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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Rotavirus infection in foals.
American journal of veterinary research1980; 41(10); 1699-1703;

Rotavirus infection in foals.

Abstract: Fecal samples from 86 foals with diarrhea were examined by electron microscopy during a 2.5 year period. Of these, 26 (30%) were positive for rotavirus. All of the cases were found in epizootic areas. The disease was produced in an experimental foal by inoculation via stomach tube of a bacteria-free fecal filtrate containing rotavirus. Examination of postmortem tissues from the duodenum and jejunum of 2 naturally infected foals and an experimentally infected foal revealed replicating virus in the intestinal epithelial cells. A limited survey of complement-fixing antibody to rotavirus in horses from Kentucky, Virginia, and France indicated that all horses had antibody to the virus. The sole exception was 1 foal from which blood samples were collected prior to suckling. These results were presumptive evidence that rotavirus is a major cause of diarrhea in foals, and the presence of antibody in horses from diverse areas is evidence for the ubiquitousness of this infection.
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Publication Date: 1980-10-01 PubMed ID: 6261616
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper discusses rotavirus infections in foals, concluding that this widespread virus is a leading cause of diarrhea in foals after analyzing fecal samples from 86 foals over a 2.5 year period.

Study Methodology

  • The 2.5-year long study involved examination of fecal samples from 86 foals suffering from diarrhea.
  • The samples were analyzed using electron microscopy to identify the presence of rotavirus.
  • In addition to natural cases, researchers also created a diseased case by inoculating a foal with a bacteria-free fecal filtrate carrying rotavirus.

Study Findings

  • Out of 86 samples, 26 (which forms about 30%) were diagnosed positive for rotavirus.
  • All of the positive cases were located specifically in epizootic areas, areas having a high concentration of disease.
  • The artificial case created by purposefully infecting a foal with the virus, produced equivalent results, further substantiating the role of rotavirus in causing diarrhea among foals.
  • On examining tissues from the intestines of infected foals, the virus was found to be replicating in the intestinal epithelial cells, providing another foothold for the conclusion of its pathogenic role.

Antibody Survey

  • A limited survey for antibodies against rotavirus was conducted among horses in Kentucky, Virginia, and France.
  • The results indicated the presence of these antibodies in all horses except for one newborn foal, which had blood samples collected prior to its ability to suckle and acquire maternal antibodies.
  • This widespread antibody presence in horses, regardless of geographical location, hints towards the universality of the rotavirus infection.

Conclusion

  • The outcomes of this research pointed towards rotavirus as a leading cause of diarrhea in foals.
  • The ubiquitous presence of antibodies against this virus among horses around the globe further solidifies its status as a widespread infectious agent.

Cite This Article

APA
Conner ME, Darlington RW. (1980). Rotavirus infection in foals. Am J Vet Res, 41(10), 1699-1703.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 10
Pages: 1699-1703

Researcher Affiliations

Conner, M E
    Darlington, R W

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Diarrhea / microbiology
      • Diarrhea / veterinary
      • Duodenum / ultrastructure
      • Feces / microbiology
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Jejunum / ultrastructure
      • Reoviridae / isolation & purification
      • Reoviridae Infections / diagnosis
      • Reoviridae Infections / veterinary
      • Rotavirus / isolation & purification
      • Rotavirus / ultrastructure

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