Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2015Peer reviewedOpen access

A bovine respiratory syncytial virus model with high clinical expression in calves with specific passive immunity

Blodörn, Krister; Hägglund, Sara; Gavier-Widen, Dolores; Eleouet, Jean-François; Riffault, Sabine; Pringle, John; Taylor, Geraldine; Valarcher, Jean François

Abstract

Background Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in cattle worldwide. Calves are particularly affected, even with low to moderate levels of BRSV-specific maternally derived antibodies (MDA). Available BRSV vaccines have suboptimal efficacy in calves with MDA, and published infection models in this target group are lacking in clinical expression. Here, we refine and characterize such a model. 

Results In a first experiment, 2 groups of 3 calves with low levels of MDA were experimentally inoculated by inhalation of aerosolized BRSV, either: the Snook strain, passaged in gnotobiotic calves (BRSV-Snk), or isolate no. 9402022 Denmark, passaged in cell culture (BRSV-Dk). All calves developed clinical signs of respiratory disease and shed high titers of virus, but BRSV-Snk induced more severe disease, which was then reproduced in a second experiment in 5 calves with moderate levels of MDA. These 5 calves shed high titers of virus and developed severe clinical signs of disease and extensive macroscopic lung lesions (mean+/−SD, 48.3+/−12.0% of lung), with a pulmonary influx of inflammatory cells, characterized by interferon gamma secretion and a marked effect on lung function. 
Conclusions We present a BRSV-infection model, with consistently high clinical expression in young calves with low to moderate levels of BRSV-specific MDA, that may prove useful in studies into disease pathogenesis, or evaluations of vaccines and antivirals. Additionally, refined tools to assess the outcome of BRSV infection are described, including passive measurement of lung function and a refined system to score clinical signs of disease. Using this cognate host calf model might also provide answers to elusive questions about human RSV (HRSV), a major cause of morbidity in children worldwide.

Keywords

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus; Experimental infection model; Calves; Maternal immunity; Aerosol

Published in

BMC Veterinary Research
2015, volume: 11, article number: 76

SLU Authors

Global goals (SDG)

SDG3 Good health and well-being

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science
Other Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-015-0389-6

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/71169