Longitudinal survey of rotavirus infection in calves

A longitudinal survey of rotavirus infection in heifer calves was carried out on a closed Friesian dairy herd over two successive calving seasons. Rotavirus was detected by electron microscopy in the faeces of 45 of 57 (79 per cent) calves examined. On average the virus was first detected at 6.1 days of age. Clinically the disease associated with rotavirus infection was of mild to moderate severity. Only one infected calf required intravenous fluid therapy. Diarrhoea or excretion of abnormal faeces was associated with rotavirus infection in 58 per cent of infected calves, while in the remaining 42 per cent infection was subclinical. The cycle of rotavirus infection was broken by thorough cleansing and disinfection of the calf house.     

Aetiology of diarrhoea in young calves

Faeces samples were collected from 302 untreated calves on the day of onset of diarrhoea and from 49 healthy calves at 32 farms experiencing outbreaks of diarrhoea. At least four diarrhoeic calves were sampled on each farm, and samples were examined for rotavirus, coronavirus, cryptosporidium, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella species. Although all these enteropathogens were excreted more frequently by the diarrhoeic than by the healthy calves, the difference was significant overall only for rotavirus. Rotavirus was excreted by 18 per cent of healthy calves, coronavirus by 4 per cent, cryptosporidium by 14 per cent, and no enterotoxigenic E coli or Salmonella species were detected. The most common enteropathogen in diarrhoeic calves was rotavirus, which was excreted by more than half the diarrhoeic calves on 18 farms. Coronavirus was excreted at a similar high prevalence on one farm, cryptosporidium on five farms and enterotoxigenic E coli on three farms. Concurrent infection with two or more microorganisms occurred in 15 per cent of diarrhoeic calves. There was no difference in the isolation rate of campylobacters between diarrhoeic and healthy calves.     

Rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in buffalo calves in Sri Lanka

Faecal samples from 150 buffalo calves, one to 150 days old, located in various districts of Sri Lanka, were examined for group A rotavirus antigen by a screening enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive samples were confirmed by the blocking ELISA. In the calves studied 27·3 per cent were diarrhoeic, and the rest were non-diarrhoeic but were in contact with the animals showing diarrhoea. Antigen was detected in 36·6 per cent of the diarrhoeic animals and in 11·9 per cent of the nondiarrhoeic animals. There was a strong association between the presence of antigen in faeces and diarrhoea in these animals (ξ² = 46·98; P<0·001). Of the 146 serum samples examined for antirotaviral antibodies, by the blocking ELISA at a single serum dilution (1:20) against a constant dose of antigen (8 units), 68·5 per cent were positive indicating a widespread infection with the virus in the population studied. This is the first record of the detection of rotavirus and its association with diarrhoea in buffalo calves in Sri Lanka.     

Prevalence of four enteropathogens in the faeces of young diarrhoeic dairy calves in Switzerland

The prevalences of Cryptosporidium parvum, rotavirus, bovine coronavirus (bcv), and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E coli k99) were determined in diarrhoeic dairy calves aged one to 21 days on 71 dairy farms in western Switzerland during the winter of 2005 to 2006. Faecal samples from 147 untreated calves suffering from acute diarrhoea were analysed by standardised diagnostic methods, and the immunoglobulin status of each calf was evaluated. The prevalences of C parvum, rotavirus, bcv and E coli k99 were 55.0 per cent, 58.7 per cent, 7.8 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively. The proportions of herds positive for the respective pathogens among the herds with diarrhoeic calves were 41.7 per cent, 52.1 per cent, 2.1 per cent and 2.1 per cent. The immunoglobulin concentration in the serum of 90.5 per cent of the diarrhoeic calves was below 8 g/l.     

Persistent excretion of rotavirus by pregnant cows

In a study of the epizootiology and prevalence of enteropathogens which may be involved in neonatal calf diarrhoea, 10 in-calf cows from a herd with a history of rotavirus-induced calf diarrhoea were monitored over a period of six to seven months. All the cows excreted rotavirus intermittently without showing any clinical signs, and 21.8 per cent of faecal samples contained rotavirus. Reoviruses were isolated from 87 per cent of the samples from the cows, and from all the 10 calves born to them. However, rotavirus was detected in only one calf, and diarrhoea developed only in this calf even though the calves were housed in communal pens. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from six of the 10 dams and from five of the 10 calves, not including the calf with diarrhoea. Other potential enteropathogens such as cryptosporidium, salmonella, Clostridium difficile, coronavirus and other viruses were not found, but two cows and two calves shed enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.     

