RESUMO
Two handred and ninety five faecal samples from 45 days old calves with and without diarrhoea were processed using the ELISA, PAGE, and IFT techniques for rotavirus detection. Ninety one sample (31%) proved to be positive bu at least one of the techniques used. ELISA detected 93%, PAGE 84% and IFT 67%. Fifteen per cent of the samples were positive using ELISA and negative using PAGE, The reverse situation appeared in 5% of the samples. In 5%, 4% and 1% only of the techniques used showed the presence of the virus (ELISA, PAGE and IFT, respectively). ELISA proved to be the most sensitive technique for the detection of rotavirus in the faeces of calves. No relationship could be established between detection of rotavirus by any one of teh techniques used and age, imptomatology, geographical distribution, and electrophoretic pattern. Rotavirus was detected more frequently in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic calves