Detection of rotavirus species A, B and C in domestic mammalian animals with diarrhoea and genotyping of bovine species A rotavirus strains

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are a major cause of viral diarrhea in the young of mammals and birds. RVA strains with certain genotype constellations or VP7–VP4 (G–P) genotype combinations are commonly found in a particular host species, whilst unusual or exotic RVAs have also been reported. In most cases, these exotic rotaviruses are derived from RVA strains common to other host species, possibly through interspecies transmission coupled with reassortment events, whilst a few other strains exhibit novel genotypes/genetic constellations rarely found in other RVAs. The epidemiology and evolutionary patterns of exotic rotaviruses in humans have been thoroughly reviewed previously. On the other hand, there is no comprehensive review article devoted to exotic rotaviruses in domestic animals and birds so far. The present review focuses on the exotic/unusual rotaviruses detected in livestock (cattle and pigs), horses and companion animals (cats and dogs). Avian rotaviruses (group D, group F and group G strains), including RVAs, which are genetically divergent from mammalian RVAs, are also discussed. Although scattered and limited studies have reported rotaviruses in several exotic animals and birds, including wildlife, these data remain to be reviewed. Therefore, a section entitled “rotaviruses in exotic animals” was included in the present review.

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Exotic rotaviruses in animals and rotaviruses in exotic animals

Evidence of natural transmission of group A rotavirus between domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Japan

Molecular characterization of rotaviruses in a Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and a masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) in Japan.

SUMMARY Rotavirus is a common pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans and domesticated animals The incidence of rotavirus in wild-living animals, particularly in avian species, has not been systematically investigated In this study 1220 fecal samples and cloacal swabs collected from wild-living birds during 2008 in Hungary were tested for the presence of group A rotaviruses by a VP6 gene-specific reverse-transcription–polymerase-chain-reaction assay Of the 1220 samples, 276 and 944 were processed as individual and pooled specimens, respectively Rotavirus was identified in two pooled pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) samples and two individual reed bunting samples (Emberiza schoeniclus) These data indicated a very low prevalence of group A rotaviruses (03%) in our sample set Nonetheless, the present study, together with existing literature data, implies that rotavirus infections occur in a wide spectrum of feral bird species These findings are exciting and suggest that pursuing rotavirus monitorin

https://bioone.org/journals/Avian-Diseases/volume-55/issue-1/9428-061610-RESNOTE.1/Monitoring-of-Group-A-Rotaviruses-in-Wild-Living-Birds-in/10.1637/9428-061610-RESNOTE.1.pdf

Monitoring of Group A Rotaviruses in Wild-Living Birds in Hungary

Electron microscopy and a commercial ELISA test for rotavirus antigen were used to diagnose rotavirus infection in diarrheic raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Gross and histopathological changes in two raccoons and two red foxes were found to be very similar to those described previously in rotavirus mediated diarrhea in other animals. While an etiology for the diarrhea is not definitively established, it would appear to involve rotavirus alone or possibly in concert with enteropathogenic coliform bacteria, overfeeding of a commercial kitten milk replacer and the stresses of captivity.

R. H. Evans

Papers

Rotavirus-associated diarrhea in young raccoons (procyon lotor), striped skunks (mephitis mephitis) and red foxes (vulpes vulpes)