Microbiology of calf diarrhoea in southern Britain

Faeces samples from calves with diarrhoea in 45 outbreaks were examined for six enteropathogens. Rotavirus and coronavirus were detected by ELISA in 208 (42 per cent) and 69 (14 per cent) of 490 calves respectively; calici-like viruses were detected by electron microscopy in 14 of 132 calves (11 per cent). Cryptosporidium were detected in 106 of 465 (23 per cent), Salmonella species in 58 of 490 (12 per cent) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli bearing the K99 adhesin (K99+ E coli) in nine of 310 calves (3 per cent). In the faeces of 20 per cent of calves with diarrhoea more than one enteropathogen was detected; in 31 per cent no enteropathogen was found. Faces samples from 385 healthy calves in the same outbreaks were also examined. There was a significant statistical association of disease with the presence of rotavirus, coronavirus, Cryptosporidium and Salmonella species (P less than 0.001). Healthy calves were not examined for calici-like viruses and the association of K99+ E coli with disease was not analysed because there were too few positive samples. Rotavirus infections were more common in dairy herds and single suckler beef herds whereas Salmonella infections were more often found in calf rearing units. Cryptosporidium were more common in single and multiple suckler beef herds. K99+ E coli were found in one dairy herd and one multiple suckler beef herd both with unhygienic calving accommodation. Variations in coronavirus detection among different farm types were not statistically significant. In this survey rotavirus was the most commonly detected agent in calf diarrhoea and Cryptosporidium were found in approximately one quarter of affected calves. Infection with Salmonella species was widespread, but K99+ E coli infections were less common in the United Kingdom than in other countries.     

Studies on rotavirus infection and diarrhoea in young calves.

The occurrence of diarrhoea in calves was monitored during the first three weeks of life. Calves fed amounts of colostrum sufficient to produce serum Ig levels in excess of 30 mg per ml did not develop diarrhoea, whereas calves fed less colostrum did. Rotaviruses and mycoplasma-like particles were observed in the faeces of calves with and without diarrhoea. The epidemiology of rotavirus infection in calves is discussed.     

The prevalence of enteric pathogens in diarrhoeic thoroughbred foals in Britain and Ireland.

A survey of 77 normal and 326 diarrhoeic foals in Britain and Ireland from 1987 to 1989 revealed a significantly higher prevalence of Group A rotaviruses and Aeromonas hydrophila in diarrhoeic foals. The prevalence of cryptosporidia, potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and Clostridium perfringens was similar in normal or diarrhoeic foals. Rotaviruses had a similar prevalence in all age groups of scouring foals up to three months of age, with an overall prevalence of 37 per cent among diarrhoeic foals. The number of cases of diarrhoea varied considerably from year to year, but in all three years of the survey rotavirus was a significant pathogen. A comparison of diagnostic tests for rotavirus in the faeces showed electron microscopy (EM) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to have similar sensitivity. The Rotazyme ELISA test kit was found to have the same sensitivity as a combination of EM and PAGE. A. hydrophila had an overall prevalence of 9 per cent among diarrhoeic foals, although its prevalence was higher in some age groups. A. hydrophila has not been established previously as a significant enteric pathogen in foals. Other putative pathogens found at very low prevalence were coronavirus, the putative picobirnavirus, Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. No evidence was found of synergistic effects between rotavirus, cryptosporidia and potentially pathogenic E. coli. Neither coccidia nor non-Group A rotaviruses were found in any of the samples examined.     

A study on neonatal calf diarrhea induced by rotavirus

This review summarizes the results of a study on rotaviruses isolated from calves affected by neonatal diarrhea.

The results indicated that rotavirus infection is widespread and supported the evidence for an etiologic role of these viruses in neonatal diarrhea. Differences in virulence among bovine rotaviruses appeared also to be confirmed.

Conventionally reared calves were fully susceptible to the experimental infection induced by rotaviruses originating from heterologous hosts, i.e. monkeys, pigs and rabbits.

When rotavirus strains of bovine, simian and rabbit origin were compared by cross neutralization tests, it was found the simian and porcine strains were indistinguishable and both appeared to relate antigenically to the bovine strain.

Finally, it was proven that feeding newborn calves with colostrum and first milk of their dams, previously vaccinated with an inactivated adjuvanted rotavirus vaccine, could prevent the neonatal diarrhea from occurring.     

Evaluation of ELISA and electron microscopy for the detection of coronavirus and rotavirus in bovine faeces

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was compared with electron microscopy in the examination of faeces from experimental calves and showed 100 per cent agreement in the detection of 19 bovine coronavirus and 15 bovine rotavirus electron microscope positive samples. In a limited field survey of calf diarrhoea 75 selected faeces were examined independently by ELISA and electron microscopy and the agreement between the two tests was 95 per cent for coronavirus and 84 per cent for rotavirus. A further comparison was made with 74 samples submitted for routine diagnosis and this yielded agreements of 82 per cent (coronavirus) and 89 per cent (rotavirus). Factors contributing to discrepant results were examined and the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two tests for routine detection of these enteric viruses are discussed.     

