Bovine reovirus is a viral agent widely distributed in cattle herds, primarily associated with enteric, respiratory, and reproductive infections, especially in young calves. Bovine reovirus belongs to the family Reoviridae, genus Orthoreovirus, and is generally involved in subclinical infections or in association with other pathogens, contributing to multifactorial disease patterns.
Bovine reovirus is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route, through contact with contaminated feces, water, feed, and environments. Infection is facilitated by poor husbandry practices, stress, high stocking densities, and failures in the transfer of passive immunity to newborn calves.
Clinical signs vary depending on the animals’ age and immune status. In calves, the virus may be associated with diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, and stunted growth. Mild respiratory infections and reproductive disorders have also been reported, particularly when there is coinfection with other viruses and bacteria.
Prevention of bovine reovirus infections relies on general biosecurity measures, including good hygiene practices, adequate colostrum feeding, environmental control, and biosecurity. There are no specific vaccination programs targeting bovine reovirus exclusively; control depends primarily on reducing predisposing factors.
Laboratory diagnosis is important for identifying bovine reovirus in investigations of enteric and respiratory diseases. Molecular methods, such as RT-PCR, enable the detection of viral genetic material, while viral isolation and serological techniques can be used as complementary tools in epidemiological monitoring.
Continuous epidemiological surveillance, combined with laboratory diagnosis and appropriate management, contributes to our understanding of the role of bovine reovirus in infectious disease complexes within herds. These measures help reduce production losses, improve animal health, and strengthen the sustainability of the cattle industry.
In this context, Bioperfectus’ rapid test for bovine reovirus serves as a practical screening tool to support disease surveillance in cattle herds. The use of the rapid test enables the rapid identification of suspect animals directly in the field, especially during investigations of enteric and respiratory conditions in calves, facilitating the immediate adoption of management measures, the reinforcement of biosecurity, and the submission of samples for confirmation via laboratory methods. Thus, the rapid test complements molecular diagnosis, contributing to the early detection of Bovine Reovirus, the reduction of the agent’s spread, and the strengthening of control strategies in infectious complexes within cattle farming.
