Equine rotavirus infection

摘要

This review briefly describes the virus classification, clinical signs, epidemiology,diagnosis, disinfection, and vaccines related equine group A rotavirus (RVA) infection.Equine RVA is one of the most important pathogens causing diarrhoea in foals. The maintransmission route is faecal–oral, and the clinical signs are diarrhoea, fever, lethargy,and anorexia (decreased suckling). Some human RVA rapid antigen detection kits based onthe principles of the immunochromatographic assay are useful for the diagnosis of equineRVA infection. The kits are used in daily clinical practice because of their rapidity andease of handling. Equine RVA is a non-enveloped virus and is more resistant todisinfectants than enveloped viruses such as equine influenza virus and equineherpesvirus. Although amphoteric soaps and quaternary ammonium compounds are commonly usedin veterinary hygiene, they are generally ineffective against equine RVA. Alcoholproducts, aldehydes, and chlorine- and iodine-based compounds are effective against equineRVA. Inactivated vaccines have been used for equine RVA infection in some countries.Pregnant mares are intramuscularly inoculated with a vaccine, and thus their colostrum hasabundant antibodies against RVA at the time of birth. According to G and P classificationdefined in accordance with the VP7 and VP4 genes, respectively, the predominant equineRVAs circulating in horse populations globally are G3P[12] and G14P[12] equine RVAs, butthe vaccines contain only the G3P[12] equine RVA strain. Ideally, a G14P[12] equine RVAshould be added as a vaccine strain to obtain a better vaccine effect.