title: Laboratory diagnosis and transmissibility of bovine viral diarrhea virus from a bull with a persistent testicular infection.
abstract: Recently, in the United States, a dairy bull was diagnosed as the second confirmed case of persistent testicular infection (PTI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). The first objective of this study was to evaluate the testing methodologies currently used by the artificial insemination industry in order to improve the detection of bulls with PTI. This study evaluated the impact of multiple factors ([1] sample tested, [2] sample handling, [3] assay used, and [4] assay methodology) on the sensitivity of detection of BVDV. The second objective of this study was to evaluate the transmissibility of BVDV from the bull through casual or sexual contact. Results from this study indicate that straws of semen should be transported to the diagnostic laboratory in liquid nitrogen dry shippers. PCR proved to be a more sensitive assay than virus isolation; however, certain PCR protocols exhibited greater diagnostic sensitivity than others. Insemination with cryopreserved semen from this infected bull caused viral transmission to a seronegative heifer resulting in viremia and seroconversion. After 42 months of age, the bull appeared to clear the infection. In conclusion, this bull validates that natural exposure to a 1a strain of BVDV can result in a unique PTI causing contamination of semen with detectable infectious virus. Appropriate handling and testing of samples is necessary in order to detect bulls exhibiting PTI. Additionally, PTI with BVDV may potentially be cleared after an extended duration.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. Electronic address: bwn0001@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Benjamin W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Newcomer
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toohey-Kurth
authors.affiliation: Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, USA.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68501, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Brodersen
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: M Shonda
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Marley
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Kellye S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Yijing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Galik
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Kay P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Riddell
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: M Daniel
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Givens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001912:Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission*; D002417:Cattle; D030241:Diarrhea Virus 1, Bovine Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D014481:United States
keywords: Bovine viral diarrhea virus; Bull; Semen; Testicular infection