Epidemiology of Pestivirus H in Brazil and Its Control Implications

Abstract

Along with viruses in the Pestivirus A (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus 1, BVDV1) and B species (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus 2, BVDV2), members of the Pestivirus H are mainly cattle pathogens. Viruses belonging to the Pestivirus H group are known as HoBi-like pestiviruses (HoBiPev). Genetic and antigenic characterization suggest that HoBiPev are the most divergent pestiviruses identified in cattle to date. The phylogenetic analysis of HoBiPev results in at least five subgroups (a–e). Under natural or experimental conditions, calves infected with HoBiPev strains typically display mild upper respiratory signs, including nasal discharge and cough. Although BVDV1 and BVDV2 are widely distributed and reported in many South American countries, reports of HoBiPev in South America are mostly restricted to Brazil. Despite the endemicity and high prevalence of HoBiPev in Brazil, only HoBiPev-a was identified to date in Brazil. Unquestionably, HoBiPev strains in BVDV vaccine formulations are required to help curb HoBiPev spread in endemic regions. The current situation in Brazil, where at this point only HoBiPev-a seems present, provides a more significant opportunity to control these viruses with the use of a vaccine with a single HoBiPev subtype. Despite the lack of differentiation among bovine pestiviruses by current BVDV tests, the reduced genetic variability of HoBiPev in Brazil may allow reliable identification of cases within the region. On the other hand, introducing foreign ruminants, biologicals, and genetic material to South America, especially if it originated from other HoBiPev-endemic countries, should consider the risk of introducing divergent HoBiPev subtypes.

Prevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Ovine and Caprine Flocks: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Sheep and goats are widely distributed around the world, and both often coexist in the same farm, regardless of the fact that intensive and free-range farming often intersects geographically (76). In order to pursue quality increase, other species are often introduced, increasing the transmission of the disease (34,77). In addition, the use of public pastoral areas, as well as the cross-working of breeding or technical personnel methods can contribute to the spread of BVDV, so we have analyzed and will discuss sheep and goats together.…”

Whole-Genome-Sequence-Based Evolutionary Analyses of HoBi-like Pestiviruses Reveal Insights into Their Origin and Evolutionary History

“…Indeed, India has a long trade history of cattle germplasm imports from Brazil and several European countries for upgrading the native cattle breeds ( Bos indicus ). Moreover, despite the high prevalence of HoBiPeV in Brazil, only strains of the HoBiPeV-a clade with little genetic variation have been identified to date [ 44 ].…”

HoBi-like Pestivirus Is Highly Prevalent in Cattle Herds in the Amazon Region (Northern Brazil)

“…The genetic composition of pestiviruses in Brazil is diverse. Although BVDV-1a, BVDV-2b, and HoBiPeV represent almost 80% of the isolates identified thus far, the presence of the subtypes BVDV-1b, 1d, 1e, and 2c has been reported [ 21 , 24 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”