Pesquisa de rotavírus em bezerros bovinos no município de Igarapé-Açu (PA).

Abstract

Rotavirus is an important agent of gastroenteritis in bovine calves and other young animal species (sheep and pigs, etc.), being even able to infect man. This research had the objective to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection in calves from Igarapé Açu and to identify eletroferotypes in this region. 200 fecal samples were collected from bovine calves (ages ranging between 3 days and 10 months) through June of 1994 to April of 1997. The samples were identified, stored at -20ºC and sent to the laboratory where a 10% (v/v) suspension was made in a saline phosphate buffer (PBS pH 7,4). These samples were tested by the latex agglutination test (AL) and electrophoresis of RNA in Polyacrylamide gel (PAGE). 75 (37,5%) out of 200 fecal samples were from diarrheic free and 125 (62.5%) were from diarrheic infected calves. One of the diarrheic calf (0,5%) was rotavirus positive. Even though a low positive rate of infection was recorded in this study, surveillance for diarrhea among calves should be a routine in the region.