The extended genetic diversity of BVDV-1: Typing of BVDV isolates from France

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) type I and type 2 belong to the genus Pestivirus, family Flaviviridae. BVDV-1 is a causative agent of bovine viral diarrhoea and mucosal disease. Highly virulent BVDV-2 isolates may cause haemorhagic syndrome with high mortality of cattle. The BVDV RNA genome is highly variable which complicates its laboratory detection by both classical and molecular-genetic assays. On the other hand, the variability of BVDV genome is used for genetic typing and epidemiological studies.