Rotavirus Infection in Dairy Calves in Southern

Vietnam

Helena Kyle

Supervisor: Camilla Bjrkman

Department of Clinical Sciences
Assistant supervisor: Stefan Alenius
Department of Clinical Sciences

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
Fakulteten fr veterinrmedicin och
husdjursvetenskap
Uppsala 2007
Veterinrprogrammet

Examensarbete 2007:60
ISSN 1652-8697

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and
Animal Sciences
Uppsala 2007
Veterinary Medicine Programme

Degree project 2007:60

ISSN 1652-8697

ABSTRACT
Rotavirus A is a double stranded RNA commonly considered to cause diarrhoea
in young calves. There is no specific treatment for the disease and it can become
economically devastating to the farmer. In this investigation 120 faecal samples
were collected from dairy calves in South Vietnam in order to estimate the
occurrence and importance of rotavirus infection in the country. The samples were
also used for a co-operating study of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium
parvum. The calves were younger than two months old and both diarrhoeic and
non diarrhoeic individuals were sampled. Half the samples were collected at state
farms with herd sizes of several hundred cows and the other half were from
household farms with 1 and 100 cows. The samples were analysed for presence of
rotavirus A by ELISA.
18 samples were positive for rotavirus, 2 of these samples were co-infections with
C. parvum. 17 of the positive samples were found in state farms. Only 2 samples
in total were found positive in household farms.
45 samples out of 120 came from calves suffering from diarrhoea. Twelve
samples from calves with rotavirus infection were identified as diarrhoeic, 2 of
these were co-infected samples. The number of diarrhoeic samples free from
infection of rotavirus indicates that also other enteropathogens are involved in
causing diarrhoea in South Vietnam.

SAMMANFATTNING
Rotavirus A r ett dubbelstrngat RNA-virus som r en vanlig orsak till
kalvdiarr. Det finns ingen effektiv behandling fr rotavirusinfektion och ett
sjukdomsutbrott kan bli ekonomiskt frdande fr bonden. I denna studie
samlades 120 prover in frn mjlkraskalvar i sdra Vietnam fr att underska
frekomsten av infektion med rotavirus. Proverna testades i en parallell studie
ven fr Cryptosporidium parvum. Kalvarna i studien var yngre n tv mnader,
och bde kalvar med och utan diarr provtogs. Hlften av proverna togs p statligt
gda grdar med flera hundra kor medan den andra hlften var frn
familjejordbruk med 1-100 kor. Proverna anlyserades med avseende p frekomst
av rotavirus med antigen-ELISA.
18 prover fanns vara positiva fr rotavirus och i 3 av dessa prover ptrffades
ven C. parvum. Sjutton av de rotavirus- positiva proverna kom frn statligt gda
grdar. Sammanlagt var endast 2 prover tagna p familjejordbruk positiva.
45 av de 120 proverna kom frn kalvar med diarr. 12 av kalvarna med diarr var
positiva fr rotavirus, och 2 av dessa var saminfektioner med C. parvum. Antalet
negativa prover frn kalvar med diarr visar att andra patogener troligen r
vanliga inslag i infektionspanoramat vid kalvdiarr i sdra Vietnam.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1
1.1 Calf diarrhoea..............................................................................................................1
1.2 Rotavirus........................................................................................................................1
1.2.1 Structure .................................................................................................................1

1.2.2 Pathogenesis .........................................................................................................1

1.2.3 Transmission.........................................................................................................2
1.2.4 Diagnosis ..............................................................................................................2
1.2.5 Risk factors ...........................................................................................................3
1.2.6 Treatment and prophylaxis ....................................................................................3
1.3 Cattle in Vietnam ............................................................................................................4
1.4 Aim of the study..............................................................................................................5

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS......................................................................................5

2.1 Selection of farms and samples ........................................................................................ 5
2.2 Sample collection...........................................................................................................................6
2.3 Analysing samples.........................................................................................................................6
2.4 Blood samples................................................................................................................................7

3. RESULTS .........................................................................................................................8
3.1 State farms ...................................................................................................................9
3.3 Household farms .........................................................................................................................10

4. DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................11
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................12
6. REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................13

