Rat rotavirus

Test code: S0260 - Qualitative detection of rat rotavirus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction

Test S0260 is included on the P0063 Rat breeding PCR panel

Rat rotavirus (RV) is a double-stranded RNA virus in the Reoviridae family. It is a significant cause of infectious diarrhea in neonatal (2-3 weeks old) and juvenile rats. Infected animals show watery diarrhea (yellowish or soft stools). Animals may show lethargy and weakness. Dehydration and weight loss may lead to the death of the infected rats. The symptoms are more severe in immunocompromised or very young rats. Infected adult rats are usually asymptomatic carriers.

Transmission of this virus is mainly through the fecal-oral route. The virus is shed in feces, which leads to contamination of bedding, cages, food, and water. This virus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly through a rat colony.

Serological test methods may not be adequately specific because serology tests may cross-react with other viruses. However, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can be used to detect viral RNA in feces (Eiden et al., 1991).

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of rat rotavirus infection.
• Help ensure that rodent colonies are free of this virus
• Early prevention of spread of rat rotavirus among a colony
• Minimize human exposure to this virus

References:

Eiden, J.J., Wilde, J., Firoozmand, F. and Yolken, R. (1991) Detection of animal and human group B rotaviruses in fecal specimens by polymerase chain reaction. J Clin Microbiol. 29:539-543.

Specimen requirements: 1 fecal pellet.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected