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Ryo Harasawa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Palindromic nucleotide substitutions: A new software for Pestivirus genotyping
    2013
    Co-Authors: Massimo Giangaspero, Claudio Apicella, Ryo Harasawa
    Abstract:

    The genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae is represented by four established species; Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), Bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2), Border disease virus (BDV) and Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and a tentative “Giraffe” species. The palindromic nucleotide substitutions (PNS) in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of Pestivirus RNA have been described as a new, simple and practical method for genotyping. The preparation of specific software was considered for an easy access of the users to the method. In the present study, the new software, named PNS, was prepared and the application on the genotyping procedures with the keys for Pestivirus identification as specific PNS at genus, species and genotype level, respectively, was evaluated on five hundred-tirty-four sequences. The software is freely available at www.pns-software.com

  • Genotypes of Pestivirus RNA detected in anti-influenza virus vaccines for human use.
    Veterinaria italiana, 2004
    Co-Authors: Massimo Giangaspero, Ryo Harasawa, Mathias Büttner, Alfonso Panuccio, Alessandro Zanetti, Angelo Belloli, Vacirca G, De Giuli Morghen C, Antoine Verhulst
    Abstract:

    Nine polyvalent human influenza virus vaccines were tested by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of Pestivirus RNA. Samples were selected from manufacturers in Europe and the USA. Three samples of the nine vaccines tested (33.3%) gave positive results for Pestivirus RNA. The 5'-untranslated genomic region sequence of the contaminant Pestivirus RNA was analysed based on primary nucleotide sequence homology and on secondary sequence structures characteristic to genotypes. Two sequences belonged to Pestivirus type-1 (bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV]) species, genotypes BVDV-1b and BVDV-1e. These findings confirm previous reports, suggesting an improvement in preventive measures against contamination of biological products for human use.

  • Genotypes of Pestivirus RNA detected in live virus vaccines for human use.
    The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2001
    Co-Authors: Massimo Giangaspero, Giovanni Vacirca, Ryo Harasawa, Mathias Büttner, Alfonso Panuccio, Carlo De Giuli Morghen, Alessandro Zanetti, Angelo Belloli, Antoine Verhulst
    Abstract:

    Live virus vaccines for human use, 29 monovalent vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella or polio, eight polyvalent vaccines against measles-mumps-rubella and one bacterial polyvalent vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae, were tested by reverse transcriptase-nested PCR for the presence of petivirus or Pestivirus RNA. Twenty-four samples were selected from European manufacturers, ten were from U.S.A. and four from Japan. Five (13.1%) out of 38 tested samples were positive for Pestivirus RNA. Three vaccines (rubella and two measles) were from Europe and two (mumps and rubella) from Japan. The 5'-untranslated genomic region of the contaminant Pestivirus RNA were amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced. Analyses based on primary nucleotide sequence homology and on secondary structures, characteristic to genotypes, revealed that the cDNA sequences belonged to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). A cDNA sequence, detected from one measles sample, belonged to BVDV-1b genotype. Pestiviral cDNA detected from the Japanese mumps and rubella vaccine samples, belonged to the BVDV genotypes 1a and 1c, respectively. Analysis on two cDNA sequences detected from measles and rubella vaccine samples from Europe showed their appurtenance to a new genotype, BVDV-1d. These findings indicate that contamination by animal Pestivirus may occur in biological products for human use.

  • A novel method for Pestivirus genotyping based on palindromic nucleotide substitutions in the 5′-untranslated region
    Journal of virological methods, 1998
    Co-Authors: Ryo Harasawa, Massimo Giangaspero
    Abstract:

    A simple and practical method was developed for Pestivirus genotyping based on analysis of the secondary structures in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR). Three stable stem-loop structures, V1, V2 and V3, predicted by computer in the 5'-UTR, included strictly conserved consensus base-pairings which are shared by all the genotypes of Pestivirus or are characteristic to each genotype of Pestivirus. On the basis of the palindromic nucleotide substitution at the secondary structural level, six genotypes have been identified among Pestivirus strains, irrespective of the cytopathic and non-cytopathic biotypes. They are genotypes Ia, Ib, Ic and II in bovine viral diarrhea virus, genotype III in border disease virus, and genotype IV in classical swine fever virus. The stable stem-loop structures, which were maintained by palindromic nucleotide substitutions in the stem region, may represent references for the classification and identification of Pestivirus species and/or genotypes.

