Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Animal Science

Advisor/Mentor

Lauren Rogers

Committee Member

Adnan Alrubaye

Second Committee Member

Ken Coffey

Third Committee Member

Lauren Rogers

Abstract

Bovine leukosis, a bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection, is an economically significant disease in cattle that can lead to the development of lymphosarcoma, a type of cancer that can affect various tissues and organ systems within the body. Arkansas ranks 11th in the U.S. for the number of beef cows, and its beef cattle industry is the seventh largest agricultural commodity in the state. As a result, a better understanding of this virus and its prevalence within the state is needed. The objective of this study was to determine the general prevalence of BLV in Arkansas beef cattle within six different geographical regions of the state. A total of 530 previously collected bovine serum samples were evaluated using the Leukosis Serum Screening Antibody Test kit (Idexx). These samples were collected from beef cattle over 2 years of age across the state during the fall of 2019 and had been stored at -18°C. Data were analyzed using a Chi-squared test of independence. Overall, a total of 295 (55.7%) of the animals sampled tested seropositive for BLV. Rates of regional seroprevalence ranged from 25.2% to 79.7%. The highest percentage of prevalence was found along Crowley’s Ridge in the northeastern corner of the state at 79.7% (55 positive out of 69 tested). The lowest percent prevalence was found in the Ozark Mountain region at 25.2% (28 positive out of 111 tested). Other geographic regions sampled included: the Mississippi alluvial plane (69.6%, 55 positive out of 79 tested), the Arkansas River valley (67.8%, 59 positive out of 79 tested), the coastal plain region (60.4%, 64 positive out of 106 tested) and the Ouachita Mountain region (43.6%, 34 positive out of 78 tested). Overall, there was a positive (P < 0.05) correlation between geographic region and seroprevalence. The information gathered by this study provides substantial evidence that BLV is enzootic within the state of Arkansas and suggests that geographical and environmental factors may play a critical role in BLV transmission. Ultimately, these regional positivity rates will be applied to a state map, which will be distributed to county extension agents and producers for educational purposes.

Keywords

beef cattle, bovine leukosis, bovine leukemia virus, ELISA, lymphosarcoma, seroprevalence

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