NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES AGAINST PESTIVIRU S IN BOVINE SERA FROM PERNAMBUCO STATE, BRAZIL

An epidemiological survey was performed to evaluate the prevalence of serum antibody to Pestivirus (NADL strain of BVD/MD virus) among cattl e from Pernambuco State, Brazil. Of 288 sera, 209, (72.6%) were positi ve. The population was stratified according to age: E = estratum - I(6 to 12 months), E-II (12 to 24 months), E-III (24 to 36 months), E-IV (over 36 months). Statistifically significant (X(2); P <0.05) differen ces were found between the folowing: E-I (45.4%) and E-III (78.05%); E -I and E-IV (82.7%); and E-II (60.0%) and E-IV. This indicates a posit ive association between age and positive infection. Moreover, statisti cally significant (X(2); P <0,05) difference between the rates recorde in amales (42.8%) and females (78.6%) was observed. These findings in dicate a high activity of a BVD/MD (NADL) antigenically related virus.