  • Genotypic Analysis of the 5′-Untranslated Region of a Pestivirus Strain Isolated from Human Leucocytes
    Microbiology and immunology, 1997
    Co-Authors: Massimo Giangaspero, Ryo Harasawa, Antoine Verhulst
    Abstract:

    The 5'-untranslated genomic region of the Pestivirus strain Europa, originated in human leucocytes and previously identified as bovine diarrhea virus (BVDV), was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced. Analyses based on primary nucleotide sequence homology and on secondary palindromic sequence structures characteristic to genotypes revealed that this human isolate should be assigned to a novel genotype of Pestivirus, type Ic. This newly emerged genotype was related to, but distinguishable from the three known BVDV genotypes, Ia, Ib and II. Three other bovine field isolates of BVDV originated from Germany were also found to belong to this new genotype Ic. Within Pestivirus genotype Ic strains, the overall nucleotide sequence homology was 95-96%, and 88-92%, 88-90% and 77-79% with the other BVDV genotypes Ia, Ib and II, respectively. With the strains from border disease virus (genotype III) and hog cholera virus (genotype IV), homologies were less than 75%.

Sándor Belák - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Atypical Pestivirus and Severe Respiratory Disease in Calves, Europe
    Emerging infectious diseases, 2012
    Co-Authors: Lihong Liu, Karl Ståhl, Stefan Alenius, Hongyan Xia, Magdalena Larska, Åse Uttenthal, Mirosław P. Polak, Hu Shan, Hong Yin, Sándor Belák
    Abstract:

    To the Editor: The article by Decaro et al. (1) described an outbreak of severe respiratory disease in calves in Italy caused by an atypical bovine Pestivirus. This report confirms our concern that this group of viruses is probably widespread (2) and present on >3 continents. Moreover, it demonstrates that atypical bovine Pestiviruses are capable of causing disease in calves in the field and a clinical picture consistent with most bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infections that occur naturally or experimentally (3,4). Some key issues remain unknown. The origin of the bovine Pestivirus and the route of introduction into the herd are unclear, although phylogenies demonstrated a close relationship between this virus strain from Italy and atypical bovine Pestiviruses from Brazil. Batches of fetal bovine serum from Brazil have repeatedly been found to be contaminated with atypical bovine Pestiviruses (2,3), and there is a risk for contamination of vaccines with these viruses. Animal trade and vaccines should be considered when conducting further investigations into this outbreak. The evolutionary relationship between the atypical and the recognized Pestivirus species (1) needs to be clarified. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of a concatenated dataset positioned atypical Pestiviruses consistently in a clade sister to BVDV-1 and BVDV-2, and the larger clade was sister to Pestivirus of giraffes (5). The same pattern was observed in complete genome phylogeny (1). The term atypical is not informative, and a new name has been proposed for these bovine Pestiviruses (5). Outcomes of infections with these viruses are typical, but the viral antigens and phylogenies are unique.

  • Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus infections in Swedish reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)
    Veterinary microbiology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Arja H. Kautto, Sándor Belák, Paul Becher, Stefan Alenius, Torgny Mossing, Magdalena Larska
    Abstract:

    Herding semi-domesticated reindeer has economic and social value for Sami people in the northern territories of Fennoscandia. However, with the intensification of reindeer husbandry, interspecies transmission of pathogens between reindeer and domestic animals may become a problem, especially for countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland where Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus have been eradicated in domestic ruminants. This study, which included 1158 Swedish reindeer, showed relatively high prevalence of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) (32%) and bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) (53%). Adult animals were more often seropositive for BVDV and BoHV-1 (50% and 78%, respectively) than were calves (18 and 11%, respectively). While the seroprevalence of alphaherpesvirus was similar in different herding districts, Pestivirus seropositivity was highest in the South and diminished towards the North of the Swedish reindeer herding area. High correlation of the seropositivity against both pathogens at both individual and herd levels may indicate possible mutual synergetic effects and may be explained by the immunosuppressive nature of the viruses. While alphaherpesvirus seroprevalence was probably related to putative cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV-2), the Pestivirus infecting reindeer remains undefined. The virus neutralisation test of reindeer sera using different Pestivirus strains, revealed higher titres against Border disease virus strains like 137/4 (BDV-1) and Reindeer-1 (BDV-2) than against BVDV-1. However, the virus was not identified by real time RT-PCR in any of the samples (n=276) from seronegative reindeers. The study showed that Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus infections are endemic in the Swedish reindeer population.

  • Effects of methodology and analysis strategy on robustness of Pestivirus phylogeny
    Virus Research, 2009
    Co-Authors: Claudia Baule, Sándor Belák, Niklas Wahlberg
    Abstract:

    Abstract Phylogenetic analysis of Pestiviruses is a useful tool for classifying novel Pestiviruses and for revealing their phylogenetic relationships. In this study, robustness of Pestivirus phylogenies has been compared by analyses of the 5′UTR, and complete N pro and E2 gene regions separately and combined, performed by four methods: neighbour-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian inference (BI). The strategy of analysing the combined sequence dataset by BI, ML, and MP methods resulted in a single, well-supported tree topology, indicating a reliable and robust Pestivirus phylogeny. By contrast, the single-gene analysis strategy resulted in 12 trees of different topologies, revealing different relationships among Pestiviruses. These results indicate that the strategies and methodologies are two vital aspects affecting the robustness of the Pestivirus phylogeny. The strategy and methodologies outlined in this paper may have a broader application in inferring phylogeny of other RNA viruses.

  • maximum likelihood and bayesian analyses of a combined nucleotide sequence dataset for genetic characterization of a novel Pestivirus sva cont 08
    Archives of Virology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Lihong Liu, Claudia Baule, Hongyan Xia, Sándor Belák
    Abstract:

    Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1) and Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 (BVDV-2) are two recognised bovine Pestivirus species of the genus Pestivirus. Recently, a Pestivirus, termed SVA/cont-08, was detected in a batch of contaminated foetal calf serum originating from South America. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the SVA/cont-08 virus shares 15–28% higher sequence identity to Pestivirus D32/00_‘HoBi’ than to members of BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. In order to reveal the phylogenetic relationship of SVA/cont-08 with other Pestiviruses, a molecular dataset of 30 Pestiviruses and 1,896 characters, comprising the 5′UTR, Npro and E2 gene regions, was analysed by two methods: maximum likelihood and Bayesian approach. An identical, well-supported tree topology was observed, where four Pestiviruses (SVA/cont-08, D32/00_‘HoBi’, CH-KaHo/cont, and Th/04_KhonKaen) formed a monophyletic clade that is closely related to the BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 clades. The strategy applied in this study is useful for classifying novel Pestiviruses in the future.

  • Natural infection of cattle with an atypical 'HoBi'-like Pestivirus - Implications for BVD control and for the safety of biological products
    Veterinary Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: Karl Ståhl, Claudia Baule, Jaruwan Kampa, Suneerat Aiumlamai, Stefan Alenius, Annie Persson Wadman, Sándor Belák
    Abstract:

    During a study on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) epidemiology in Thailand, a Pestivirus was detected in serum from a calf. Comparative nucleotide sequence analysis showed that this virus was closely related to a recently described atypical Pestivirus (D32/00_'HoBi') that was first isolated from a batch of foetal calf serum collected in Brazil. The results from virus neutralisation tests performed on sera collected from cattle in the herd of the infected calf, showed that these cattle had markedly higher antibody titres against the atypical Pestivirus 'HoBi' than against Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus types 1 and 2, or Border Disease Virus. The results also supported, consequently, the results from the molecular analysis, and demonstrated that a 'HoBi'-like Pestivirus had been introduced to, and was now circulating in the herd. This study is the first to report a natural infection in cattle with a virus related to this atypical Pestivirus, and it suggests that this group of Pestiviruses may already be spread in cattle populations. The findings have implications for BVD control and for the biosafety of vaccines and other biological products produced with foetal calf serum. Consequently, these atypical Pestiviruses should be included in serological assays, and any diagnostic assay aimed at detection of Pestiviruses in biological products or animals should be tested for its ability to detect them.

