Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) genetic diversity in Spain: A review

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a member of the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae, causes significant losses in cattle farming worldwide because of reduced milk production, increased mortality of young animals and reproductive, respiratory and intestinal problems. The virus is characterized by an important genetic, and consequently antigenic and pathogenic diversity. Knowing the variability of viral strains present in a population provides valuable information, particularly relevant for control programs development, vaccination recommendations and even identification of likely infection sources. Such information is therefore important at both local and regional levels. This review focuses on the genetic diversity of BVDV isolates infecting cattle in Spain over the last years. According to the published data, the most prevalent BVDV group in Spain was 1b, and to a lesser extent 1d, 1e and 1f. Besides, BVDV-2 has also been found in Spain with several ratified isolates. The studies carried out in Spain also showed increased genetic heterogeneity of BVDV strains, possibly due to a more intensive use of analytical tools available, presenting studies with increasingly greater sample sizes.

Distribution of Pestivirus exposure in wild ruminants in Spain

“…These regions perfectly match with those showing statistical differences for particular species in the post hoc tests (Table 2). This situation, joined to the high exposure to pestiviruses of livestock species in Spain (Arnaiz et al, 2012; Diéguez et al., 2017), suggests that non‐chamois wild ruminants act as spillover hosts rather than true reservoirs of Pestivirus . In this sense, most studies carried out in domestic species were focused on dairy husbandry, so that the distribution patterns and the infection status by pestiviruses in other livestock production systems are still little known in several regions of mainland Spain.…”

“…HF567456), as was previously described (OIE, 2019). Pestivirus A and D isolates were chosen for this analysis since they have been the main circulating Pestivirus species in livestock and wildlife in Spain between 2003 and 2018 (Colom‐Cadena et al., 2018; Diéguez et al., 2017; Factor et al., 2016; Hurtado et al., 2003, 2004; Luzzago et al., 2016; Marco et al., 2007; Paniagua et al., 2016; Valdazo‐González et al., 2006, 2007). Neutralizing antibody titres were expressed as the reciprocal of the highest dilution that neutralized 100 tissue culture infective doses (100 TCID 50 ) in all cultures, calculated according to the method described by Reed and Muench (1938).…”

“…Pestiviruses A and B (formerly named Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus‐1 [BVD‐1] and BVD‐2), and Pestivirus D (formerly named Border Disease Virus [BDV]) are among the main causatives of reproductive disorders in cattle and sheep, and antibody prevalence scales up to 85% and 50% in Europe, respectively (Houe, 1999; Nettleton, 2000). In Spain, Pestiviruses A and D represent the main circulating pestiviruses in livestock and wildlife, being widespread in domestic ruminant species (Berriatua et al., 2006; Diéguez et al., 2017), with seroprevalences ranging from 17.1% in the Northwest to 65.6% in the South of the country (Arnaiz et al, 2012). Pestivirus B has been sporadically isolated from livestock, especially in Northwestern and Central Spain (Elvira‐Partida et al., 2017; Factor et al., 2016).…”

Lytic cycle of Besnoitia besnoiti tachyzoites displays similar features in primary bovine endothelial cells and fibroblasts

“…Interactions between B. besnoiti and BVDV could be relevant in the pathogenesis of bovine besnoitiosis, with consequences at the molecular level and in the clinical presentation of the disease under field conditions. In several regions of Spain, BVDV is frequently circulating in herds [55], and its immunosuppressive properties are widely known since this virus is capable of altering both innate and adaptive responses in cattle [56, 57]. However, the possible synergism of B. besnoiti and BVDV coinfections is unknown.…”

Comparative study in the control of bovine viral diarrhea

“…Within the Spanish livestock sector, meat production dominates, accounting for 73%, and milk production is in second place, accounting for 18% of production (Castel et al ., 2011). The area with the highest concentration of cattle, both dairy and sucklers, is the north of Spain (Diéguez et al ., 2017). Livestock production in Spain has transformed from a domestically oriented to an internationally focused industry, and has moved from an extensive to an intensive industrial model (Ríos-Núñez and Coq-Huelva, 2015).…”