Incidence of bovine leukemia virus-specific antibodies in West African cattle

A sero-epidemiological survey of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in indigenous West African cattle was undertaken using a radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A high incidence of anti-BLV antibodies was found in the breeds tested and their crosses, whatever the test used. More extensive studies are needed to establish the prevalence of BLV infection in other parts of Africa; these may provide additional data on the similarities found between human and bovine leukemia viruses.