Kenny V. Brock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of Pestivirus genome: primary and secondary structure analyses
    Nucleic acids research, 1993
    Co-Authors: Ruitang Deng, Kenny V. Brock
    Abstract:

    Abstract Within the conserved 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the Pestivirus genome three highly variable regions were identified. Preceding the polyprotein start codon, multiple cryptic AUG codons and several small open reading frames are characteristic for all the five Pestiviruses. Inspection of the context of AUGs revealed that the polyprotein initiation AUG of Pestivirus has a weak context for efficient translation initiation. The most favorable context was found in two of the cryptic AUGs. Two oligopyrimidine-rich tracts upstream to the conserved either cryptic or authentic AUG in the 5'-UTR of Pestivirus were identified and 83.3% of their nucleotide sequences are complementary to the consensus sequence at the 3' terminus of eucaryotic 18S rRNA. A secondary structure model for the 5'-UTR of Pestivirus was predicted. Nucleotide sequence comparison among five Pestiviruses led to the identification of a variable region and a conserved region in the 3'-UTR. A deletion of 41 nucleotides was found within the variable region in Osloss. A secondary structure model for the 3'-UTR was also predicted. The structural similarity of the 5'-UTR between Pestiviruses and picornaviruses and hepatitis C viruses was demonstrated and the possible implications of features of the 5' and 3'-UTR of Pestiviruses are discussed.

  • 5 and 3 untranslated regions of Pestivirus genome primary and secondary structure analyses
    Nucleic Acids Research, 1993
    Co-Authors: Ruitang Deng, Kenny V. Brock
    Abstract:

    Abstract Within the conserved 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the Pestivirus genome three highly variable regions were identified. Preceding the polyprotein start codon, multiple cryptic AUG codons and several small open reading frames are characteristic for all the five Pestiviruses. Inspection of the context of AUGs revealed that the polyprotein initiation AUG of Pestivirus has a weak context for efficient translation initiation. The most favorable context was found in two of the cryptic AUGs. Two oligopyrimidine-rich tracts upstream to the conserved either cryptic or authentic AUG in the 5'-UTR of Pestivirus were identified and 83.3% of their nucleotide sequences are complementary to the consensus sequence at the 3' terminus of eucaryotic 18S rRNA. A secondary structure model for the 5'-UTR of Pestivirus was predicted. Nucleotide sequence comparison among five Pestiviruses led to the identification of a variable region and a conserved region in the 3'-UTR. A deletion of 41 nucleotides was found within the variable region in Osloss. A secondary structure model for the 3'-UTR was also predicted. The structural similarity of the 5'-UTR between Pestiviruses and picornaviruses and hepatitis C viruses was demonstrated and the possible implications of features of the 5' and 3'-UTR of Pestiviruses are discussed.

Paul Becher - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The newly discovered "atypical porcine Pestivirus" (APPV): An old player in the "shaking piglets" disease complex?
    Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 2018
    Co-Authors: Alexander Postel, Paul Becher, Ludwig Haas, Michael Wendt
    Abstract:

    Congenital tremor (CT) or "shaking piglet" syndrome of newborn piglets is a well-known disease caused by different factors and resulting in different pathological alterations. In addition to non-infectious causes (like intoxication and genetic alterations), viral infections of the sow during gestation are of utmost importance. It has long time been known that classical swine fever virus, a virus belonging to the genus Pestivirus within the family Flaviviridae, induces CT. Very recently, a novel porcine Pestivirus was discovered, which is also capable to induce the disease and was designated as "atypical porcine Pestivirus" (APPV). APPV infection is apparently highly prevalent in pig populations worldwide. This article reviews the different forms of CT and summarizes recent studies of the newly discovered virus.

