NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE HOMOLOGY TO BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS-2 (BVDV-2) IN THE 5'-UNTRANSLATED REGION OF BVDVS FROM CATTLE WITH MUCOSAL DISEASE OR PERSISTENT INFECTION IN JAPAN

Cytopathogenic and non-cytopathogenic bovine viral diarrhea viruses (B VDVs) were isolated from cattle with mucosal disease or persistent inf ection in Japan. These isolates were compared for antigenic properties by cross-neutralization tests with Japanese reference strains of BVDV belonging to classical type 1. Significantly low cross-reactivity to reference strains was noted, indicating the viruses to possibly repres ent a new serotype in Japan. Thus, to determine the genotype of the is olates, nucleotide sequences of the 5' untranslated region were determ ined and compared with those of previously reported BVDV 1 and 2. The isolates were clearly shown to belong to BVDV 2, not to BVDV 1. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science B.V.