Effect of infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus on pulmonary clearance of an inhaled antigen in calves

Objective - To evaluate the effect of infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) on clearance of inhaled antigens from the lungs of calves. Animals - Eleven 6- to 8-week-old Holstein bull calves. Procedures - Aerosolized (99m)technetium (Tc-99m)-labeled diethylene triamine pentacetate (DTPA; 3 calves), commonly used to measure integrity of the pulmonary epithelium, and Tc-99m-labeled ovalbumin (OA; 8 calves), commonly used as a prototype allergen, were used to evaluate pulmonary clearance before, during, and after experimentally induced infection with BRSV or sham inoculation with BRSV. Uptake in plasma (6 calves) and lung-efferent lymph (1 calf) was examined. Results - Clearance of Tc-99m-DTPA was significantly increased during BRSV infection; clearance of Tc-99m-OA was decreased on day 7 after inoculation. Clearance time was correlated with severity of clinical disease, and amounts of Tc-99m-OA in plasma and lymph were inversely correlated with clearance time. Minimum amounts of Tc-99m-OA were detected at time points when pulmonary clearance of Tc-99m-OA was most delayed. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - BRSV caused infection of the respiratory tract with peak signs of clinical disease at 7 or 8 days after inoculation. Concurrently, there was a diminished ability to move inhaled protein antigen out of the lungs. Prolonged exposure to inhaled antigens during BRSV infection may enhance antigen presentation with consequent allergic sensitization and development of chronic inflammatory lung disease. Impact for Human Medicine - Infection of humans with respiratory syncytial virus early after birth is associated with subsequent development of allergic asthma. Results for BRSV infection in these calves suggested a supportive mechanism for this scenario.