  • complete genome sequence of bovine Pestivirus strain pg 2 a second member of the tentative Pestivirus species giraffe
    Genome Announcements, 2014
    Co-Authors: Paul Becher, Nicole Fischer, Adam Grundhoff, Hanspeter Stalder, Matthias Schweizer, Alexander Postel
    Abstract:

    We report the complete genome sequence of bovine Pestivirus strain PG-2. The sequence data from this virus showed that PG-2 is closely related to the giraffe Pestivirus strain H138. PG-2 and H138 belong to one Pestivirus species that should be considered an approved member of the genus Pestivirus.

  • Complete genome sequence of a novel Pestivirus from sheep.
    Journal of virology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Paul Becher, Stefanie Schmeiser, Tuba Çiğdem Oğuzoğlu, Alexander Postel
    Abstract:

    ABSTRACT We report here the complete genome sequence of Pestivirus strain Aydin/04-TR, which is the prototype of a group of similar viruses currently present in sheep and goats in Turkey. Sequence data from this virus showed that it clusters separately from the established and previously proposed tentative Pestivirus species.

  • Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus infections in Swedish reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.)
    Veterinary microbiology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Arja H. Kautto, Sándor Belák, Paul Becher, Stefan Alenius, Torgny Mossing, Magdalena Larska
    Abstract:

    Herding semi-domesticated reindeer has economic and social value for Sami people in the northern territories of Fennoscandia. However, with the intensification of reindeer husbandry, interspecies transmission of pathogens between reindeer and domestic animals may become a problem, especially for countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland where Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus have been eradicated in domestic ruminants. This study, which included 1158 Swedish reindeer, showed relatively high prevalence of antibodies against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) (32%) and bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) (53%). Adult animals were more often seropositive for BVDV and BoHV-1 (50% and 78%, respectively) than were calves (18 and 11%, respectively). While the seroprevalence of alphaherpesvirus was similar in different herding districts, Pestivirus seropositivity was highest in the South and diminished towards the North of the Swedish reindeer herding area. High correlation of the seropositivity against both pathogens at both individual and herd levels may indicate possible mutual synergetic effects and may be explained by the immunosuppressive nature of the viruses. While alphaherpesvirus seroprevalence was probably related to putative cervid herpesvirus 2 (CvHV-2), the Pestivirus infecting reindeer remains undefined. The virus neutralisation test of reindeer sera using different Pestivirus strains, revealed higher titres against Border disease virus strains like 137/4 (BDV-1) and Reindeer-1 (BDV-2) than against BVDV-1. However, the virus was not identified by real time RT-PCR in any of the samples (n=276) from seronegative reindeers. The study showed that Pestivirus and alphaherpesvirus infections are endemic in the Swedish reindeer population.

  • Genetic and antigenic characterization of novel Pestivirus genotypes: implications for classification
    Virology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Paul Becher, Hanspeter Stalder, Matthias Schweizer, Michaela Orlich, Matthias König, Horst Schirrmeier, Ramiro Avalos Ramirez, Sibilina Cedillo Rosales, Heinz-jürgen Thiel
    Abstract:

    Currently, the genus Pestivirus comprises the four approved species Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), BVDV-2, Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and Border disease virus (BDV) and one tentative fifth species represented by a single strain (H138) isolated from a giraffe in Kenya more than 30 years ago. To further address the issue of heterogeneity of Pestiviruses we have determined the entire N(pro) and E2 coding sequences for several new Pestivirus isolates. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis revealed that one Pestivirus isolated in the 1990s in Africa is closely related to strain H138. Moreover, several novel Pestiviruses isolated from sheep group together with the previously described strain V60 (Reindeer-1) isolated from a reindeer, whereas one ovine Pestivirus strain (Gifhorn) significantly differs from all previously described Pestiviruses, including BDV. We propose to term these mainly sheep-derived Pestiviruses BDV-2 (V60-like isolates) and BDV-3 (Gifhorn); consequently, the "classical" BDV isolates should be termed BDV-1. As an additional criterion for segregation of Pestiviruses, the antigenic relatedness of Pestivirus isolates covering all observed major genotypes was studied by cross-neutralization assays. Analysis of the antigenic similarities indicated the presence of seven major antigenic groups corresponding to BVDV-1, BVDV-2, CSFV, BDV-1, BDV-2, BDV-3, and "giraffe". Taking into account the host origin, the lack of differences concerning the course of disease, and the results of our genetic and antigenic analyses, we suggest that BDV-1, BDV-2, and BDV-3 should be considered as major genotypes within the species BDV.

