Serotypes of bovine rotaviruses distinguished by serum neutralization

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Abstract
Cytopathic bovine rotaviruses (14) isolated from naturally affected calves were characterized serologically by serum neutralization. Antisera were prepared in guinea pigs against the 3 isolates and the Lincoln strain of bovine rotavirus. These 4 rotaviruses were segregated into at least 2 distinct serotypes (designated types 1 and 2) by serum neutralization. The remaining 11 isolates were placed into 2 groups according to neutralization specificity by using the antisera against types 1 and 2 bovine rotavirus. When colostrum-deprived calves were experimentally inoculated with type 1 or 2 bovine rotavirus, respectively, the calves produced neutralizing antibodies against the inoculated serotype but not against the other serotype. Calf sera obtained from 6 herds with naturally occurring rotavirus infections possessed neutralizing antibodies against type 1 and/or 2. Thus, distinct serotypes of bovine rotavirus were demonstrated by serum neutralization. The possible role of serotypes in the epidemiology of rotavirus infection among bovine species is discussed.