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Calf Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is one of the most common causes of sickness and mortality among
newborn calves. Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, coronavirus och
Escherichia coli F5 (previously named E. coli K99) are internationally considered
the most common pathogens causing neonatal calf diarrhoea. The clinical signs
are similar for all the pathogens, but the symptoms tend to be more severe if the
pathogens occur in a coinfection (Tzipori, 1981).
In a French survey (Bendali et al., 1999b) it was reported that lack of mineral and
vitamin supplementation, dirty cows or no periodical cleaning of stalls after
calving season, no E. coli vaccination of cows, calf birth assistance due to
dystocia, stress due to dyspn, inadequate colostrum feeding, many calves on a
small surface and introduction of new cows to the herd were factors that
contributed to diarrhoea in the calves. There was no relationship between treating
the navel and the presence of diarrhoea. The number of births from a cow, herd
size and type of housing were not relevant (Bendali et al.,1999b).
Diarrhoeic and unhealthy calves are an important source of economic loss for the
farmer. The average cost associated with prevention and mortality of
gastrointestinal disease has been estimated to 33.46 US Dollars per calf per year.
It is not only a loss of the present value of the calf but also loss of genetic
potential for herd improvement (Kaneene & Hurd, 1990).
1.2 Rotavirus
A calf with rotavirus infection can show a wide spectrum of clinical signs. The
infection may be subclinical, or associated with mild diarrhoea. In more severe
cases the calf can express depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and dehydration. Calves
seem to be most susceptible to rotavirus infection at the age 1 day - 3 weeks, but
infections do also occur in older individuals. The diarrhoea may last for 1-2 days
in mild cases, and 3-5 days in cases with a secondary bacterial infection (TorresMedina et al. 1985).
In studies performed in Sweden between 1993 and 2006, the prevalence of
rotavirus among calves with diarrhoea was 24-47% (de Verdier 2006). In UK the
prevalence has been reported to be 42% (Reynolds et. al., 1986) and in Costa Rica
7% (Perez, et. al., 1998). In Argentina the prevalence of rotavirus during a 10-year
period was 62% among calves with diarrhoea (Garaicoechea et al. 2006).
Rotavirus was found in 37% of diarrhoeic calves in France (de Rycke et al. 1986).
The overall prevalence of rotavirus was 16% in calves in Ohio (Lucchelli et al.,
1992) and 47% in a survey with calves from south-west France (Bendali et al.
1999a)

1.2.1 Structure

Rotaviruses are a primary cause of diarrhoea in calves, lambs, piglets, foals, kids
and children. The genus rotavirus belongs to the family of Reoviridae, a double
stranded RNA virus. The genome consists of 11 double stranded RNA segments,
which is surrounded by a three layered protein capsule (Fig. 1). The genus is
grouped into 7 species; Rotavirus A G. Group A rotaviruses are the most
frequent serotype causing diarrhoea in farm animals and humans. Rotavirus
serogroup B and C are also seen in cattle. The rotavirus serogroups are further
divided into serotypes based on the outer capsid proteins, VP7 (G types) and VP4
(P types). At least 14 G and 12 P serotypes are recognized in group A rotaviruses
(Radostits et al., 2000). The rotaviruses are species specific, and therefore not
zoonotic.
1.2.2 Pathogenesis

The virus infects the established enterocytes by endocytosis at the small intestine
villi. The viral genome is transcribed in the cell and causes degenerative changes
that make the cell exfoliate. A massive loss of enterocytes leads to fusion of the
villi. Squamous or cuboidal epithelium replaces the columnar epithelium. The
diarrhoea is caused by the lack of cells that are able to process lactose and the
reduced mucus area cause an increase of glucose and galactose in the lumen. In
the large intestine the amount of lactose in the lumen leads to a reduced
absorption of water because of osmotic pressure. Mature absorbing cells in the
small intestine are replaced by immature cells with secretory function. Functional
balance may therefore change from absorption to secretion (Scott et. al., 2004).

www.epa.gov/microbes/rota.htm. Photo credit: F. P. Williams, U.S. EPA

Fig 1. Electronmicroscope picture of rotavirus particles

1.2.3 Transmission

Rotavirus is endemic and present in all cattle herds (Scott et. al, 2004). The
pathogen is being shed by both calves and adult cows. The calves become infected
by the faecal-oral route by their dam or by other calves. The colostrum contains
specific anti-rotaviral antibodies, that protect the calf from infection during the
first few days after birth. The incubation period is 18-24 h. The distinct drop of
colostral antibodies at the age of 3 days match the peak of diarrhoea at the age of
5-7 days (Radostits et al., 2000).
1.2.4 Diagnosis

