Serological study of BVDV and BHV-1 infections in industrial dairy herds of Arak, Iran

BVDV and BHV-1 are considered as worldwide, complicated and economically significant infections associated with a range of clinical syndromes in cattle. As clinical syndromes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, abortion and reproductive losses were repeatedly reported in dairy herds in suburbs of Arak, this study was planned to determine the prevalence of antibodies to BVDV and BHV-1 in industrial dairy herds in the region. For this purpose, a total of 803 serum samples from 12 non-vaccinated herds were collected between June to October 2008 and evaluated for BVDV and BHV-1 antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Antibodies were detected against BVDV in all herds, but only one herd was free from BHV-1. The prevalence rate of 54.3% and 35.6% was estimated for BVDV and BHV-1, respectively. In addition, statistical analysis showed significant associated seropositivtiy to both infections. The results notably exhibited that both BHV-1 and BVDV infections are highly prevalent in the region, indicating that control measures should be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of these infections.