Evaluation of passive immunity transfer against G6P[1] rotavirus in holstein calves by ELISA

Abstract

The main strategy to prevent bovine rotavirus group A (RVA) diarrhea in calves is to vaccinate late-term dams aiming to enhance passive immunity transfer of specific immunoglobulins against the virus. This study aimed to evaluate influence of parity in titers of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1 and IgM in serum and colostrum of vaccinated or unvaccinated Holstein cows and in serum of its calves, associated with monitoring for RVA diarrhea in calves. Cows and its calves were allotted into groups according to parity and vaccination (primiparous/multiparous; vaccinated/unvaccinated) and serum and colostrum samples of cows were taken as well as serum and fecal samples of its calves. Parturition influenced colostral titers of IgG and IgG1, which were higher in multiparous cows, whilst IgM titers were influenced by vaccination, being higher in colostrum of vaccinated dams. Lowest serum titers of IgG and IgG1 were found in calves born to unvaccinated primiparous dams. Eleven calves presented RVA diarrhea, and genotypes G6P[11] and G6P[5] were found in the vaccinated and unvaccinated herds, respectively. Vaccination of dams prolongs humoral immunity in calves and enhances colostrum quality and should be a primary concern in primiparous cows.