Diagnosis of rotavirus infection is based on finding the pathogen in the faeces

from a calf. The two diagnostic methods most often used are electron microscopy
and ELISA. Using electron microscopy one can clearly see the virions, but the
method is fairly insensitive. If several samples are to be analysed at the same time,
ELISA is a rapid and effective diagnostic method (Klingenberg, 1995, Radostits
et al., 2000).
Presence of rotavirus in the faeces does not necessarily mean that the diarrhoea is
caused by rotavirus infection. Many calves without diarrhoea excrete rotavirus. To
evaluate an outbreak of calf diarrhoea on a farm, it is recommended to take 4
samples from diarrhoeic and 4 samples from healthy calves for comparison (Scott
et. al, 2004).
1.2.5 Risk Factors

Risk factors that influence rotavirus infection and severity of the disease:

Age of the animal. Calves are most susceptible to rotavirus infection at the
age of 1-3 weeks (Radostits et al., 2000).
Colostrum intake. Colostrum contains specific antirotaviral antibodies that
prevent infection and diarrhoea. The levels decline rapidly, and about three
days post partum the concentration is thought to be non-protective.
Colostrum intake decreases the mortality (Radostits et al. 2000), but delays
rather than prevents rotaviral infection (Scott et. al, 2004).
Immune status of the dam. The level of specific antibodies in the
colostrum is lower in heifers than in dams (Radostits et al., 2000).
Ambient temperature (Radostits et al., 2000).
Presence of other enteropathogens. The results of several investigations
indicate that mixed infections are more common than infections with
single pathogens (Radostits et al., 2000).
Population density (Tzipori, 1981, Murphy et. al, 1999)

Rotavirus is mostly found in calves kept in large groups. The morbidity rate varies
from herd to herd and from one year to another. The survival of rotavirus in air
and on surfaces is influenced by the air humidity (Radostits et al., 2000).

1.2.5 Treatment and prophylaxis

There is today no efficient treatment for the pathogens causing neonatal diarrhoea.
The way to manage calf diarrhoea is therefore prophylactic. Prevention of calf
diarrhoea is difficult because of the large number of pathogens that may be
involved, but there are also many different environmental factors associated with
calf diarrhoea, as mentioned above. The adequate prophylaxis is concentrated to
colostrum intake and a reduction of environmental risk factors. A rich and
balanced diet and a well cleaned environment seem to decrease the rate of
diarrhoea (Bendali et al., 1999b).
Even more important than a clean environment is the local immunity of the gut
lumen of the calf. The rotaviral antibodies from the colostrum, circulating in the
blood, are only important the first days. After that the antibodies in the gut are the
most important, and feeding of small amounts of colostrum for a longer period
can prevent rotaviral infection. (Murphy et al., 1999)
In a survey from Japan a correlation between neonatal diarrhoea and virus
neutralizing maternal antibodies against rotavirus was examined. The titers of
antibodies were significantly higher in the calves with no diarrhoea than in
diarrhoeic calves. (Kohara & Tsunemitsu, 2000) This shows that colostrum intake
is an important part in preventing calf diarrhoea.
1.3 Cattle in Vietnam
The following information was extracted from Tuyen & Giao. (2002).
Eighty percent of the Vietnamese population of 80 million people lives in the
countryside and are dependent on farming products for their income. The local
Vietnamese cattle are small and produce low levels of milk and meat (Fig. 2).
Some factors that have a negative effect on dairy production in the country are
that there is not enough land for cattle breeding, the farmers are still inexperienced
in cattle feeding and management and the animal health service is not effective.
There is a growing demand for dairy products in Vietnam and measures have been
taken by the government to enhance the dairy production. In October 2001, the
government issued a 10 year plan for dairy development in the whole country.
One measure was to select first-class local cows to be crossbred with HolsteinFriesians. Frozen semen from Holstein-Friesian bulls, and also heifers and cows
are imported from e.g. Australia. The crossbreeds are well suited to the
Vietnamese management system and the tropical climate. The milk production
has successfully increased since the project started.

Fig 2. Local breed Vietnamese cows.

