Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

Description

Bovine viral diarrhoea is a viral disease that affects cattle worldwide. Caused by a pestivirus, it gives rise to significant economic losses in both dairy and beef cattle through its effects on production and reproduction. Bovine viral diarrhoea virus can lead to a variety of clinical outcomes that ranging from subclinical infections to the more severe presentations including abortion, infertility, and the fatal mucosal disease. The condition is highly immuno-suppressive and secondary respiratory and enteric complications often occur.

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

Classification

The viral aetiology of BVD was first established over 60 years ago, but it was not until the 1960s that the agent was assigned to the newly penned "Pestivirus" genus. At this stage Pestiviruses were considered to be non-arthropod-borne togaviruses; later, sequencing of genomic RNA showed that they are taxonomically better suited to the Flaviviridae family^{1, 2}. Many members of the Flaviviridae family are indeed arthropod-borne, such as the Flaviviruses West Nile Virus and yellow fever virus. However, Pestiviruses are not transmitted by insects, and the genus includes pathogens of cattle (BVDV), sheep (Border Disease virus) and pigs (Classical Swine Fever Virus).

Virus Structure

The BVDV genome comprises a single strand of positive sense RNA which is around 12.3 kilobases in length³. The genome is read in one 3898-codon open reading frame that contains no non-coding sequences. BVDV polyprotein is translated directly from the ORF and is cleaved by viral and cellular proteinases to form mature viral proteins^{3, 4}. At either end of the ORF, 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions exist. These regions are long, allowing them to accomodate fuctions conferred in eukaryotic DNA by the 5’ cap and the 3' poly-A tail, such as controlling the initiation of translation, facilitating the entry of replicases, and contributing to RNA stability⁴. BVDV's RNA genome encodes both structural and non-structural proteins. These include Npro, whose protease action generates the N-terminus of the protein C. C protein packages genomic RNA and assists in the formation of the eventual enveloped virion. Erns, E1 and E2 are all glycoproteins, with Erns possessing RNase activity involved in viral replication and pathogenesis⁵. E1 is membrane-anchored and initiates the translocation of the antigenic protein E2 to the envelope³. P7 has an uncertain function⁶. NS2-3 is the first non-structural protein to be translated. Sequence similarities are shown by NS2-3 to a region that in other Flaviviridae is split into two distinct polypeptides, NS2 and NS3. In BVDV, NS2 and NS3 can be expressed as separate polypeptides: NS3 is found exclusively in cytopathic isolates after 6 hours post-infection, making it an isolate of this biotype³. NS2 is also expressed as a discrete polypeptide in some, but not all, cytopathic isolates. NS2-3, along with the other non-structural proteins, plays an important role in genome replication. A serine protease domain within NS2-3 functions to release NS4A, NS4B, NS5A and NS5B⁷. NS4A is cofactor for the serine protease⁷, and NS5B possesses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity⁸. Knowledge of the role of NS4B is limited.

The structural proteins and the genomic material created by the actions of the non-stuctural proteins come together to form the 40-60nm BVDV virion. A central core of RNA packaged in the capsid protein (C), which is surrounded by a lipid membrane. The glycoproteins E1 and E2 are anchored within the membrane, and Erns is loosely associated. Since naked BVDV RNA is infectious (Dubovi, 1990; Donis, 1995), it is clear that virions do not contain RNA replication proteins. Instead, virion proteins and lipids “capture” the viral genome from the host cell cytoplasm and deliver it to that of uninfected cells. Enzymes for the production of new RNA from the genomic RNA template are provided by the infected host cell.

Virus Genotypes

There are two recognised genotypes of BVDV; type 1 and type 2. These differ antigenically (Paton et al., 1995), although classification based on sequence variation is more precise. Analysis of the 5’UTR has divided BVDV1 into 11 subtypes and BVDV2 into 3 subtypes (Vilcek et al., 2001). Despite large intra-genotype antigenic differences, type 1 vaccines give some degree of cross-protection against disease caused by type 2 viruses (Carman et al., 1998; Cortese et al., 1998; van Oirschot et al., 1999).

