Prevalence of rotavirus infection in diarrheic newborn calves in Abidjan region, Ivory Coast

The aim of the current study was to identify the prevalence of rotavirus infection in newborn calves aged from 1 day to 3 months old in Abidjan region. A total of 145 fecal samples were collected from both diarrheic (n=135) and non-diarrheic (n=10) neonatal calves. Neonatal calves’ fecal samples were collected in dry seasons and in rainy seasons in Abidjan and suburbs from 2015 to 2017. Investigated calves were divided into 4 age groups (1–10 days old, 10–25 days old, 25-60 days old and ≤90 days old). All samples were screened for the presence of rotavirus antigen by ELISA kit. Among the 145 feces samples examined by ELISA, 19 were identified positive (13.10%). Infection prevalence peaked have been obtained at 10 – 25 days of age and in the rainy season. The prevalence was higher in suburbs and during the rainy season. The present study showed that rotaviruses are involved in the neonatal calves’ diarrhea in Abidjan area.