Bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection and diagnostic methods of BVDV-infection in Hungary

The authors summarize the very complex pathogenesis of BVDV infection, pre- and post-gestation infection and the immunological status of the cattle leading to different outcomes. Acute infection with BVDV results in transient viraemia prior to seroconversion and can lead to reproductive dysfunction and immunosuppression leading to increased incidence of secondary disease. Infection of the dam between 30th and 125th day of gestation may result in the birth of persistently infected calves. PI animals shed BVDV in all body fluids throughout their life and are the main source of transmission of the virus as virus reservoirs. The authors also summarize the direct and indirect diagnostic tests used at the NFCSO Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate to diagnose clinical cases, and to establish disease prevalence in groups and detect apparently normal but persistently infected animals.