A split in virulence between genotypes is evident. BVDV1 species, including classical strains and common vaccine strains, tend to cause milder disease (Deregt, 2004) and are found worldwide. Alternatively, BVDV2 isolates typically cause more severe disease, characterised by fever, diarrhoea, thrombocytopaenia, haemorrhage, respiratory signs, and high abortion and mortality rates (Corapi et al., 1989; Carman et al, 1998). These viruses were first reported in Canada and the USA, although their distribution is widening. The first British case of type 2 BVDV was identified in 2002 (Drew et al., 2002).

However, genotype is not always an accurate indicator of virulence. Some type 2 strains cause only subclinical or mild disease (Ahn et. al, 2005), and the spectrum of type 1 disease is also broad.

Virus Biotypes

Within both BVDV genotypes, isolates can be classified as one of two biotypes. Noncytopathic (ncp) viruses produce no visible cytopathic effect in cell cultures, and infected cells appear normal (Figure 1.2a). Conversely, cytopathic (cp) viruses cause cell vacuolation and death (Figure 1.2b) within 24-48 hours post-infection. Cytopathogenicity gives no indication of disease-causing potential.Noncytopathic BVDV is responsible for the majority of acute and persistent BVDV infections worldwide. Cytopathic biotypes are usually found in cases of the fatal BVD-associated condition, mucosal disease, and are always isolated alongside noncytopathic strains.

Cytopathic viruses have been shown to originate from noncytopathic strains by several mechanisms of mutation. These include insertions of cellular origin, such as ubiquitin sequences, and viral gene rearrangements, duplications and deletions (Deregt and Loewen, 1995). Accumulation of point mutations in the NS2 region and various RNA recombination events are also important (Tautz et al., 1994).

Serologically, the two BVDV biotypes are indistinguishable, but on a molecular level cytopathic viruses produce an additional protein, NS3, not found in cells infected with noncytopathic virus (Donis and Dubovi 1987; Pocock et al., 1987; Magar et al. 1998). This marker of cytopathic viruses is a smaller version of the larger structural protein, NS2-3, expressed in noncytopathic isolates. The mutational generation of cytopathic strains gives a cleavage site in NS2-3, resulting in the independent expression of NS3 as well as the larger protein in these strains (Meyers and Thiel, 1996).

Figure 2 summarises the classification of BVDV down to the biotype level. For each biotype, there are many virus strains all with varying virulence and distribution.

Transmission and Epidemiology

According to antibody-detection based studies, 70 to100% of herds are currently or have recently been infected with BVDV, reflecting the endemic nature of the virus (reviewed by Houe, 1999).

BVDV can be transmitted from infected to susceptible cattle in several ways. Direct contact with a PI animal is the most efficient method, although interaction with those acutely infected can also give infection. BVDV is also excreted in the semen of both PI and acutely infected bulls, often causing seroconversion of female cattle after insemination (Kirkland et. al, 1991). Bulls and semen should therefore be tested before use for artificial insemination.

Virus may also be spread indirectly. Use of live or infected vaccines and reuse of needles, nose tongs (Gunn, 1993) or rectal gloves (Lang-Ree et al., 1994) may cause transmission. Blood feeding flies may also spread BVDV (Tarry et. al, 1991).

BVDV is diagnosed by the detection of virus or antibody in blood and milk samples. Antibody detection shows exposure of the herd to disease, whereas tests for antigen identify PI animals which may be antibody negative (Brownlie et. al, 2000).

Epidemiology

• A major concern is that it can be confused with FMD (especially as it often occurs with clinical signs of salivation and depression)
• Virus is widespread: 60-70% exposure by 4 years of age
  • Often may sweep through a whole colony of young stock causing profuse diarrhoea (perhaps febrile) for a few days and then recover
  • Due to primary exposure to cytopathic strain of virus
• PI cows:
  • 100% vertical transmission to offspring
  • Are infected with BVDV-1nc and NEVER BVDV-1c
  • Are often antibody-negative (though they can show low levels of Ab to heterologous virus)
  • Show a wide range of clinical signs:
    • Severe congenital damage (ataxia)
    • Poor body condition
    • Increased susceptibility to enteric and respiratory disease
  • Act as the herd reservoir of BVDV
  • Can ONLY be identified by blood testing
• Transfer via semen, direct contact with acutely infected animals, or vertical from dam to offspring
• Transfer can be iatrogenic: repeated use of needles and gloves, etc.

