Detection of BHV-1 and BRSV viruses in European bison in the Białowieża forest: a preliminary study

Jose L Valverde Piedra,Diana Stęgierska,Wojciech Socha,Jerzy Rola,Jan Marczuk,Renata Urban-Chmiel,Andrzej Wernicki

doi:10.1080/09712119.2015.1124335

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) in herds of European (Polish) bison in the Białowieża National Park. The materials consisted of nasal swabs and sera (n = 35) obtained from male and female Polish bison ranging in age from 1 to 3 years. Anti-BRSV and BHV-1 antibodies were detected using commercially available indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The occurrence of BHV-1 and BRSV was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription (RT-PCR) methods, respectively. In the examined nasal samples and sera only 3 of 35 were BRSV positive using the ELISA kit and in RT-PCR. In the case of BHV-1, 6 of the 35 samples were positive in ELISA and PCR methods. Of the six individuals that tested positive for BHV-1, three were also seropositive for BRSV. Individuals reacting positively in the ELISA assay were confirmed using PCR for BHV-1 and in RT-PCR for BRSV. In summary, these studies confirm the presence of BRSV and BHV-1 viruses in European Bison in Poland, and should be continued in more herds of bison in Poland.

Highlights

Infections induced by the viruses, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are a significant health problem in the aetiopathogenesis of respiratory syndrome in cattle
In the case of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) detection, 6 of the 35 samples were positive in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 3 were positive the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods
Of the six individuals that tested positive for BHV-1, three of them were seropositive for BRSV

Summary

Introduction

Infections induced by the viruses, bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) are a significant health problem in the aetiopathogenesis of respiratory syndrome in cattle. Other reports (Haigh et al 2002) have confirmed the occurrence of various aetiological infectious agents for cattle in the wild ruminants population (European bison, American bison, red deer, chamois, etc.) in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and European countries. These agents include viruses of the herpes family (BHV-1 and 2), parapoxviruses, picornaviruses (Food and Mouth Disease – FMD), paramyxoviruses (PI-3), adenoviruses, coronaviruses, rotaviruses and flaviviruses (bovine viral diarrhoea virus – BVDV), as well as parasites, such as Dermacentor sp., Dictyocaulus sp., Ostertagia sp., Fasciola sp. These agents include viruses of the herpes family (BHV-1 and 2), parapoxviruses, picornaviruses (Food and Mouth Disease – FMD), paramyxoviruses (PI-3), adenoviruses, coronaviruses, rotaviruses and flaviviruses (bovine viral diarrhoea virus – BVDV), as well as parasites, such as Dermacentor sp., Dictyocaulus sp., Ostertagia sp., Fasciola sp. and others (Haigh et al 2002)

Objectives

Methods

Results