
ABSTRACT Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), a multifactorial syndrome driven by viral and bacterial co‐infections, poses significant challenges to cattle health in northern China. We performed a large‐scale epidemiological and phylogenetic investigation (2022–2024) to identify BRDC pathogens in the region. A total of 5052 samples from symptomatic Holstein calves (nasal swabs, sera, tissues) were analysed using virological, bacteriological and molecular methods. Viral pathogens—bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine parainfluenza virus‐3 (BPIV‐3) and bovine herpesvirus‐1 (BHV‐1)—dominated infections, with pronounced seasonal peaks in colder months. The prevalence of non‐cytopathic BVDV highlighted clinical difficulties. Bacterial infections involved Mycoplasma bovis ( M. bovis ), Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida , with M. bovis prevalent in mixed infections. Phylogenetic analysis revealed biological connections between Chinese isolates and international strains (e.g., BVDV subgenotypes 1a/1d and BPIV‐3c), showing global pathogen flow. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of viral popular structure. Meanwhile, seasonality strongly influenced viral dynamics, while bacterial detection remained stable, involving environmental and management factors. Pathogen co‐infections demonstrate the complexity of BRDC. This study provides the first comprehensive BRDC pathogen profile for northern China, emphasising the need for region‐specific control strategies, including multipathogen vaccines and improved biosecurity.
China, Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral, Coinfection, Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Bovine, Prevalence, Animals, Original Article, Cattle, Phylogeny, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Bovine, Herpesvirus 1, Bovine
China, Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral, Coinfection, Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Bovine, Prevalence, Animals, Original Article, Cattle, Phylogeny, Parainfluenza Virus 3, Bovine, Herpesvirus 1, Bovine
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
