Bovine Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium Species Co-infection among Calves in Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt

Rotavirus A (RVA) and Cryptosporidium oocysts infections remain the most recognized worldwide pathogen causing acute diarrhea in calves less than one month of age. The current study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of Bovine Rota virus (BRV) and Cryptosporidium spp. infections in calves in Beni Suef governorate, Egypt. Fecal samples of 123 diarrheic calves were subjected for Rapid Rotavirus immunochromatographic assay (ICA) to identify the presence of BRV antigen and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique of Cryptosporidium spp. infections. The overall prevalence of Rota virus infection using the ICA was 13(10.57%). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected microscopically in 36(29.27%) calf’s fecal samples. The enzootic situations of BRV and Cryptosporidium spp. infections have been proved in this study. Rotavirus double-stranded RNA was extracted from the 13 fecal samples and subjected for one-step RT-PCR targeting NSP5 gene, and two-step RT-PCR targeting partial length VP4 gene. The presence of the viral genome of BRV was confirmed by amplification of NSP5 gene and VP4 gene with 155bp and 856bp expected product size, respectively. PCR revealed positivity of 5(4.07%) fecal samples. PCR revealed positivity of 28(22.76%) Cryptosporidium spp. infected fecal samples. Mixed infection of BRV and Cryptosporidium spp. in this study was 7(5.69 %) cases.