Comparison of bovine rotavirus strains by plaque assay

Using plaque assay on MA 104 cells, four strains of bovine rotavirus were compared: the attenuated American strain NCDV, and three virulent strains isolated in Canada (PQ) or in Belgium (S14 and S 77). The attenuated strain (NCDV) formed smaller plaques than the three others. The plaque size may thus be used as a marker for this strain. The Belgian strain S 77 formed the largest plaques and no significant differences could be found between the Canadian strain PQ and the second Belgian strain S 14. On BSC-1 cells, the Canadian strain PQ formed much smaller plaques than on MA 104 cells.