Detection of rotavirus in experimentally infected calves using immunoperoxidase technique

Immunoperoxidase technique was used for the detection of rotavirus antigen in the tissue sections of the intestine's of experimentally infected calves . The rotavirus antigen was detected in villous epithelial cells up to day 6 post infection, and thereafter the tissue sections were negative for rota virus antigen. The rotavirus antigen containing cells were more prominent a t the tips of villi. In some cases the rotavirus antigen was demonstrated i n epithelial cells of the crypts. The colon and small intestine of all cont rol calves and colon of infected calves did not reveal any rotaviral antige n in the sections. The localization of antigen in the formalin-fixed tissue sections offers confirmatory diagnosis which can be used for epidemiologic al investigations particularly for retrospective studies.