Isolation of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus From a Free-Ranging Mule Deer in Wyoming

Abstract

A noncytopathic type 1a bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) was isolated from a free-ranging yearling female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from northwestern Wyoming (USA). The mule deer was emaciated, weak, and salivating, and Arcanobacterium pyogenes was cultured from lung abscesses. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from lung, however, BVDV antigen was not detected by immunohistochemistry. The BVDV genotype was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and the RNA sequences from the 5'UTR and E2 genes compared with sequences of a type 1a BVDV isolated from cattle from the same area as the deer. The sequences from the deer BVDV were distinct from those of the bovine type 1a BVDV, but similar to other bovine type 1a BVDVs. Seventy-four (60%) of 124 sera collected from mule deer in this area had serum neutralizing antibody titers to type 1a BVDV of > or = 1:32. The high prevalence of seropositive mule deer and isolation of BVDV suggests that this virus circulates in the mule deer population. The isolate described in this report is the second reported BVDV isolate from free-ranging deer in North America and the first from a mule deer.

Monitoring for Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Austrian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus) by using Ear-notch Samples

“…In free-living and captive cervids, BVDV has been detected in a wide range of European and North American species such as roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) (Nettleton et al, 1980;Neumann et al, 1980;Frö lich and Hoffmann, 1995;Tessaro et al, 1999;Van Campen et al, 2001;Chase et al, 2008). Experimental infections in immunocompetent elk, mule and white-tailed deer, and reindeer showed no or only weak clinical signs but always transient viremia followed by seroconversion (Morton et al, 1990;Van Campen et al, 1997;Tessaro et al, 1999;Passler et al, 2007;Ridpath et al, 2007).…”

Failure to Detect Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Necropsied Farm-Raised White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) in Pennsylvania

“…Antibodies to BVDV have been detected in numerous wild and exotic ruminants in North America, Europe, and Africa. 1,5,8,11,15 There are few reports of experimental infections of cervids with BVDV. 13,14 In these reports minimal or no clinical disease was observed, although numerous animals became viremic, seroconverted, and/or shed virus.…”

“…13,16,17 In cattle, infection with BVDV can result in immunosuppression, diarrhea, poor reproductive efficiency, abortion, congenital anomalies, mucosal disease, or birth of persistently infected carrier animals. 12,13,15 Persistently infected cattle are the major source of BVDV as they continuously shed large quantities of virus into the environment; virus is also shed in lower amounts from acutely infected animals for several days after infection. 10 In addition to domestic ruminants and swine, BVDV-like pestiviruses have been isolated from several species of deer and various wild and exotic ruminants.…”

“…It has been suggested that cervids are susceptible to infection with BVDV but that they seldom develop disease. 13,15 As BVDV and other pestiviruses are not strictly host specific, it is important to know whether populations of wild or farm-raised cervids are susceptible to infection with BVDV, are reservoirs of BVDV, and serve as sources of infection for domestic cattle.…”

Persistent Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus Infection in Wild Cervids of Colorado

“…5 Other species with evidence of exposure include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 1,4 elk (Cervus elaphus), 1 moose (Alces alces), 9,19 and bison (Bison bison). 17 The virus has been isolated from mule deer 20 and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus; Ludwig J, McClurkin A: 1981, BVD in Minnesota white-tailed deer. Proceedings of the Wildlife Disease Association Conference, p. 38) in North America and other cervids worldwide.…”