Current data on infections caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) is one of the major infectious agents causing diseases in young cattle. The virus can be the primary cause of respiratory infections or it can be one of many agents causing a respiratory disease complex. The results of serological examinations and virus isolations have indicated that BRSV is widely distributed in cattle populations all over the world. Economical losses caused by BRSV are associated mainly with the mortality, high cost of treatment and slower growth rates of calves. Genuine progress in the diagnosis and prophylaxis of respiratory infections caused by BRSV was observed recently. The purpose of the paper is to present the current knowledge on epizootiology, diagnosis and control of respiratory infections caused by BRSV.