The dairy cows in Vietnam are mostly found in the southern parts of the country.
Most farms are household farms with less than 10 animals, but some have 10-100
cows. There are also 9 state farms with 500 to 1000 animals. The cattle on the
state farms altogether constitute almost 50% of the total cattle population in the
country.
1.4 Aim of the study
The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of rotavirus infection
in dairy calves in South Vietnam and to evaluate the importance of group A
rotavirus as a cause of neonatal enteritis in the country.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Selection of farms and cattle
Cattle from 6 districts, Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh, Binh Thanh, Hoc
Mon and Chau Thanh, in south of Vietnam were included in the study. The farms
were participating in an ongoing Dairy Cow Project and not selected especially
for the purpose of this study. Two exceptions were the districts of Hoc Mon and
Chau Thanh, where local veterinarians guided us, and farms were chosen by
convenience.
Samples were collected from 39 dairy farms from September to November 2006.
Half of the samples were collected in four of the nine state farms in Vietnam. The
state farms housed several hundred cows each. The remaining samples were from
household farms which were divided into three categories: 1-5 cows (15 farms),
5-20 cows (14 farms) and 20-100 cows (6 farms).

Calves younger than 60 days were included in the study. Both diarrhoeic and non
diarrhoeic calves were sampled from the same farm. At farms with less than 20
cows all calves were sampled. In farms with herd size over 20 cows, the number
of calves was chosen by convenience. No more than 20 samples were collected at
any farm.
2.2 Sample collection
Faeces were sampled from the rectum using a disposable latex glove (Fig. 3). In
rare cases when the rectum was empty, the top layer of a fresh dropping on the
floor was collected, but only if it could be proven to belong to the right calf. The
samples were transported to Nong Lam University and stored at a temperature of
- 20C until analysis.
The farmers were asked about age and breed of the calves, and the gender and the
diarrhoeic status were noted. Diarrhoea was defined as faeces so loose that it
would not hold its shape.

Fig 3. Collecting faecal samples at a state farm.

2.3 Analysing samples

The IDEIA Rotavirus antigen ELISA (Enzymelinked Immunosorbent Assay)
specific to group A rotavirus (DakoCytomation Ltd, Cambridgeshire) was used in
this study and the test was performed according to the instructions from the
manufacturer. Sample diluent was added to faecal material to obtain a 10%
suspension. The faecal suspension and positive and negative controls were added
to the wells coated with rotavirus specific polyclonal antibodies, together with a
rotavirus specific polyclonal antibody conjugated to hydrogen peroxidase (the
conjugate). If rotavirus was present in the sample it was captured between the
coated antibodies and the conjugate. After 60 minutes incubation at room
temperature the plate was washed to remove redundant sample material and
unbound conjugate. A chromogen was added and the plate incubated for 10
minutes at room temperature. Presence of bound conjugate in the wells caused a
change in colour, which is stopped by adding sulphuric acid. Colour intensity
significantly higher than the colour in the negative control well indicated that the
sample was positive for group A rotavirus. The results were first read visually. If
any of the wells on a plate looked positive, the optical density at 450 nm was
measured by a spectrophotometer.. The producer reports the sensitivity and
specificity of the test to be 93-100% and 94-100%, respectively.

Fig 4. Laboratory at Nong Lam University.

2.4 Modification of the study

There were some adjustments made to the original plan for the study. Each calf
participating was supposed to be checked for level of total protein in the blood.
There was also a questionnaire prepared to be used for gathering information
about the history of diarrhoea of the calves.
Information about the level of total protein is interesting because in young calves
it indicates the colostral intake. A low level of antibodies in the blood is indicated

by a low total protein value (Radostits et al. 2000). A connection between low
antibody levels and diarrhoea could have been searched for. Also, knowing if the
calves had been suffering from diarrhoea at an earlier stage of life would have
been valuable information. It would have given a better picture of the number of
calves shedding rotavirus without suffering from diarrhoea. When the calf is
sampled only at one occasion, symptoms from rotavirus infection could have
ceased at the time of sampling.
The young calves are valuable to the farmers of Vietnam. If the calves weaken,
the farmer may suffer an economical loss. Veterinarians are seldom trusted to
inject the calves because of fear that this will lead to infection. A foreigner is even
less trusted. Mostly because of linguistic difficulties it was also difficult to get
information from the farmers about the diarrhoeic state of the calves. As a
consequence of this, few blood samples were collected (Fig. 5) and the study had
to be based on the diarrhoeic status at the day of sampling.

Fig 5. Collecting blood samples from the jugular vein using vacutainer.

3. RESULTS
In total, 120 samples were collected from 39 dairy herds and analysed for
presence of group A rotavirus. The samples were also used in a co-operating study
to estimate the prevalence of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. The
C. parvum results are presented here but discussed in a separate report (Kjelln,
2007).
Sixteen faecal samples were collected from the category 1-5 cows, 27 samples
from 5-20 cows and 20 samples from the category 20-100 cows. Fifty-seven
of the faecal samples were collected from state farms.
In total 18 (15%) samples were positive for rotavirus and 10 (8%) samples were
positive for C. parvum. 45 of the 120 samples were from calves with diarrhoea. 4
(9%) calves suffering from diarrhoea were positive for C. parvum and 10 (22%)
were positive for group A rotavirus. Another two samples were co-infected with
the two pathogens.
8

number of samples

Seventy-five calves had formed faeces at the time of sampling. Five (7%) of them
were positive for rotavirus, 3 (4%) were positive for C. parvum and one was
positive for both pathogens (Fig.6).
80

65

60
40

28
10

20

0
diarrhoea
rotavirus

no diarrhoea
rota + c. parvum

c. parvum

negative

Fig. 6. Cryptosporidium parvum and rotavirus infection in calves with and without
diarrhoea.

3.1 State farms

The majority of the samples with rotavirus and C. parvum were from calves held
in state farms (Fig. 7). Of the samples from state farms, 14 were positive for
rotavirus and 5 were positive for C. parvum. Three calves were co-infected with
both pathogens.

number of samples

40

35

35
30

26

25
18

20
15
10
5

16

14

3
0

0
state farms 460-650 cows

20-100 cows
rotavirus

5-20 cows

C. parvum

rota + c. parvum

1-5 cows
negative

Fig. 7. Presence of rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum in calves from farms of

different size.

The overall occurrence of rotavirus and C. parvum among the samples collected
from state farms was 30% and 14% respectively. The average presence of
diarrhoea was 54%. There were individual differences between the farms (Table
1).
In the samples from state farm number 3 the occurrence of diarrhoea was 75%.
There was also a high number of samples positive for rotavirus and C. parvum, 10
(50%) and 2 (10%) respectively. Co-infection with both pathogens was found in 3
samples (15%). State farm number 1 had a low occurrence of diarrhoea and no
pathogens were found in any sample from this farm.
Ten of the samples (50%) at state farm number 2 were from diarrhoeic calves.
Two of them (10%) were shedding rotavirus and 2 (10%) were shedding C.
parvum.
Because of lack of analysing reagents only 5 samples were collected at state farm
number 4. Rotavirus and C. parvum was found in 1 (20%) sample each.

Table 1. Diarrhoea, rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum infection in dairy calves

from 4 state farms in South Vietnam

Herd
number
1
2
3
4
Total

Herd
size
Number
No
C.
Diarrhoea
Rotavirus
(number
of
diarrhoea
parvum
(%)
(%)
of
samples
(%)
(%)
cows)
460
12
4 (33)
8 (67)
0 (0)
0 (0)
650
20
10 (50)
10 (50)
2 (10)
2 (10)
450
20
15 (75)
5 (25)
10 (50) 2 (10)
450
5
2 (40)
3 (60)
1 (20)
1 (20)
57
31 (54)
26 (46)
13 (23)
5 (9)

Rota +
c.parvum
(%)
0 (0)
0 (0)
3 (15)
0 (0)
3 (5)

3.2 Household farms

Few positive samples were found in the household farms. The farms were divided
into 3 groups referring to herd size. Only 1 sample in the group of 5-20 cows was
positive for rotavirus, and 2 samples in the group of 20-100 cows were had C.
parvum (Table 2). The occurrence of diarrhoea was higher than the occurrence of
pathogens in the household farms. The rate of diarrhoea seemed to increase with
herd size.

10

Table 2. Number of diarrhoea, rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum infection in calves

from household farms
Herd
size
(number
of
cows)
1-5
5-20
20-100
Total

Number
of
farms

Number
of
samples

Diarrhoea
(%)

No
diarrhoea
(%)

Rotavirus
(%)

C.
parvum
(%)

Rota + C.
parvum
(%)

15
14
6
35

16
27
20
63

2 (13)
7 (26)
7 (35)
16 (25)

14 (87)
20 (74)
13 (65)
47 (75)

0 (0)
1 (4)
0 (0)
1 (2)

0(0)
0 (0)
2(10)
2 (3)

0 (0)
0 (0)
0 (0)
0 (0)

