Issues

Rotavirus Infections

 

Rotavirus Infections is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus; rota (Latin; “wheel”) for shape of the capsid; genus within the family Reoviridae; relatively resistant to environmental destruction (acid and lipid solvents); unique double capsid protects virus from inactivation in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Wide host range, identified in almost every species investigated.

Most significant cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children (< 2 years) and animals throughout the world.

Transmission—fecal-oral contamination.

Infection—affects mature epithelial cells on luminal tips of the intestinal villi; causes swelling, degeneration, and desquamation; denuded villi contract; results in villous atrophy with loss of absorptive capability and loss of brush border enzymes (e.g., disaccharidases); leads to osmotic diarrhea.

 

SIGNALMENT

Dogs and cats.

Pups < 12 weeks old and more often < 2 weeks old—diarrhea.

Kittens and young cats (< 6 months of age)—more susceptible to infection.

 

SIGNS

Dogs—most infections subclinical or limited to relatively mild, nonspecific, watery to mucoid diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy; rare fatalities reported.

Cats—primarily subclinical or mild diarrhea; more severe clinical disease may occur with co-infections or in stressed conditions.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

• Rotavirus.
• Young animals with immature immune systems at increased risk.
• Presence of other enteric pathogens.
• Overcrowding (virus stable in environment).

 

DIAGNOSIS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Canine viral enteritis—canine parvovirus; canine coronavirus; canine astrovirus; canine calicivirus; canine herpesvirus; canine distemper virus; canine reovirus.
• Feline viral enteritis—feline parvovirus (feline panleukopenia virus); FeLV; feline coronavirus; feline astrovirus; feline calicivirus.
• Other causes of enteritis—bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium); fungi; protozoa; parasites; foreign bodies; intussusception; allergies; toxicants.

 

CBC/BIOCHEMISTRY/URINALYSIS

Non-contributory

 

OTHER LABORATORY TESTS

• Serology—not recommended; most animals (e.g., 85% of dogs) carry antibodies owing to previous exposure or from passive antibody immunization transfer from the bitch or queen; must demonstrate four-fold difference in acute and convalescent serum samples.
• Direct electron microscopy—detects virus in feces; rapid; lack of sensitivity.
• Immunoelectron microscopy—more sensitive and specific than direct electron microscopy; not commonly available.
• ELISA—detect common group rotavirus antigen in feces 
• Latex agglutination; Virogen Rotatest (
• Immunochromatographic 
• Immunofluorescence.
• Virus isolation.
• PCR.

 

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Histology—swollen small intestinal villi; mild infiltration by macrophages and neutrophils; virus detected by fluorescent antibody test.

 

TREATMENT

• Symptomatic for diarrhea—fluids, electrolytes, and dietary restriction.
• Antibiotic therapy not indicated.
• Principal protection—probably antibodies in milk of immune bitch or queen.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL

Rotaviruses are not host-specific; thus, affected puppy or kitten may pose a potential human health hazard, particularly for infants.

Exercise care when handling fecal material from pets with diarrhea.

Humans—diarrhea; infants in developed countries: high morbidity and low mortality (attributed to fluid therapy); infants and young children in developing countries: leading cause of life-threatening diarrhea (more than 600,000 deaths per year in children < 5 years old); in United States, prior to routine vaccination of infants which began in 2006, more than 3 million episodes of diarrhea, ∼500,000 clinic visits, ∼60,000 hospitalizations but only 20–40 deaths per year. In US, pentavalent rotavirus oral vaccine has reduced hospitalizations by 60–75%.

 

ABBREVIATIONS

ELISA = enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

FeLV = feline leukemia virus

PCR = polymerase chain reaction

Visit your veterinarian as early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.

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