Natural infection of pigs with bovine viral diarrhea virus and its differential diagnosis from hog cholera.

Natural infection of pigs with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) through contact with infected cattle has caused problems in diagnosing hog cholera (HC). Low cross-reacting serum antibody titers against HC caused by BVDV infection were found in clinically normal pigs as well as those suspected of having HC. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from specimen tissues and initially identified as HC virus (HCV), using the fluorescent antibody cell culture technique. Additional cell cultures, as well as pig and calf trials, were necessary to identify it as BVDV. The isolate caused clinical signs of illness in the calves, whereas the pigs remained healthy. Bovine viral diarrhea virus may be detected in tissue sections or isolated in cell cultures and confirmed as HCV, using the HC fluorescent antibody conjugate. Laboratories performing the neutralization test for HC should use discretion when interpreting HC titers unless BVD titers are determined on the same serums.