Investigation of the Prevalence of Rotavirus Infection in Calves using Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Bovine rotaviruses cause loss of calves and cause great financial losses to breeders. Bovine rotaviruses, which are classified in the Reovirales order, Sedoreoviridae family and Rotavirus genus, are mostly classified as G and P genotypes according to VP7 and VP4 gene regions. In addition, 10 different species (group A-J) have been identified according to genetic and antigenic properties of another major antigen, VP6. Group A rotaviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in calves, while group B and C infections are also known. For the protection of calves, rotavirus screening should be performed on a herd basis and the infection status of cattle should be revealed. For this purpose, stool samples of 100 calves with diarrhea symptoms in the inventory of Ataturk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Virology were used. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), which allows the examination of segments of the genome, was used to check for the presence of the virus. Nucleic acid extraction was performed on the stool samples before electrophoresis and then extracts were loaded into the prepared polyacrylamide gel and run. The samples were stained with silver nitrate stain, segment patterns were determined, and the presence of rotavirus was analyzed. While 27 of the analyzed samples were positive, 5 samples were suspicious, and 68 samples were negative. The segment pattern of the positive samples was compatible with group A and all of them were classified in this group. Although they were in the same group, it was determined that the positive samples had 3 different electrophoretypes. As a result, it was determined that rotaviruses still have an important role in the etiology of calf diarrhea. Besides, the detected rotaviruses showed variation, although they were in group A, and breeders in the region should pay attention to control and hygiene measures.