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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #73863
Title: ISOLATION OF A BOVINE ADENOVIRUS SEROTYPE 10 FROM A CALF IN THE UNITED STATES

Author
item LEHMKUHL, HOWARD
item CUTLIP, RANDALL
item DEBEY, BRAD - UNIV.OF CA.,TULARE, CA.

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Respiratory tract disease is a leading cause of economic loss to the cattle industry. Adenoviruses are known to produce both respiratory and enteric disease in cattle. We isolated an adenovirus (strain T94-1621) from samples collected from a dead calf. The virus was characterized as a bovine adenovirus serotype 10 which has not been isolated previously in the United States. The virus was used to inoculate calves to see if it would produce disease. The calves developed mild to moderate clinical respiratory tract disease but not enteric disease. Lesions were observed in the lungs and intestinal track of the inoculated calves. This information is important for veterinary diagnosticians and if the virus is demonstrated to be widespread in the United States there may be a need to develop a vaccine.

Technical Abstract: Virus isolated from the lung, liver, kidney and small intestine of a 3-month old Holstein heifer with a clinical history of pneumonia and lesions in multiple organs was identified as an adenovirus based on morphological and physiochemical characteristics. The adenovirus was determined to be a serotype 10 bovine adenovirus and represents the first reported isolation of this serotype in the United States. Inoculation of calves with this isolate resulted in mild to moderate clinical response consisting of fever, inappetence, increased respiratory rate, cough and listlessness. Gross lesions were minimal in the respiratory tract and consisted of fibrin in the airways and small areas of consolidation in the cranial lobes of the lung. Mucofibrinous foci were present on the mucosa of the upper small intestine.