Pathogenesis

Initially, BVDV replicates in the nasal mucosa and tonsil to high titres. After spreading to regional lymph nodes, the virus disseminates throughout the body reaching highest concentrations in the tonsil, thymus and ileum. Leucocytes are also infected (Bruschke et al., 1998). BVDV can infect cells of the bone marrow (Spagnuolo et al., 1997), and intestinal mucosa. Lymphoid tissue of the Peyer’s patches and thymus is often depleted.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

BVDV infection can result in a range of clinical diseases, from subclinical infections to the highly fatal mucosal disease. While inter-genotype virulence differences are partially responsible for the variations in clinical manifestation, host factors are also important. Immuno-competence or immunotolerance, pregnancy status, gestational age of foetus, passively versus active immunity and levels of environmental stress may all contribute to the severity of disease.

1.2.1 Infection of the Immunocompetent, Non-Pregnant, Seronegative Animal

BVDV is generally considered a mild disease in immunocompetent cattle; it has been estimated that 70% to 90% of BVDV infections occur without clinical signs (Ames, 1986). If closely observed, sub-clinically infected cattle may show a small increase in body temperature, mild leucopaenia, and agalactia (Perdrizet et. al, 1987; Moerman et. al, 1994).

Clinical disease is known as BVD. This tends to affect animals 6-12 months of age with high morbidity, although fatality is uncommon (Baker, 1995). An incubation period of 5-7 days is followed by pyrexia and leucopaenia. Viraemia is apparent from 4-5 days post-infection, and may continue until day 15 (Duffell and Harkness, 1985). BVD no longer seems to present as herd outbreaks of diarrhoea (Brownlie, 1985). Although diarrhoea does sometimes occur, clinical findings more commonly include depression, anorexia, occulo-nasal discharge, decreased milk production and, occasionally, oral lesions (Baker, 1995). A rapid respiratory rate resembling pneumonia may also be observed (Perdrizet et. al, 1987).

Acutely infected non-pregnant animals shed low concentrations of virus compared to persistently infected cattle (Duffell and Harkness, 1985). Animals produce antibodies to BVDV 2 to 4 weeks after infection (Baker, 1995), which persist for life.

“Severe BVD” also exists, seen in the UK in 1992-1993 (Hibberd and Turkington, 1993), and in herd outbreaks between 1993 and 1995 in Ontario (Carman et. al, 1998). Infected animals showed acute onset of diarrhoea, fever and decreased milk production, sometimes proving fatal. Non-cytopathic, type 2 viruses were implicated in these cases, raising the issue of the degree of cross protection afforded by type 1 vaccines. However, severe disease was only seen in cattle where vaccine manufacturers’ instructions had not been followed, implying protection is usually given.

BVDV2 infection may also result in haemorrhagic syndrome (HS), reported in both North America (Perdrizet et. al, 1987; Rebhun et.al, 1989) and Europe. This is characterised by significant thrombocytopaenia, giving rise to bloody diarrhoea, petechial haemorrhages of mucous membranes and epistaxis (Rebhun et. al, 1989). Fever and leucopaenia are also seen.

1.2.2 Infection of the Immunocompetent, Pregnant, Seronegative Animal

Immunocompetent, pregnant cattle show the same responses to BVDV infection as non-pregnant animals. However, BVDV has a high potential to cross the placenta and infect the developing foetus, meaning additional outcomes of infection may occur in the calf. The main factor influencing the virus’s effects on the foetus is the gestational age at the time of transplacental infection.

