Rotavirus

Rotavirus Group A

Rotavirus Group A is a leading cause of neonatal diarrhea in calves and foals, with high morbidity and rapid dehydration in animals less than 2–3 weeks old. It is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus in the Reoviridae family, transmitted via the fecal-oral route and highly stable in the environment.

Clinical signs include:

• Profuse watery diarrhea
• Depression, dehydration, reduced suckling
• Potential secondary bacterial infections

qPCR testing enables:

• Rapid, sensitive detection of rotaviral RNA from fresh fecal samples
• Early diagnosis in individual cases or outbreak investigations
• Detection even in the early stages or low-shedding animals

Rotavirus is frequently included in multiplex neonatal diarrhea panels alongside Coronavirus , Cryptosporidium parvum , E. coli (ETEC) , and Salmonella spp.

This test supports:

• Timely intervention and fluid therapy to reduce mortality
• Hygiene and biosecurity planning, especially in group housing
• Evaluation of vaccine efficacy in herds or studs with persistent problems