Bovine coronavirus: Review

Abstract

Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) is part of the Coronaviridae family. This virus belongs to a simple enveloped RNA chain that has 4 or 5 proteins (M, Sm, He, S and I), they project on a double layer of lipids. In addition to enteric infections related to BCoV (diarrhea in neonates and winter dysentery) there is also evidence that it is an agent of respiratory syndromes which can be fatal in adult cattle. Thus, studies show that initially it replicates causing gastrointestinal infections and later affects the nasal turbinates, trachea and lung. (Pavarini, 2009). There are some ways to detect bovine coronavirus, as already mentioned, the use of ELISA, electron microscopy, viral culture, PCR, hemagglutination assay. BCoV transmission is a direct horizontal transmission, when the animal comes into contact with the virus from food or water contaminated with the feces or respiratory secretion of the infected animal. The incubation period is 3 to 7 days, to show clinical signs such as diarrhea in animals, but before the appearance of new clinical signs, the animal can already eliminate the virus in large quantities. The prophylaxis of Coronavirus infections is related to the adoption of correct management practices, in addition, several types of vaccines have been developed to protect herds, with application in calves and adult animals. It was found in the present study that bovine coronavirus (BCov) is the etiological agent responsible for acting and / or aggravating infections associated with diarrhea and respiratory diseases in cattle of all ages, etiology and pathology not very precise, being an extremely contagious virus, which affects the health of the herd and the world economic sector in order to have a significant mortality rate among calves, and a high morbidity.