Claude Saegerman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Epidemiology of Pestivirus infection in wild ungulates of the French South Alps
    Veterinary Microbiology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Claire Martin, Dominique Gauthier, Carine Letellier, Brigitte Caij, Nicolas Jean, Anahita Shaffii, Claude Saegerman
    Abstract:

    Interspecies transmission is often incriminated in epidemiology of Pestivirus diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Pestivirus in some mountain wild ungulates and to determine their role in Pestivirus transmission, as mountain pastures are a place where cohabitations between wild and domestic ungulates are particularly high. Between 2003 and 2007, a longitudinal epidemiological study was carried out on hunted ungulates in the French Hautes-Alpes department. Pestivirus-specific antibodies against p80 protein (named also NS3) common to all Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) and Border Disease Virus (BDV) were found in 45.9% (95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 40.5-51.3%) of the 343 tested chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). In addition, mouflons (Ovis gmelinii musimon) were shown for the first time to be strongly infected (61.1%; CI95%: 38.6-83.6) by a Pestivirus. These serological ELISA results were confirmed by comparative virus neutralization tests, performed on 7 Pestivirus strains by using 15 seropositive samples. The highest antibody titers were directed against 2 BDV strains (Av and 33s strains), rather than BDV-4, a strain responsible for Pyrenean-chamois epizooties. Virus neutralization tests confirm a BDV circulation in wild ungulates in the French South Alps. However, no Pestivirus RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in serum and spleen samples from seronegative animals and no virus was isolated from those samples either. Efforts should be made to improve the protocol in order to be able to isolate and characterize the local strain. Finally, the oldness (age) and femaleness (gender) increase the risk of seroconversion in chamois.

  • Epidemiology of Pestivirus infection in wild ungulates of the French South Alps.
    Veterinary Microbiology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Claire Martin, Dominique Gauthier, Carine Letellier, Brigitte Caij, Nicolas Jean, Anahita Shaffii, Claude Saegerman
    Abstract:

    Inter-species transmission is often incriminated in the epidemiology of Pestivirus diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Pestivirus in some mountain wild ungulates and to determine their role in Pestivirus transmission, as mountain pastures are a place where cohabitations between wild and domestic ungulates are particularly high. Between 2003 and 2007, a longitudinal epidemiological study was carried out on hunted ungulates in the French Hautes-Alpes department. Pestivirus-specific antibodies against p80 protein (also named NS3) common to all Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) and Border Disease Virus (BDV) were found in 45.9% (95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 40.5-51.3%) of the 343 tested chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). In addition, mouflons (Ovis gmelinii musimon) were shown for the first time to be strongly infected (61.1%; CI95%: 38.6-83.6) by a Pestivirus. These serological ELISA results were confirmed by comparative virus neutralization tests, performed on seven Pestivirus strains by using 15 seropositive samples. The highest antibody titers were directed against 2 BDV strains (Av and 33s strains), rather than BDV-4, a strain responsible for Pyrenean-chamois epizooties. Virus neutralization tests confirm a BDV circulation in wild ungulates in the French South Alps. However, no Pestivirus RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in serum and spleen samples from seronegative animals and no virus was isolated from those samples either. Efforts should be made to improve the protocol in order to be able to isolate and characterize the local strain. Finally, the oldness (age) and femaleness (gender) increase the risk of seroconversion in chamois.