Relative susceptibility of beef and dairy calves to infection by bovine leukemia virus via tabanid (Diptera: Tabanidae) feeding

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1993
Authors:D. L. Hasselschwert, French, D. D., Hribar, L. J., Luther, D. G., Leprince, D. J., Van der Maaten, M. J., Whetstone, C. A., Foil, L. D.
Journal:Journal of Medical Entomology
Volume:30
Pagination:472-473
Date Published:1993
Keywords:Cattle, Disease, Louisiana, Mechanical transmission, Tabanidae, Tabanus fuscicostatus, USA, Virus
Abstract:

Differences in susceptibility of beef (mixed breeds) and dairy (Holstein) calves to infection by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) were compared. Transmission was accomplished by interrupted feeding of horse flies, Tabanus fuscicostatus Hine, on a donor cow exhibiting persistent lymphocytosis. Flies were transferred individually from the donor cow to each of 11 beef and 10 dairy calves. Transmission of BLV was accomplished with groups of 50 and 250 flies for beef calves and 75 and 250 for dairy calves. These findings indicate that susceptibility of beef and dairy calves to transmission of BLV by tabanids is equivalent and that BLV prevalence differences previously observed among cattle breeds may be caused by management practices.

Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith