Authors : Ali Y. H. , A. I. Khalafalla , M. E. Gaffar , I. Peenze and A. D. Steele
Abstract: The role of rotavirus in camel calf diarrhoea is studied. Faecal samples were collected from 245 diarrheic, 75 recovered and 12 clinically healthy camel calves at 4 different areas of Sudan (North, East, Central and West). The samples were collected during autumn, summer and winter seasons over 3 years period 2000-2002. All samples were tested for rotavirus antigen; using ELISA Kits, 46 (13.9%) were positive for Group A rotavirus. Latex agglutination test was applied on 144 samples, 9 positive (6.3%) results were found. Immunochromatographic test (IC) were applied on 213 of the samples with 38 positives. The overall group A rotavirus positives detected in the study was 66 (46 by ELISA and 20 by IC). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was applied on 53 ELISA and IC positive samples. The characteristic Group A rotavirus electropherotype was seen in 11 samples. Electron microscopy examination was applied on 22 ELISA positive samples, 6 samples showed the characteristic wheel like appearance of rotavirus. None of 302 samples tested for coronavirus antigen using ELISA was positive. Most of the positive samples were collected from diarrheic calves (35 of 46 ELISA positives) The results showed the presence of rotavirus in stool samples of diarrheic as well as recovered and healthy camel calves indicating the significant role of rotavirus in camel calf diarrhoea in Sudan. The main age group affected was 0-3 months and males were found to be slightly more affected. Higher prevalence of rotavirus infection was noticed during autumn season than summer and winter seasons.
Ali Y. H. , A. I. Khalafalla , M. E. Gaffar , I. Peenze and A. D. Steele , 2005. Rotavirus-Associated Camel Calf Diarrhoea in Sudan . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 401-406.