Global Distribution and Genetic Heterogeneity of Border Disease Virus

• Main Authors: Cecilia Righi, Stefano Petrini, Ilaria Pierini, Monica Giammarioli, Gian Mario De Mia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Viruses
• Subjects: border disease virus; genetic heterogeneity; global distribution; genotypes; phylogenetic analysis
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/6/950

Border disease virus (BDV) belongs to the genus <i>Pestivirus</i> of the family <i>Flaviviridae</i>. Interspecies transmission of BDV between sheep, cattle, and pigs occurs regularly, sometimes making diagnosis a challenge. BDV can yield substantial economic losses, including prenatal and postnatal infections in lambs, which are the primary source of infection and maintenance of the virus in the population. Since BDV is antigenically and genetically related to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), it might pose a significant risk to cattle, influencing BVDV eradication campaigns. Similarly, the presence of BDV in swine herds due to pestivirus spillover between small ruminants and pigs might cause uncertainty in classical swine fever virus (CSFV) diagnostics. Therefore, knowledge of BDV epidemiology in different geographical regions will help prevent its spread and optimize control measures. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that various BDV genotypes are predominant in different countries. This review provides an overview of the spread of BDV world-wide in different host species.