Diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of bovine viral diarrhea virus in cattle (Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from the Amazon region and Southeast Brazil

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a highly infectious pathogen that affects bovines worldwide leading to great economic impact. Although Brazil has the largest commercial cattle population throughout the world and an increasing buffalo breeding industry, the country has no control or eradication program for BVDV. In this perspective, the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of BVDV in cattle and buffaloes from two Brazilian states. Four different ELISA tests were performed and confirmed by virus neutralization testing (VNT). The presence of BVDV antibodies in the serum or plasma from 77 cattle from six herds (ELISA-1 and ELISA-4) and from 89 buffaloes from three herds (ELISA-1 through ELISA-4) was detected. Extraction of viral RNA was performed from the serum or plasma samples for the detection of BVDV by RT-PCR analysis. Amplified nucleotide sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. In cattle, ELISA-1 detected 49.4% of seropositive animals, while ELISA-4 detected 37.7%. In buffaloes, ELISA-1 failed to detect any seropositive animals, while ELISA-2 and ELISA-3 detected 20.2% of seropositive animals, and ELISA-4 detected 21.3%. Eight of the nine herds tested had seropositive animals. The rate of PCR positive animals was 6.5% in cattle and 9% in buffaloes. Subtype 1d was found in cattle, and subtypes 1d and 1f were found in buffaloes. This is the first-time subtype 1f has been reported in Brazil. The absence of a control and eradication program seems to be favoring the spread of BVDV in the Brazilian herds. In addition, the improvement of diagnostic strategies for BVDV in buffaloes are required. RESUMO: Diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) é um patógeno altamente infeccioso que afeta bovinos em todo o mundo elevando o impacto econômico. Apesar de o Brasil possuir a maior população bovina comercial em todo o mundo e uma indústria de criação bubalina em ascendência, o país não tem programa de controle e erradicação para BVDV. Nessa perspectiva, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a ocorrência do BVDV em bovinos e bubalinos de dois estados brasileiros. Quatro testes de ELISA foram realizados e confirmados por teste de vírus neutralização (VNT). A presença de anticorpos contra BVDV no soro ou plasma de 77 bovinos de seis rebanhos (ELISA-1 e ELISA-4) e de 89 búfalos de três rebanhos (ELISA-1 ao ELISA-4) foi detectada. Extração de RNA viral foi realizada em amostras de soro ou plasma para detecção de BVDV por análise de RT-PCR. Sequências de nucl