The Veterinary Record, Vol 140, Issue 11, 275-277
Copyright © 1997 by British Veterinary Association

Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus: inactivation in milk by pasteurisation

¹ Virology Department, Central Veterinary Laboratory, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB

Bioassay was used to determine whether bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) in milk was inactivated by pasteurisation. Three groups of three calves were inoculated with virus (BIV isolate FL112), milk seeded with virus and milk seeded with virus that had been pasteurised before inoculation, respectively. Seroconversion to BIV was monitored for 12 months by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The presence of BIV proviral DNA in peripheral blood was determined by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The animals were euthanased and virus isolation and PCR were attempted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, prescapular lymph node and spleen. Transmission of BIV was confirmed in the groups that were inoculated with the virus and with the virus in milk, but no evidence of its transmission was demonstrated in the group that received the pasteurised inoculum.