Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Abstract

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major pathogen involved in bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which is one of the disease complexes responsible for severe economic losses in cattle production [1]. Pure BRSV infections alone may cause acute and fatal illness, but coinfections with other respiratory viruses are often diagnosed simultaneously [2] and viral infections commonly precede bacterial colonization of the bovine lung [3]. The prevalence of BRSV is considered high worldwide, even based on direct detection by conventional techniques with moderate sensitivity, or indirect detection by serology, which is hampered by the inhibitory effect of preexisting immunity on humoral responses to infections [4]. However, novel, high-throughput molecular techniques with improved sensitivity provide new means to understand the real direct and indirect impact of this infection on agricultural profits, animal welfare, and the use of antibiotics.