Rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in foals in Greece.

This study investigates an outbreak of diarrhoea, confirmed to be caused by a specific type of rotavirus, in young foals at a Greek stud farm over two consecutive breeding periods in 2006 and 2007. All isolated virus strands from the affected foals were genetically identical, suggesting that the same virus strain persisted at the stud farm over the two years.

Research Methodology and Findings

• During the spring breeding seasons of 2006 and 2007, outbreaks of diarrhoeic syndrome occurred among young foals at the same stud farm in Greece. These incidents prompted further investigation into the cause and nature of the diarrhoea.
• Researchers investigating the outbreaks used electron microscopy to detect the presence of rotavirus-like particles in the faeces of the affected foals. This provided a clear indication that a rotavirus was responsible for the diarrhoeal outbreaks.
• The type of rotavirus was confirmed as group A through Reverse-Transcription (RT)-PCR testing. This process involved using rotavirus-specific primers to induce PCR, a method used to amplify segments of DNA and RNA.
• Further sequence analysis of the genes encoding the outer capsid proteins (VP7 and VP4) of the rotavirus enabled researchers to classify the viruses. Their classification identified the viruses as G3AP[12], a specific set of codes indicating the G (glycoprotein) and P (protease-sensitive) types of the virus.
• This particular strain of rotavirus was found to be highly similar to other recent strains of equine rotavirus reported in European countries. The genetic similarity across multiple outbreaks could point towards a common source or pattern of transmission.
• Interestingly, all the equine rotavirus isolates from the Greek stud farm were genetically identical. This suggests that the same strain of virus was persistent at the farm during both of the breeding periods in which the outbreaks occurred.

Significance of the Research

• The research is significant as it provides insights into understanding how the same strain of virus can persist over different breeding periods, potentially contributing towards disease management and prevention in equine populations.
• Moreover, this study may lead to better knowledge regarding the transmission and survival of rotavirus, and this information could be applicable to other environments and species.