Research Summary

Introduction

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a major viral pathogen of cattle, leading to substantial economic losses. A major source of loss is attributed to fetal infection with subsequent fetal pathology. The major source of virus transmission is cattle that are immunotolerant and persistently infected with BVDV. The objective of this study was to determine if a commercially available killed BVDV vaccine (CattleMasterR® Gold™ FP™ L5, Pfizer Animal Health) could protect cattle against viremia and fetal infection during continuous exposure to cattle persistently infected with the BVDV. This type of model may more closely represent natural challenge, including continuous exposure to multiple virus strains.