Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the primary causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in cattle worldwide. Accurate and rapid identification of causative pathogenic agents is essential for effective disease management and control. In this study, a novel multiplex fluoresc...

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Main Authors: Fuxing Hao, Chunhao Tao, Ruilong Xiao, Ying Huang, Weifeng Yuan, Zhen Wang, Hong Jia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1629
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author Fuxing Hao
Chunhao Tao
Ruilong Xiao
Ying Huang
Weifeng Yuan
Zhen Wang
Hong Jia
author_facet Fuxing Hao
Chunhao Tao
Ruilong Xiao
Ying Huang
Weifeng Yuan
Zhen Wang
Hong Jia
author_sort Fuxing Hao
collection DOAJ
description Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the primary causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in cattle worldwide. Accurate and rapid identification of causative pathogenic agents is essential for effective disease management and control. In this study, a novel multiplex fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of eight major pathogens associated with BRDC. The targeted pathogens included the following: bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine coronavirus (BcoV), <i>Mycoplasma bovis</i> (M.bovis), <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> (PM), <i>Mannheimia haemolytica</i> (MH), and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). The assay was rigorously optimized to ensure high specificity with no cross-reactivity among targets. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be as low as 5 copies per reaction for all target pathogens. The coefficient of variation (CVs) for both intra-assay and inter-assay measurements were consistently below 2%, demonstrating excellent reproducibility. To validate the clinical utility of the assay, a total of 1012 field samples were tested, including 504 nasal swabs from Farm A and 508 from Farm B in Jiangsu Province. BVDV, BcoV, PM, and MH were detected from Farm A, with a BVDV-positive rate of 21.63% (109/504), BcoV-positive rate of 26.79% (135/504), PM-positive rate of 28.77% (145/504), and MH-positive rate of 15.08% (76/504). Also, BcoV, PM, MH, and IBRV were detected from Farm B, with a BcoV-positive rate of 2.36% (12/508), PM-positive rate of 1.38% (7/508), MH-positive rate of 14.76% (75/508), and IBRV-positive rate of 5.51% (28/508). Notably, a significant proportion of samples showed evidence of mixed infections, underscoring the complexity of BRDC etiology and the importance of a multiplex diagnostic approach. In conclusion, the developed multiplex qPCR assay provides a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective tool for simultaneous detection of multiple BRDC-associated pathogens, which will hold great promise for enhancing disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and targeted intervention strategies, ultimately contributing to improved BRDC management and cattle health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-ce8ddd28c89f4f66a5db6934db9d0b722025-08-20T03:56:45ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-07-01137162910.3390/microorganisms13071629Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical SamplesFuxing Hao0Chunhao Tao1Ruilong Xiao2Ying Huang3Weifeng Yuan4Zhen Wang5Hong Jia6Jiangsu Agri-Animal Husbandry Vocational College, Taizhou 225300, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaInstitute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, ChinaBovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is one of the primary causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in cattle worldwide. Accurate and rapid identification of causative pathogenic agents is essential for effective disease management and control. In this study, a novel multiplex fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of eight major pathogens associated with BRDC. The targeted pathogens included the following: bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine coronavirus (BcoV), <i>Mycoplasma bovis</i> (M.bovis), <i>Pasteurella multocida</i> (PM), <i>Mannheimia haemolytica</i> (MH), and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV). The assay was rigorously optimized to ensure high specificity with no cross-reactivity among targets. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be as low as 5 copies per reaction for all target pathogens. The coefficient of variation (CVs) for both intra-assay and inter-assay measurements were consistently below 2%, demonstrating excellent reproducibility. To validate the clinical utility of the assay, a total of 1012 field samples were tested, including 504 nasal swabs from Farm A and 508 from Farm B in Jiangsu Province. BVDV, BcoV, PM, and MH were detected from Farm A, with a BVDV-positive rate of 21.63% (109/504), BcoV-positive rate of 26.79% (135/504), PM-positive rate of 28.77% (145/504), and MH-positive rate of 15.08% (76/504). Also, BcoV, PM, MH, and IBRV were detected from Farm B, with a BcoV-positive rate of 2.36% (12/508), PM-positive rate of 1.38% (7/508), MH-positive rate of 14.76% (75/508), and IBRV-positive rate of 5.51% (28/508). Notably, a significant proportion of samples showed evidence of mixed infections, underscoring the complexity of BRDC etiology and the importance of a multiplex diagnostic approach. In conclusion, the developed multiplex qPCR assay provides a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective tool for simultaneous detection of multiple BRDC-associated pathogens, which will hold great promise for enhancing disease surveillance, early diagnosis, and targeted intervention strategies, ultimately contributing to improved BRDC management and cattle health outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1629bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC)multiplex qPCRdiagnosismixed infection
spellingShingle Fuxing Hao
Chunhao Tao
Ruilong Xiao
Ying Huang
Weifeng Yuan
Zhen Wang
Hong Jia
Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
Microorganisms
bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC)
multiplex qPCR
diagnosis
mixed infection
title Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
title_full Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
title_fullStr Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
title_short Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of Eight Pathogens Associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex from Clinical Samples
title_sort development of a multiplex real time pcr assay for the detection of eight pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease complex from clinical samples
topic bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC)
multiplex qPCR
diagnosis
mixed infection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1629
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