Serologic examination of aborted ovine and bovine fetal fluids for the diagnosis of border disease, bluetongue, bovine viral diarrhea, and leptospiral infections

Veterinary Science Department, South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007.

Fetal serum from most of 994 bovine and 553 ovine aborted fetuses was tested serologically for antibodies to border disease (BD), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), and bluetongue (BT) viruses, and to Leptospira sp., and the results were compared with the results of isolation procedures, fluorescent antibody tests (FAT), and histologic examinations of the same fetuses. Antibodies to BT virus were not found in any of the 994 bovine and 553 ovine fetuses. Antibody titers to BVD virus were present in 39 of 966 bovine fetuses tested, and BVD virus was detected in 4 of the 39. Four of 74 fetuses in which the BVD virus was detected by FAT or isolation had titers to BVD virus. Microagglutination (MAT) titers to 1 or more of 5 serovars of leptospires were present in 52 of 773 bovine fetal sera tested. Leptospires were not detected by FAT in any bovine fetuses that had leptospiral antibody titers. Leptospires were detected by FAT in 15 aborted calves, and none of these had MAT titers. Antibody titers to BD virus were present in 80 of 486 fetal lamb sera tested, and the virus was detected by FAT or isolation in 3 of the 80 fetuses. Border disease virus was detected in 14 of 486 fetal lambs tested. Twelve of the 14 were tested serologically and 3 had titers to BD virus. Leptospiral antibody titers were present in 27 of 326 ovine fetal sera tested. Leptospires were not detected in any of the 326 ovine fetuses tested by FAT.