Rapid diagnosis of rotavirus by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in an outbreak of neonatal diarrhea in dairy calves
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol1982no17p66-71Keywords:
calves, cattle diseases, Colostrum, Diagnostic techniques, diarrhoea, ELISA, Newborn animals, viral diseasesAbstract
An outbreak of diarrhoea affected 13 of 20 calves in a herd of 260 cows and heifers. Faeces from 10 of the 13 calves were positive or doubtful for rotavirus group-specific (gs) antigens by ELISA. Faeces from 4 cows, including the dam of one affected calf, were all negative. Cell cultures of faeces from 3 affected calves were negative for rotavirus by immunofluorescence. Supernatant fluid from a culture of one calf was positive for gs antigens by ELISA. All 13 affected calves recovered after receiving antibiotics and colostrum. One calf, vaccinated against rotavirus at birth, had slight diarrhoea but recovered. ELISA is recommended for rapid diagnosis of rotavirus in calf diarrhoea.