Comparison by plaque assay of bovine rotavirus and a bovine enterovirus-like agent

Enterovirus-like particles from feces of calves are a frequent source of contamination of bovine rotavirus isolates. A study of plaque formation using BSC-1 cells indicated differences in behaviour of the viruses which could be used for differentiation and purification. The enterovirus-like particles produced well-defined plaques earlier and reached their optimal size much more rapidly than did the rotavirus. Furthermore, plaques produced by bovine enterovirus-like particles were significantly larger than those of bovine rotavirus. The viral cytopathic effects on the cells within the plaques were also characteristic for each virus.