Neutralizing antibodies to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) and bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) viruses in cattle in Tunisia.

A serological survey was conducted in an attempt to detect antibodies to bovine respiratory viruses in cattle from several localities around Tunis. Blood was collected from approximately 10% of the animals in each of the 44 farms visited and tested for specific antibodies against bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) and bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) viruses, by ELISA and serum neutralization (SN). Antibodies to PI-3 and BHV-1 viruses were demonstrated in 55.3% and 25.9% animals, respectively. An overall 21.2% of the 170 animals tested had antibodies to both viruses. The incidence of antibody presence varied at different location. A correlation of the presence of BHV-1 antibody with breed and age of the animals was observed; however, no such relationship for PI-3 antibodies appeared to exist.