4. DISCUSSION
In this first study on rotavirus infection in calves in Vietnam the prevalence was
15% which can be considered low to moderate in comparison with findings from
other parts of the world where prevalences have been reported to vary from 7 to
62% (de Rycke et. al. 1986, Reynolds et. al. 1986, Perez et. al. 1997,
Garaicoechea 2005, de Verdier 2006). The majority of these investigations
exclusively monitor calves with diarrhoea. However, a study from Ohio including
samples from both diarrhoeic and healthy calves showed a rotavirus prevalence of
16% (Lucchelli et. al. 1992). Furthermore, a survey in south-west France
investigating both healthy and diarrhoeic calves reported a rotavirus prevalence of
47% (Bendali et. al. 1999a).
The most interesting result was that the levels of both rotavirus and C. parvum
infection were so much higher in samples collected in state farms than in
household farms. Out of 57 samples collected from calves held in state farms
there were 17 samples with rotavirus. This is a prevalence of 30%, a level twice as
high as the overall prevalence in this study. Three of these samples were
coinfected with C. parvum. Coinfections were not seen at all in the household
farms. The high rate of infection can be explained by a combination of different
factors.
The state farms are large, holding several hundreds of cows, and the calves are
kept together in big groups. Small calves are held in separate boxes, but they are
still able to be in contact with each other and with elder calves that tend to run
free close to the younger ones. Age sequencing is sometimes used, but the all-inall-out system is uncommon. The continuous breeding system is often used, and
this causes difficulties to clean and dry the pens properly before new calves are
put in. This provides a good environment for the rotavirus to spread within a herd
and to stay there for a long time once it has been manifested there. There are also
more movements of animals and people to and from the state farms which make it
easier to spread the rotavirus. In a large herd it is hard for the farmers to pay
enough attention to every calf, and the infections are allowed to spread in the
herd. These are all factors that in other studies have been reported to influence the
rate of calf diarrhoea, and may contribute to the high level of rotaviral infections

11

in calves in the state farms. (Tzipori, 1981, Bendali et. al., 1999b, Radostits,
2000).
The level of diarrhoea in state farms was also higher than in household farms.
Fifty four percent of the calves sampled at the state farms were suffered from
diarrhoea. This rate can be considered as moderate to high. In household farms the
rate of diarrhoeic samples was 25%.
Sixty three samples were collected from 35 household farms. Rotavirus was found
in only 1 sample, C. parvum was found in 2 samples. This indicates that the
prevalences of these two pathogens are very low in household farms. The factors
contributing to this low rate of rotavirus are several. There is not much traffic to
and from household farms, keeping the environment more closed. The small
farms that have very few cows often have only one calf at a time, creating a kind
of all-in-all-out system. The farmers can be very specific and attentive to their
calves, giving them a better protection against infections.
Many samples from all herd sizes were from calves suffering from diarrhoea, but
containing no rotavirus or C. parvum. This indicates that there are other pathogens
or factors causing calf diarrhoea in the farms in South Vietnam.
The results of this study indicate that there still are a lot of questions that need to
be answered about the pattern of calf diarrhoea in South Vietnam. Rotavirus plays
a role in the infection panorama of calf diarrhoea in South Vietnam, but there are
most probably other pathogens that are more important and there is still more
work to be done.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank SIDA for the Minor Field Study-scholarship which enabled
the implementation of the project. I also thank the supervisors Professor Huong,
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Nong Lam University,
HCMC, Vietnam as well as Professors Camilla Bjrkman and Stefan Alenius at
SLU. I am grateful to Ms Mai, Mr Vu, Ms Helena Reineck, Dr Kerstin de Verdier
and VMD Charlotte Silverls for valuable assistance during the study, and also to
veterinarians and farmers in Vietnam for fantastic co-operation and assistance.

12

6. REFERENCES
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newborn beef calves in south-west France. Veterinary Research 30, 61-74.
Bendali, F., Sanaa, M., Bichet, H. & Schelcher, F. (1999b). Risk factors associated with
diarrhoea in newborn calves. Veterinary Research 30, 509-522.
de Rycke, J., Bernard, S., Laporte, J., Naciri, M., Popoff, MR. & Rodolakis, A. (1986)
Prevalence of various enteropathogens in the feces of diarrhoeic and healthy calves.
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de Verdier, K. & Svensson, L. (1998) Group A rotavirus as a cause of neonatal calf
enteritis in Sweden. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 39, 195-199.
Garaicoechea, L., Bok, K., Jones, LR., Combessies, G., Oden, A., Fernandez, F. &
Parreo, V. (2006) Molecular characterization of bovine rotavirus circulating in beef and
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