Epidemiological study of pestiviruses in South American camelids in Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
In the context of the ongoing eradication campaign for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cattle in Switzerland, the role of South American camelids (SAC) as a possible virus reservoir needed to be evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
To assess and characterize the prevalence of pestivirus infections in SAC in Switzerland.


METHODS
Serum samples collected from 348 animals (40 herds) in 2008 and from 248 animals (39 herds) in 2000 were examined for antibodies against pestiviruses and for the presence of BVDV viral RNA.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using stratified, representative herd sampling. An indirect BVDV-ELISA was used to analyze serum samples for pestivirus antibodies, and positive samples underwent a serum neutralization test (SNT). Real-time RT-PCR to detect pestiviral RNA was carried out in all animals from herds with at least 1 seropositive animal.


RESULTS
In 2008, the overall prevalence of animals positive for antibodies (ELISA) and pestiviral RNA or was 5.75 and 0%, respectively. In 2000, the corresponding prevalences were 3.63 and 0%, respectively. The seroprevalences (SNT) for BVDV, border disease virus or undetermined pestiviruses were estimated to be 0, 1.73, and 4.02% in 2008, and 0.40, 1.21, and 2.02% in 2000, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
At the present time, SAC appear to represent a negligible risk of re-infection for the BVDV eradication program in cattle in Switzerland.
Mudry
M
M
Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
Meylan
M
M
Regula
G
G
Steiner
A
A
Zanoni
R
R
Zanolari
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002161:Camelids, New World; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D018182:Pestivirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral