Sero-Epidemiological Study on Bovine Rota and Coronavirus in Neonatal Calves in Dairy Farms of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Bovine rotavirus (BRV) and coronavirus (BCoV) are most commonly associated etiologies from viral causative agents of neonatal calf diarrhea. A cross-sectional study was carried out in randomly selected dairy farms of Addis Ababa from November 2018 to April 2019 with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of bovine rota and coronavirus infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves and determining the associated risk factors. A probability proportional to size sampling technique (PPS) was used and accordingly, the study involved a total of 110 calves under 30 days of age from 57 dairy herds of which 34 (59.6%), 18 (31.6%) and 5 (8.8%) were small scale, medium scale and large scale farms respectively. As well risk factors associated with herd and calves were obtained from an interview of farm owners.Results: By using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, out of these 110 calves, 4 (3.64%) were found positive for rotavirus while only 1 (0.91%) was found positive for coronavirus infection. Data generated from both interview and laboratory investigation was analyzed using SPSS version 20. As a result, prevalence of rotavirus infection showed a significant difference (P<0.05) with respect to sex, diarrhea status, colostrum timing and consistency of diarrhea. However, prevalence of coronavirus infection showed significant difference (P<0.05) only with consistency of diarrhea.Conclusions: In conclusion, rotavirus and coronavirus infection in neonatal calves in this finding showed as there is less prevalence in dairy farms of the study area; therefore, effort should be initiated for further studies on other (infectious and non-infectious) causes of calf diarrhea in this area.