Diarrhoea in dairy calves reduced by feeding colostrum from cows vaccinated with rotavirus

Forty-two dairy calves remained with their dams for two days after birth, and then were removed to a calf rearing shed. Calves were allocated to three groups for the next 14 days, and received twice daily either whole milk, whole milk with a 10 per cent supplement of pooled normal bovine colostrum or whole milk with 10 per cent supplement of colostrum from cows vaccinated with rotavirus. A natural outbreak of diarrhoea occurred, affecting 28 of the 42 calves. Feeding immune colostrum delayed the onset of diarrhoea, and reduced its incidence, duration and severity. Live weight gains were consequently improved. The group fed normal colostrum had diarrhoea intermediate in severity between that of control calves and those fed immune colostrum. The aetiology of the diarrhoea was complex, with calves excreting rotavirus, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and cryptosporidia.     

Evaluation of a combined rotavirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccine in cattle

A vaccine of rotavirus and K99 antigen from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was emulsified in oil adjuvant and administered intramuscularly to pregnant cows. Calves born to and reared on vaccinated dams were protected against experimental rotavirus infection at five days old when compared with calves from unvaccinated control cows. Field trials of the vaccine were carried out in 40 commercial herds, in which half the cows in each herd were selected at random for vaccination and half were left unvaccinated. In 31 herds (2641 cows) there was no significant diarrhoea problem (less than 10 per cent morbidity); these herds were excluded from further analysis. The nine remaining herds did experience a calf diarrhoea problem of greater than 10 per cent morbidity, but on four farms the disease was associated with cryptosporidiosis and on a fifth no enteropathogens were detected; these five farms (461 cows) were also excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining four herds, two beef suckler herds (105 cows) had concurrent rotavirus and cryptosporidial infections, and vaccination was associated with a decreased excretion of rotavirus but not with a decreased incidence of diarrhoea. In the other two dairy herds (68 cows) with prevaccination rotavirus problems, there was a significantly decreased incidence of diarrhoea in calves born to vaccinated cows. No natural field challenge of enterotoxigenic E coli was encountered on any of the trial farms.     

Group A rotavirus excretion patterns in naturally infected pigs

Cross-sectional and cohort studies were conducted in a piggery to investigate the excretion pattern of group A rotavirus in pigs. The cross-sectional survey revealed that 47 (9 per cent) of 521 pigs sampled were excreting rotavirus in the faeces. No rotavirus antigen was detected in the faeces of pigs either less than one week or over two months old. The prevalence of infection increased with age over the sucking period, and was greatest at five weeks old. Diarrhoea was observed in only eight (17 per cent) of the pigs excreting rotavirus. Sixteen piglets from four litters were selected and faecal samples collected daily from each animal from birth to two months old. All the piglets excreted group A rotavirus and the range of ages at which they first became infected was between 13 and 39 days. The average duration of excretion in individual piglets was 7.4 days. Ten of 13 sucking piglets which excreted rotavirus developed diarrhoea soon after it was first detected.     

Propagation of human rotavirus in young dogs

Rotavirus of human origin which had been propagated in gnotobiotic pigs was successfully transmitted eight times in young dogs including once by contact. The infections caused no clinical diarrhoea or any other illness in the pups and all infected animals developed both complement fixing and neutralising antibody against rotavirus.A serological survey carried out on sera collected from 23 dogs demonstrated antibody against monkey SA 11 rotavirus, indicating that dogs are naturally infected with this virus.It is concluded that young dogs could play a role in the transmission and dissemination of rotaviruses.     

Identification of a bovine enteric syncytial virus as a nongroup A rotavirus

An atypical or nongroup A rotavirus was identified in feces obtained from gnotobiotic calves in which fecal preparations originally derived during an epizootic of neonatal calf diarrhea had been serially passaged. The epizootic was previously reported to be caused by a noncharacterized viral agent that induced the formation of epithelial syncytia on small intestinal villi of experimentally infected calves. This bovine, nongroup A rotavirus was found to be antigenically related to a described atypical rotavirus of rats by immunofluorescence and by enzyme immunoassay. Complementary DNA derived from the atypical rat rotavirus cross hybridized with RNA obtained from the bovine virus, but not with RNA extracted from group A rotaviruses. Complementary DNA derived from SA-11 group A rotavirus cross hybridized with other group A rotavirus RNA, but not with RNA obtained from either the rat or bovine nongroup A isolates. Additionally, another similar, if not identical, bovine atypical rotavirus was identified in a second epizootic of neonatal calf diarrhea that occurred several hundred kilometers and 8 months apart from the original epizootic.     

