# Identification and Long-Term Detection of Hepacivirus bovis Genotype 1 and 2 on a Cattle Farm in Germany

## TL;DR

Researchers in Germany identified and tracked Hepacivirus bovis genotypes 1 and 2 in cattle over several years, revealing reinfection patterns and virus variants.

## Contribution

First detection of Hepacivirus bovis genotype 2 in Germany and long-term tracking of genotypes 1 and 2 in cattle.

## Key findings

- BovHepV genotype 2 was first detected in Germany using NGS and confirmed by RT-PCR.
- Multiple BovHepV variants were found in the herd over several years.
- Cattle can be reinfected with BovHepV of the same or different subtypes.

## Abstract

In 2020, a dairy farm in northwest Germany reported several cows with severe respiratory disease, fever, and reduced milk production. Multiple direct and indirect diagnostic methods were used to identify the cause of the disease. However, the pathogens detected could not be correlated with the severity of the clinical symptoms, so further diagnostic steps were taken. Blood and nasal swab samples were examined using next-generation sequencing (NGS) as part of a metagenomic analysis. For the first time in Germany, Hepacivirus bovis genotype 2 was detected. Real-time RT-PCR assays confirmed the presence of BovHepV genotypes 1 and 2 in the herd between 2020 and 2023. Analyses of complete and partial genome sequences demonstrated the presence of different virus variants in the herd over several years. In addition, the sequence data indicated that cattle can be reinfected with viruses belonging either to different BovHepV subtypes or to the same subtype. Although no direct link could be established between the detection of bovine hepaciviruses and the observed clinical symptoms, the PCR and sequence data obtained provide valuable insights into the epidemiology and pathogenesis of BovHepV infections.