MECHANISM OF PROTECTION FROM PRIMARY BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS-INFECTION .1. EFFECTS OF DEXAMETHASONE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (4) , 355-359
Abstract
The role of cellular immunity and passive antibody in protecting neonatal calves from primary bovine viral diarrhea virus [BVDV] infection was studied. Administration of corticosteroids (dexamethasone) in doses capable of suppressing cellular immunity markedly potentiated systemic BVDV infection in calves which lacked anti-BVDV passive neutralizing antibody. Immunosuppressed calves did not form neutralizing antibody to BVDV and developed a fatal viremia. Calves with high levels of passive anti-BVDV neutralizing antibodies were protected from the effect of corticosteroids. The results suggest an essential role for humoral passive antibody, but not for cellular immunity, in protection from primary systemic BVDV infection in calves.