Infection at the time of insemination may result in reduced conception rates, and that shortly after increases loss of embryos (Carlsson et. al, 1989; McGowan et. al, 1993). Foetal infection in the first trimester (50-100 days) can cause death, although expulsion of the foetus may not occur until several months later.

Figure 1.4: (from Brownlie et al., 2000) A calf stillborn due to transplacental BVDV infection.

Transplacental infection between days 100 and 150 may result in congenital defects. At this stage the immune system is in the final phase of development, and mounts an inappropriate inflammatory response to BVDV to cause these effects (Duffell and Harkness, 1985). Growth defects in organs such as the thymus, and central nervous system pathologies such as cerebellar hypoplasia, often arise (Brownlie, 1985). Calves with cerebellar hypoplasia are ataxic, reluctant to stand and may suffer tremors (Baker, 1995). Infection at this point may also cause visual problems, including blindness and cataracts. Virus may localise to the vascular endothelium, causing vasculitis and associated inflammation, oedema, hypoxia and cellular degeneration (Brownlie, 2000). Weak, stunted calves may also be produced.

Infection in the third trimester trimester (over 180-200 days) elicits a response from the fully-developed immune system, giving rise to normal but seropositive calves.

1.2.3 Persistent Infection- Immunotolerant Animals.

Infection of the foetus with non-cytopathic virus before 120 days gestation may result in the birth of immunotolerant and persistently infected (PI) calves. The immune system, although competent, recognises the antigen as “self” rather than “foreign” and no response is mounted. The calf therefore develops a tolerant state to the virus which persists into neonatal life. Although no antibodies are produced against the original, transplacental-infecting strain, heterologous BVDV strains can elicit a response in PI cattle. Therefore, these may prove seropositive if tested (Bolin, 1985).

While they may appear clinically healthy, PI animals continuously shed large amounts of virus throughout their lives, providing a major source of infectious virus for naïve cattle. (Houe, 1999). PI dams produce PI calves, resulting in PI family lines which maintain the virus in a herd (Baker, 1995). 1-2% of the cattle population are PI (Houe, 1999), rising to 13% in foetal calves.

PI cattle are predisposed to other diseases, and have a reduced survival rate (Houe, 1993) with 50% dying within their first year (Duffell and Harkness, 1985). This increased susceptibility may be due to BVDV-associated immunosupression, considered in section 1.2.5. Animals may be undersized and slow-growing, and persistent infection is the prerequisite for mucosal disease.

1.2.4 Mucosal Disease

Mucosal disease (MD) primarily affects 6-18 month-old cattle and is invariably fatal (Brownlie et. al, 2000). Baker (1995) summarises the characterising symptoms, which last several days to weeks. These include pyrexia, depression and weakness. Anorexia gives emaciation and dehydration. Foul-smelling, sometimes bloody, watery diarrhoea develops 2-3 days after the onset of disease. Animals are often euthanised for humane reasons. 

As suggested by the name, lesions develop on mucosal surfaces including the oral mucosa, tongue, external nares and the buccal and nasal cavities (Brownlie, 1985). Coalition of lesions gives larger areas of necrosis (Baker 1995), leading to excessive salivation, lacrimation, and ocular discharge. The coronet and interdigital surface are also affected, causing the animal to become disinclined to walk and eventually recumbent (Brownlie, 1985). Lesions of the abomasum and small intestine are seen on post-mortem examination, and congestion of the large intestine mucosa results in a stripy, thickened appearance (Brownlie, 1985). Figure 1.5 shows examples of tongue and small intestine lesions.

MD occurs when animals persistently infected with noncytopathic BVDV are superinfected with an antigenically similar cytopathic strain. Cytopathic virus arises from the persistent noncytopathic virus by mutation (see 1.1.4), and may then be transmitted to cause MD in animals PI with the same noncytopathic strain. Immunotolerance induced by the noncytopathic strain prevents superinfecting virus being recognised by the immune system; the biotypes are “homologous” to the immunotolerance (Brownlie, 1990). “Heterologous” superinfection with a non-related cytopathic biotype causes an antibody response and mucosal disease does not usually occur.

