Study of the spread of minor viral cattle infections (Leukemia, Immunodeficiency, and Spumavirus infection) using polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of minor cattle infections (leukemia, bovine immunodeficiency and spumavirus infection) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples were collected from cows in conditionally leukemia-free farms in ten regions of Ukraine to determine the presence of these infections. The samples were examined via classical PCR to detect the genetic material of the specific fragment of the ENV gene of the leukemia virus using BLV-env-3/BLV-env-4 primers recommended by the OIE. To identify the proviral DNA of bovine foamy virus (BFV), primers Int 1-Int 2 and Int 3-Int 4 were used, and for the detection of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) proviral DNA, a pair of primers RT_+(–) flanking the conservative domain of reverse transcriptase and a pair of primers flanking the pol gene of the BIV were selected. The situation concerning leukemia is most severe in Sumy and Kharkiv regions. A significant percentage of animals carrying the foamy virus was observed in farms in Kirovohrad, Kherson, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions. Moreover, genetic material of the immunodeficiency virus was found in samples from Kirovohrad, Donetsk, and Kherson regions. These results indicate a significant prevalence of minor infections among cattle in Ukraine due to a lack of awareness among livestock workers, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive sanitary and preventive measures