Evidence of circulating BPIV-3 genotype A in cattle and buffaloes in Maharashtra, India and clinico-pathological insights.

BACKGROUND

Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (BPIV-3) an enveloped RNA virus in the Paramyxoviridae family, is known to be a major cause of "shipping fever" and Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC) in cattle and buffaloes all over the world.

METHODS

This study investigated the prevalence and clinico-pathological characteristics of Bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (BPIV-3) in cattle and buffaloes from the Akola district of Maharashtra, India. A total of 1410 bovines (cattle and buffalo) of varying ages, breeds and sexes were examined and pulmonary lesions or respiratory symptoms were revealed in 254 animals. From these 254 animals 194 lung tissues and 60 nasal swabs were collected. PCR assay was used to confirm the BPIV-3 infection.

RESULT: PCR confirmed BPIV-3 infection in 5.51% of the samples, with specific amplicons of 328 bp detected in positive cases. Clinico-pathological findings included high fever, ocular-nasal discharge and conjunctivitis, while gross examination revealed cranio-ventral lung consolidation, edema and emphysema. Histopathology demonstrated acute broncho-interstitial pneumonia, suppurative bronchopneumonia and significant inflammatory infiltration. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the matrix (M) gene placed the Indian BPIV-3 isolates within genotype A, closely related to Asian strains from Japan and China but distantly related to U.S. strains.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide the first molecular evidence of circulating BPIV-3 genotype A in Indian cattle and buffaloes from Maharashtra State India, emphasizing the need for further surveillance and control measures to mitigate its impact on livestock health.