Natural infections with HoBi‐like pestivirus (HoBiPeV) have been detected in cattle in South America, Europe and Asia with a range of clinical manifestations including fatal mucosal disease (MD). In India, although HoBiPeV in cattle has been reported, there is no information on currently circulating HoBiPeV strains and associated severe clinical disease. Between September 2018 and December 2019, suspected cases of bovine viral diarrhoea with severe disease in cattle were noticed in farmers’ small holdings in Tamil Nadu State. To determine the extent of pestivirus infection, blood, serum, nasal or oral swab samples of 46 cattle from 18 villages were tested. Based on the real‐time RT‐PCR, antigen ELISA and nucleotide sequencing results, pestivirus was detected in nine cattle from eight villages in two districts and all pestiviruses were identified as HoBiPeV. All nine HoBiPeV‐infected cattle displayed clinical signs resembling MD and HoBiPeV isolates (n = 9) obtained were characterized at genetic and antigenic level. Phylogenetic analyses based on 5′‐untranslated regions (5′‐UTR), Npro and combined 5′‐UTR‐Npro gene sequences revealed that eight HoBiPeV isolates clustered into a clade, distinct from all reported HoBiPeV clades (a–d), whereas one belonged to HoBiPeV‐d clade, thus providing evidence of emergence of a novel HoBiPeV clade (e). This was also supported by HoBiPeV‐e clade‐specific amino acid substitutions in Npro and the antigenic reactivity patterns. The study demonstrates the existence and independent evolution of five HoBiPeV clades (four main clades) globally and surprisingly three exclusive to India. Also we confirm first HoBiPeV occurrence in southern India with predominant prevalence of HoBiPeV‐e strains. Besides demonstrating increased HoBiPeV genetic diversity, here we show association of HoBiPeV with severe clinical disease involving fatalities highlighting impact of HoBiPeV on cattle health. The emergence of a novel HoBiPeV lineage provides new insights on global HoBiPeV epidemiology and genetic diversity reiterating the need for continuous monitoring of HoBiPeV in India.

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle in Cauvery delta region over a period of one year. A total of 228 giemsa stained blood smears were screened for the presence of haemoprotozoa, out of which 34 animals were found to be positive. An overall prevalence of haemoparasites in the sampled cattle were 14.9%, among this Anaplasma sp (8.3%), Babesia sp (3.95%), Theileria sp (2.19%) and Trypanosoma sp (0.44%) as single or mixed blood parasitic infections. In this study Anaplasmosis (14%) was highly prevalent during the winter season and Babesiosis (13.73%) was highly prevalent during summer months followed by Anaplasmosis (9.8%) and Theileriosis (7.8%), the lowest prevalence of Trypanosomiasis was observed during the rainy season. The seasonal variation in prevalence of haemoprotozoan disease might be due to influence of climatic factors on density of vector population in that geographical area. Haemogram revealed decreased level of haemoglobulin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count. The serum biochemistry revealed elevated level of liver enzyme Asparate transaminase enzyme. All haemoparasitaemic animals were treated with specific drugs and recovered successfully.

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A four and half-year-old recently calved cross breed Jersey cow was presented with the clinical signs of anorexia, recurrent bloat, bruxism and not voided dung for the past one week. Clinical examination revealed congested mucous membrane, sunken eyeball, and severely distended lower abdomen; clinically, bloat was evident. On Auscultation of heart at 4th intercoastal space, low-intensity heart sounds were heard. Rectal examination revealed scanty foul-smelling dung with blood tinge. In an attempt to relieve the bloat rumen stomach was intubated, which failed to relieve the gas. The clinical suspicion pointed to the possibility of foreign body syndrome. Hence radiography was done by keeping the animal in standing position; however it revealed no clear contour of heart, reticulum, and diaphragm; another attempt was made, wherein the animal was cast on right lateral recumbency and radiography was done at 90-100 kVp, 50-60 mAs and a focus film distance of 90-100 cm using an 800 mA X-ray machine. As we would not get any diagnostic confirmation findings in radiography, an ultrasonographic assessment was planned. Ultrasonography was done with (Esoate Mylab 1) 2.5. to 5 MHz curvy linear transducer. Ultrasound examination of the heart (Venkatesan et al., 2019) and reticulum (Braun et al., 1993) was done at the left side between 4th to 5th intercostal space of thoracic cavity using the window between 6th to 8th intercoastal in the abdominal cavity. Physical examination revealed a dull and depressed animal; distended left flank, moderate dehydration, elevated rectal temperature (40°C), low-intensity heart sounds with a normal heart rate was observed. Hematology was unremarkable; smear study was negative for blood parasites.