Investigation of Rota And Corona Viruses as Causative Agents for Diarrhea in Egyptian Calves

Abstract

Rota and Corona viruses are the major causes of calf scour involved in 27% to 36% of calf diarrheic in Egypt. This study was aimed to investigate frequency of Rota and Corona viruses in diarrheic cattle and buffalo calves in Egypt. A total of 82 fecal samples were collected from 0-1-month-old in three provinces in Egypt (Ismailia, Alexandria and Al-Sharqia). All fecal samples were tested by probe based real time polymerase chain reaction technique (qRT-PCR) to determine the presence of BRV and BCoV nucleic acids by using specific generic primers. Fourteen (17.1%) and 22 (26.8%) out of 82 fecal samples were positive for BRV and BCoV, respectively. Positivity percentage of different investigation parameters about both BRV and BCoV were calculated depending on our historical data. Corona and Rota viruses' infection in cattle were more predominant than buffalo calves. Infection rate of Coronavirus is more than Rotavirus infection in cattle calves of Ismailia than other studied provinces. Single infection of cattle or buffalo calves with both viruses is mostly predominant but double infection in the same animal species at the same time is possible. Infection rate of BRV and BCoV in cattle and buffalo calves is higher in winter than autumn, summer and spring.