The First Molecular Survey on Bovine Immunodeficiency Virus in Egyptian Cattle

Abstract

Bovine viral immunodeficiency (BIV), often known as bovine lentivirus, is a disease affecting cattle and buffaloes worldwide. It is caused by the bovine immunodeficiency virus, a member of the Retroviridae family. Once BIV infects animals, it integrates the genome of the host cells and causes a progressive lifelong infection. Despite the record of the virus in various countries, BIV screening in Egyptian animals has never been investigated yet. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the BIV provirus was present in blood samples taken from dairy and beef cattle from six provinces in Egypt's northern, central, and southern regions. A total of 310 DNA samples extracted from cattle blood were investigated by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique using specific pol gene primers. The findings indicated the absence of BIV provirus in the analyzed samples. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of the tested samples range from 30 -36.5, while the Ct values of negative control were 29.7 -36.8. Because of the lack of positive control, UV light visualization of the target amplicon (385 bp) was conducted and revealed no evidence of BIV provirus in the tested samples. Although the investigated animals were grouped according to location, age, sex, breed, production type, and farming system, we could not analyze the potential risk factors because of the negative results in all tested samples. In conclusion, this study presented the first molecular screening of BIV provirus in Egyptian cattle. Additionally, a future large-scale survey on BIV in Egyptian cattle and buffaloes is recommended.