[Important virus infections of the respiratory tract in cattle from the clinical point of view].

The etiological participation of different viruses in the pneumonia complex of cattle is undisputed. The significance of the individual viruses in the genesis of disease symptoms is still mostly unclear. Since the pneumonia complex of cattle is a multifactorial syndrome, vaccination programs as the only measure of prophylaxis in most cases do not show the desired effect. Against those viral agents causing self-standing diseases of the respiratory tract, specific vaccinations are applicable with success. Prerequisite for their effectiveness, however, is the exact etiological clarification of the cause of disease or of the existing infections respectively in the herd. The frequency of possible viral agents in infections of the respiratory tract in cattle from herds of the province of Schleswig-Holstein found in routine diagnostic work during the last four years is presented in addition.