Diarrheal pathogens in calves: Rotavirus and co-infection with Coronavirus and Norovirus in selected provinces of Iran: Rotavirus and co-infections in calf diarrhea

Negar Hemmati; Mohammad Mehdi  Ranjbar; Bahman Abedi Kiasari; Farzaneh Davari; Hesamoddin Ahmadi Afzadi

doi:10.62310/liab.v5i1.237

Authors

Negar Hemmati Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2570-0972
Mohammad Mehdi Ranjbar Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
Bahman Abedi Kiasari Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Farzaneh Davari Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hesamoddin Ahmadi Afzadi Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7504-3296

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62310/liab.v5i1.237

Keywords:

Rotavirus, Co-infection, Calf diarrhea, Coronavirus, Norovirus, Risk factors

Abstract

Calf diarrhoea is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among neo-natal calves in the cattle industry, with viral pathogens such as bovine rotavirus (BRoV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and bovine norovirus (BNoV) playing prominent roles. Present study investigated the occurrence and co-infection pattern of BRoV, BCoV, and BNoV in diarrheic calves in seven main livestock- producing provinces of Iran. A total of 320 fecal samples from diarrheic calves were examined with ELISA and RT-PCR. The results revealed that BRoV was the most prevalent pathogen (68.8%), followed by BCoV (56.5%), and BNoV (25.9%). The most common co-infections were BRoV+BCoV (22.5%) and BRoV+BNoV (12.5%), whereas 6.9% cases revealed triple infection. Notably, BNoV mono-infection was rare (1.6%), suggesting its limited pathogenic role single- handedly but with a potential synergistic effects in co-infections. BRoV detection rate was significantly higher during colder months (77.9%), whereas no clear seasonal patterns were observed for BCoV and BNoV. The study revealed intensive management systems as a significant risk factor for BRoV infection. These findings expound the complexity of viral enteric diseases in calves and emphasize the need for specific management and control strategies. Further investigations are recommended to examine the interactions of viruses, genetic variations, and potential zoonotic risk of these viruses.

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