Neonatal calf diarrhea induced by rotavirus

This presentation summarizes the results of a comprehensive study on rotaviruses isolated in Italy from calves and rabbits affected by neonatal diarrhea. The results clearly indicated that rotavirus infection is widespread and supported the evidence for an etiologic role of these viruses in neonatal diarrhea. The evidence of differences in virulence among bovine rotaviruses appeared also to be confirmed. Conventionally reared calves were fully susceptible to the experimental infection induced by three rotaviruses originating from heterologous hosts, i.e. monkeys, pigs and rabbits, respectively. When rotavirus strains of bovine, simian, porcine and rabbit origin were compared by cross neutralization tests, it was found the simian and porcine strains were indistinguishable and both appeared to relate antigenically to the bovine strain. On the other hand, a reciprocal antigenic correlation was found between bovine and rabbit isolates. Finally, it was proven that feeding newborn calves with colostrum of their dams, previously vaccinated with an inactivated rotavirus vaccine, could prevent the neonatal diarrhea from occurring.     

An oculo-cerebellar syndrome caused by congenital bovine viral diarrhoea virus-infection

An epizootic characterized by birth of calves severly ataxic and blind were encountered in 3 herds 7–8 months after outbreaks of bovine virus diarrhoea. Serological and virological investigations indicated introduction of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) into previously virus-free herds, followed by transplacental virus infection of the fetuses of cows in the first trimester. Clinical, pathological, serological, and microbiological examinations were performed on 10 calves. Pathological findings included microcephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia, ocular malformations, and thymic hypoplasia. BVDV was isolated from tissue and blood of 7 calves, and 4 calves, 1 of which had not received colostrum, had virus-specific neutralizing antibodies.This is the first report on natural occurrence of congenital bovine infection with BVDV among Danish cattle herds resulting in abortion and birth of calves with severe debilitating congenital anomalies. It draws attention to the importance of this virus for bovines of all age groups.     

Interaction of rotavirus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in conventionally-reared dairy calves

A study was made of the effects of rotavirus and/or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) on dairy calves born and suckled on the farm and subsequently reared in isolation. Calves were orally inoculated at 6 days old with either rotavirus (5), ETEC (7), rotavirus and ETEC (5) or remained uninoculated controls (4), and their reactions were recorded by clinical, microbiological, and pathological observations. Rotavirus infection consistently produced diarrhoea, while ETEC inoculated alone did not colonise the intestine. In dual infections, both rotavirus and ETEC multiplied, although the severity of diarrhoea was not greater than that caused by rotavirus alone. Some ETEC-inoculated calves developed subsequent naturally-acquired rotavirus infections, but in these no ETEC multiplication occurred. The results suggest that prior or simultaneous rotavirus infection is necessary to enable ETEC colonisation of the intestine in convenstional calves of this age.     

Possible sex differences in the susceptibility of calves to rotavirus infection.

The agar gel precipitation test was used to detect rotavirus antibodies in the serum of 562 calves and bovine rotavirus antigen in the feces of 347 calves. Significantly more females had rotavirus antibodies in the serum (P less than 0.01) and rotavirus antigen in the feces (P less than 0.1) than did male calves. Female buffalo calves were also found to be more susceptible than male buffalo calves to rotavirus infection.     

Rotavirus infections in calves in dairy herds

Neonatal calf diarrhoea was studied in 115 calves of one dairy herd from January 1976 to June 1977. Two syndromes could be distinguished: a mild and short lasting 'early diarrhoea' within the first three days of life and a usually more severe 'late diarrhoea' from the fourth to the 14th day of life. The latter type of diarrhoea occurred almost exclusively during the first half of the year. Thirty-four out of 45 calves with late diarrhoea excreted rotaviruses, whereas only one of 34 calves with early diarrhoea excreted virus. In addition, rotavirus excretion was found in 11 calves that either remained healthy or had recovered from diarrhoea before virus was first detected. Similar findings were obtained in the spring of 1978 but in addition bovine coronavirus was recovered from four calves with late diarrhoea and from three healthy calves. One faecal sample obtained from a calf with diarrhoea on day 2 yielded K99+ Escherichia coli. Nearly all cows excreted rotavirus-specific antibodies in their colostrum but no relationship was found between the initial colostral antibody titre against rotavirus and the development of rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in the calf.