Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Calicivirus Infections in Cattle

TL;DR

This paper reviews the clinical and epidemiological aspects of calicivirus infections in cattle, highlighting their impact on health and potential zoonotic risks.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the three calicivirus genera in cattle, emphasizing their neglected status and transmission dynamics.

Findings

Bovine noroviruses and neboviruses are linked to neonatal calf diarrhea and often co-infect with other pathogens.

Bovine vesiviruses are associated with respiratory disease, vesicular lesions, and abortions, with zoonotic potential.

Global serological surveys show widespread exposure to caliciviruses in cattle populations.

Abstract

Caliciviruses are a family of small viruses that infect many different animals, including cattle. Three specific types (genera) of caliciviruses infect cows: Norovirus, Nebovirus, and Vesivirus. Both bovine noroviruses and neboviruses are important causes of diarrhea in young calves, often contributing to a condition known as neonatal calf diarrhea. Bovine vesiviruses are related to viruses found in marine mammals and pigs and can cause respiratory problems, blisters (vesicles), and abortions in cattle. Caliciviruses are found in cattle herds globally. Importantly, some bovine caliciviruses have zoonotic implications. While vesiviruses are known to infect humans, the risks posed by bovine noroviruses and neboviruses are still being investigated. Further investigation is needed to define the mechanisms of viral spread between homologous and heterologous hosts.

The family Caliciviridae encompasses a diverse group of non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses that are significant pathogens in veterinary medicine. This narrative review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the clinical, molecular, and epidemiological features of the three calicivirus genera identified in bovine hosts: Norovirus, Nebovirus, and Vesivirus. Bovine noroviruses and neboviruses are neglected enteric pathogens, frequently detected in association with neonatal calf diarrhea and often present in co-infections with other enteric agents. Clinical presentations for these enteric viruses range from severe, watery diarrhea to asymptomatic shedding, with distinct pathogenic profiles observed between norovirus genotypes GIII.1 and GIII.2. In contrast, the genus Vesivirus exhibits a broad host range, and bovine vesivirus strains are phylogenetically linked to vesiviruses identified in pigs and marine animals. Bovine vesivirus infections are associated with a broader spectrum of clinical manifestations, including respiratory disease, vesicular lesions, and abortion. Serological and virological surveys indicate that exposure to these viruses is ubiquitous in cattle populations globally. While direct evidence of human infection by bovine noroviruses and neboviruses remains limited, vesiviruses possess a confirmed capacity for cross-species transmission to humans. Significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding in vitro culture systems, necessitating further research to facilitate vaccine development and clarify transmission dynamics.

Figures