SEROPREVALENCE OF BOVINE RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (BRSV) IN VOJVODINA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of serological examination of respiratory infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) on dairy farms and cattle feedlots in Vojvodina. Seropositive animals were detected on all examined farms. The seroprevalence differed depending on the age of examined animals, i.e. of animal production group. For dairy cattle seroprevalence was the lowest in calves aged about 3.5 months, and in animals older than 1 year it was 100%. In the calves between 30 and 70 days of age, when pneumonia was frequent, seroconversion was not detected. Upon the arrival of new calves in feedlots seroprevalence was 22.89%. The number of seropositive animals during the fattening period increased, so after reconvalescence of clinical pneumonia, 90% of animals were seropositive, and 96.43% at the end of fattening period. This investigation detected prevalence of BRSV and its importance in the etiology of pneumonia, especially in feedlots.