National Reference Laboratory for Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL)
Institute of Infectology
The Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) belongs to the genus ‘Delta-Retrovirus’ within the family of ‘Retroviridae’. The BLV causes persistent infection in cattle and is the causative agent of Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL). The virus primarily infects B lymphocytes. In infected animals, provirus can also be detected in macrophages and endothelial cells. Clinically inapparent courses may persist life-long or develop into other clinical forms of BLV manifestation. Persistent lymphocytosis is a benign, polyclonal proliferation of the peripheral blood lymphocytes which is characterized by an increase in the number of circulating B lymphocytes to between 40 and 80% of the lymphocyte population. Up to two years after infection, infected animals rarely develop persistent lymphocytosis. After 3 to 6 years in contrast, persisting lymphocytosis occurs in 30 to 70% of the naturally infected cattle depending on genetic and environmental factors. As a rule, animals with persistent lymphocytosis do not show any health problems in association with the disease. Tumorous leukosis is characterized by the occurrence of malignant lymphoma. Approx. 1-10% of the BLV infected animals and 10-30% of animals with persistent lymphocytosis develop the tumorous form.
Main research topics and projects
Research focuses on the immunopathogenesis of virus infections in a systemic persistent infection model. In this context, phenotypic analyses of the lymphocyte subpopulations after experimental BLV infection in cattle are carried out.
Overview of services
- Detection of proviral DNA of BLV infected cattle by means of nested PCR and real time PCR
- Detection of BLV specific antibodies by means of different ELISAs
- Detection of BLV specific antibodies by means of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test
- Supply of the OIE and EU reference serum E05
Overview of methods
- Isolation and detection of nucleic acids by means of RT-PCR, nested PCR, and real time PCR
- Detection of antibodies by ELISA, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and FACS
- Flow cytometry, cell sorting by MoFlo
- Cell culture
- Molecular biological methods for cloning and expression of proteins
Reference material
- OIE and EU reference serum for Enzootic Bovine Leukosis ‚E05’
Relevant legal regulations
- Regulation on notifiable animal diseases (TierSeuchAnzV) dd 3 November 2004, last modified on 18 December 2009
- Regulation on Bovine Leukosis (LeukoseV) dd. 13 March 1997, last modified on 20 December 2005
- OIE listed disease