Seroepizootiology of types 3 and 7 adenoviruses and bovine viral diarrhea virus infections of beef cattle from birth to first parturition.

Twenty-nine female Angus cattle were monitored from birth until 24 months of age for infection with types 3 and 7 adenoviruses (AV3, AV7) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus by virus isolation and neutralization tests. Twenty-seven animals remained in the study for 450 days, whereas 16 animals remained at the conclusion of the tests. Viruses were not isolated from test animals. Seroepizootiologic examination indicated that there were 28 infections with AV3, 33 infections with AV7, and 13 infections with BVD virus. Of these infections, 5 with AV3, 6 with AV7, and 2 with BVD virus were reinfections. All but 1 primary AV3 infection had occurred between 180 and 360 days after parturition. Infection with AV7 occurred earlier than that with AV3, as shown by 6 seropositive animals by 180 days. Most adenovirus infections were documented after animals had left confinement and were turned out to pasture. Most BVD virus infections occurred within the first 90 days after parturition. At completion of the study, only 1 animal had not shown evidence of AV3 infection, 2 animals had not been infected with AV7, and 7 cows had remained free of BVD virus infection.