Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Turkey

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an infectious agent that is extensively observed worldwide and is among the crucial pathogens of the cattle industry. BVDV infection causes gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity and associated potential risk factors for the risk assessment of BVDV infection in the dairy cattle population in the Aegean Region of Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, 552 serum samples were collected between August 2018 and September 2019 from 48 herds that were not vaccinated against BVDV. Farmers were interviewed using a questionnaire on potential BVDV risk factors. BVDV-specific antibodies in serum samples were detected using a commercial indirect-ELISA kit. The herd-level and animal-level prevalence of BVDV seropositivity was 89.58% (95% CI: 77.83-95.47) and 48.37% (95% CI: 44.23-52.54), respectively. The multivariable logistic regression model analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between BVDV infection and age, common pasture use with small ruminants, the use of natural insemination, and history of respiratory and/or reproduction problems. The results of this study showed that BVDV infection is common in dairy herds in the Aegean Region. The risk assessment would aid the implementation of a voluntary control programme for BVDV in this region.