into the EARC database, so we could not test the change of respiratory disease incidence statistically.…”

Detection of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections in young dairy and beef cattle in Poland

“…In Belgium, the presence of BRSV was detected in 40% of tested beef cattle herds (Pardon et al 2011). In Estonia, the prevalence of BRSV was found to be 49% among dairy herds (Raaperi et al 2012). Similar findings have been reported in countries directly bordering Poland.…”