Figure 1.5: (From Brownlie, 1985) a) Tongue of a calf suffering mucosal disease. Complete loss of the epithelium has occurred at the apex. b) Lesion of the small intestine due to MD. These may appear chronic, and have food adhering to the surface.

1.2.5 Immunosupression in Mixed Infections

BVDV-induced leucopaenia reduces the defences available against invading pathogens, enhancing the pathogenicity of co-infecting organisms. BVDV can therefore be considered an immunosuppressive agent.

BVDV-associated immunosupression has a particularly important role in bovine respiratory disease, with an association between BVDV antibody titre and respiratory disease treatment being demonstrated (Martin and Bohac, 1986). BVDV is the virus most frequently isolated from pneumonic lungs, often found in association with Pasteurella haemolytica (described by Baker, 1995). This pathogen combination causes severe fibrino-purulent bronchopneumonia, with the area of pneumonic lesions increasing by 35-60% compared to that caused by Pasteurella infection alone (Brownlie, 1985). Synergism is also displayed with parainfluenza, bovine rhino-tracheitis and respiratory syncitial viruses.

Laboratory Tests

• Traditional test: virus isolation followed by serology on infected cells
• ELISA for virus antigen in animals with persistent viremia (will show up 3-8 days post-infection)
• PI calves often appear virus negative as a result of receiving neutralizing Ab in colostrum: can be countered by RT-PCR
• Paired serum samples from cows with acute BVDV
• Herd sampling by ELISA for antibody on bulk milk

Pathology

Small erosions of MDV/BVDV - vesicles are microscopic (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))

Coalescing lesions of BVDV (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))

• Mucosal Disease: erosive condition produces small multiple, cleanly punched out lesion in mouth
• Neutrophils invade the ulcer and if bacterial colonisation occurs, further excavation follows. Either:

1. This lesion develops a granular base and becomes diphtheritic.
2. If bacterial colonisation does not take place, healing occurs within fourteen days.

• Seen in most parts of mouth (or maybe on muzzle) e.g. dental pad, cheeks, sides of tongue
• Lesions extend throughout gut with particularly big ulcers in small intestine over Peyers patches. Necrosis occurs in lymph nodes and spleen

• No vesicular stage, prickle cells die off from surface resulting in layer of necrotic debris over epithelial layer
• Infection penetrates inward through stratum germinativum.
• Epithelium does not recover as animal does not recover

Treatment and Control

Once a herd’s status has been established, BVDV control measures can be implemented. Previously, PI animals have been used as natural “vaccinators” to increase herd immunity, although naïve animals must endure acute infection before this is achieved. Eradication by identification and culling of PI animals is possible, having been successfully accomplished in Scandinavia. However, this gives many seronegative, susceptible animals- an imperfect solution for those units not completely biosecure or highly committed to the scheme. Killed and live vaccines afford a good level of protection providing they are used correctly and boosted regularly. A combination of eradication and vaccination gives the best level of control (Brownlie et. al, 2000), and the development of “marker” vaccines that allow natural- and vaccine-induced immunity to be distinguished will help this cause in future.

• No known treatment to reverse persistent infection or to cure mucosal disease
• BUT, without exposure to BVDV, the whole herd is at risk as there is no developed immunity
• Vaccination of dams before pregnancy will prevent PI calves being born
  • Beta-propiolactone inactivated vaccine
  • Combine with screening for antigen and removal of PI animals

References

1. Collett, M S et al (1988) Proteins encoded by bovine viral diarrhoea virus: The genomic organisation of a pestivirus. Virology, 165(1), 200-208.
2. Meyers, G et al (1989) Molecular Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the genome of hog cholera virus. Virology, 171(2), 555-567.
3. Donis, R O(1995) Molecular biology of bovine viral diarrhea virus and its interactions with the host. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 11(3), 393-424.
4. Dubovi, E J (1990) Molecular biology of bovine virus diarrhoea virus. Revue Scientifique et Technique, 9(1), 105-114.