Isolation of Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) from Tabanus trigeminus Sucking Blood of BLV-Seropositive Cattle

Abstract

Tabanus trigeminus flying over and swarming on 4 seropositive cattle were captured and their heads and blood clots in the abdomen were examined for bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Approximately 120 insects were blood sucking for 2 h on a fine day. Syncytium formation was induced on CC81 cell inoculated with lymphocytes from the heads of the insects but not with those from the sucking blood clots of the abdomen. After rearing together with the 4 seropositive cattle mentioned above in a pasture for 6 months, all the 6 seronegative cattle became seropositive.