Construction of chimeric bovine viral diarrhea viruses containing glycoprotein Erns of heterologous pestiviruses and evaluation of the chimeras as potential marker vaccines against BVDV

► Three chimeric bovine viral diarrhea viruses were constructed using overlapping PCR methods. ► Chimeras contained glycoprotein Erns of heterologous pestiviruses. ► Each BVDV chimera was infectious in bovine cells and induced neutralizing antibody responses. ► BVDV/P-Erns (pronghorn antelope)-vaccinated cattle were uniquely detectable serologically. ► BVDV/P-Erns could be a potential BVDV marker vaccine candidate for BVDV eradication programs.