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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371240
Research Project: Identification of Disease Mechanisms and Control Strategies for Viral Respiratory Pathogens of Ruminants

Location: Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research

Title: The immunology of bovine respiratory disease: recent advancements

Author
item MCGILL, JODI - Iowa State University
item Sacco, Randy

Submitted to: Veterinary Clinics of North America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2020
Publication Date: 4/21/2020
Citation: McGill, J.L., Sacco, R.E. 2020. The immunology of bovine respiratory disease: recent advancements. Veterinary Clinics of North America. 36(2):333-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.03.002.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.03.002

Interpretive Summary: Susceptibility to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is related to a number of factors, with a complex interaction between various stressors, multiple viral and bacterial pathogens and the host immune response. Despite the widespread availability of vaccines and antimicrobial compounds, BRD remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and economic loss to the cattle industry. While vaccination is a critical tool in preventing and controlling BRD outbreaks, the continued high prevalence of the disease underlines a fundamental gap in our understanding of the host immune response to respiratory infection. However, in recent years, several advancements have been made in our understanding of the immune system’s role in protecting – and potentially harming – the host, and how multiple pathogens of the BRD complex interact to evade the host response. In this invited review, we provide an update on advances in our knowledge on the immunology of BRD that have occurred over the last decade.

Technical Abstract: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and economic loss to the cattle industry. The continued high prevalence of the disease underlines a fundamental gap in our understanding of the host immune response to respiratory infection. The host immune response is paradoxically both beneficial and detrimental, required for clearing the disease, but often leading to tissue damage and long-term defects in lung function. This article highlights the advancements made in the last 10 years in our understanding of innate and adaptive immunity BRD, factors that predispose the animal to BRD, and novel intervention strategies which may lead to changes in our approach to treating and controlling BRD in the coming decades.