Serological profile of respiratory viruses in unvaccinated steers upon their arrival at Brazilian feedlot facilities

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoAHV1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3) are involved in bovine respiratory disease. These viruses can infect the respiratory system and cause considerable economic losses to beef and dairy cattle herds. This study aimed to determine the serological profiles of steers for BVDV, BoAHV1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 upon their arrival at Brazilian feedlot facilities. A total of 1,282 serum samples from unvaccinated steers were obtained on the first day of feeding. Samples were collected from 31 beef cattle herds reared in an extensive rearing system in six Brazilian states. Antibodies against BVDV, BoAHV1, BRSV, and BPIV-3 were detected using a virus neutralization test. The steers were distributed in agreement with their age and the Brazilian state of origin. The highest seropositivity was for BoAHV1 and BPIV-3 at 92.1% (1,154/1,253) and 86.6% (1,100/1,270), respectively. The seropositivity of BRSV was 77.1% (959/1,244). BVDV presented a lower rate, at slightly more than 50% (51.8%; 656/1,266). Age was a risk factor for the presence of antibodies against BVDV, BoAHV1, and BPIV-3 but not BRSV. A positive correlation was identified between BoAHV1 and BPIV-3 (P = 0.85) and between BRSV and BPIV-3 (P = 0.47). The high rate of seropositive steers for these four respiratory viruses on the first day of confinement identified in this serological survey provides important epidemiological information on respiratory infections, as the seropositivity of the four main bovine respiratory viruses in Brazilian beef cattle herds in an extensive rearing system.