Winter dysentery (WD) is a very contagious disease of cattle characterized by profuse diarrhea. The precise etiology of disease is still not fully elucidated. Aim of the presented study was investigation of the causative agents of disease in a herd affected by WD and to evaluate routine haematological and biochemical parameters of cows with WD. This study was carried out on blood and fecal samples collected from 12 cows showing typical signs of disease during an outbreak of WD in Bursa, Turkey.

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... Samples were analysed for the presence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV), Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), Eimeria oocysts and Campylobacter spp. using ELISA, RT-PCR, flotation technique and culture. Faecal samples were inoculated in HRT cell cultures for virus isolation. Isolated viruses were identified as coronaviruses from 25% of the samples by ELISA, PCR and serum neutralisation tests. Campylobacter spp. was isolated from 33.3% cows with dysentery. BVD and Eimeria oocysts were not detected in any of the samples. Results of the presented study indicates that BcoV along with Compylobacter spp. may be the primary agent of WD in cows. However negative results for BCoV and Campylobacter spp of 58 % of feacal samples indicates that etiology of the disease is still not fully elucidated and pathogens other than BCoV and Campylobacter could also be involved in pathogenesis of the disease