Application of the polymerase chain reaction to the detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus infections in cattle

Abstract

We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections in cattle. Of 120 cattle screened in this study, 29 were scored positive for BVDV with both PCR and conventional virus isolation. Ninety cattle were negative in both assays. One cow was scored positive for BVDV with the PCR but was negative with virus isolation. In dilution experiments PCR analysis was at least 10 times more sensitive than BVDV isolation.