Bovine leukemia virus
Bovine Leukemia Virus[edit | edit source]
The Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) is a retrovirus that infects cattle, leading to a condition known as enzootic bovine leukosis. This virus is a member of the Deltaretrovirus genus, which also includes the Human T-lymphotropic virus. BLV primarily affects the immune system of cattle, leading to the proliferation of B lymphocytes.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
BLV is primarily transmitted through the transfer of infected blood and other bodily fluids. Common routes of transmission include:
- Vertical transmission from dam to calf, either in utero or through colostrum and milk.
- Horizontal transmission via blood-contaminated equipment, such as needles, dehorning tools, and ear tagging devices.
- Insect vectors such as biting flies may also play a role in transmission.
Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]
Once inside the host, BLV targets B lymphocytes, integrating its genome into the host cell's DNA. This integration can lead to the transformation of infected cells, resulting in lymphocytosis and, in some cases, the development of lymphosarcoma. The majority of infected cattle remain asymptomatic, but a small percentage develop clinical signs of disease.
Clinical Signs[edit | edit source]
Most BLV-infected cattle do not show any clinical signs. However, in cases where the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Lymphadenopathy
- Weight loss
- Decreased milk production
- Fever
- Anorexia
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of BLV infection can be achieved through several methods:
- Serological testing to detect antibodies against BLV.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral nucleic acids.
- Histopathological examination of affected tissues.
Control and Prevention[edit | edit source]
Control of BLV infection involves management practices aimed at reducing transmission:
- Implementing biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of infection.
- Regular testing and culling of infected animals.
- Use of single-use needles and equipment.
- Pasteurization of milk to prevent vertical transmission.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
