Detection of enzootic bovine leukosis in cattle using nested polymerase chain reaction assay

Abstract

Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection. BLV was detected in cattle using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and were identified BLV infected cattle farms in five selected provinces in the Philippines. A total of 300 cattle blood samples were used. BLV Proviral DNA was extracted and amplified using nested PCR assay targeting the BLV long terminal repeat (LTR). Results showed that 11 samples (3.67%) of the 300 cattle blood samples used were positive for BLV infection. This study is considered first report of cattle EBL in the Philippines.