Rotavirus infection
From Felipedia
Rotaviruses, a virus belonging to the family of Reoviridae, are a common viral infection of cats which causes diarrhoea.
Rotaviruses are non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus, relatively resistant to environmental destruction (acid and lipid solvents). They possess a unique double capsid protects virus from inactivation in the upper GI tract. They are the most significant cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children (< 2 years) and animals throughout the world.
Rotaviruses are transmitted by fecal-oral contamination. They infect mature epithelial cells on luminal tips of the intestinal villi, causing swelling, degeneration, and desquamation. The denuded villi contract, resulting in villous atrophy with loss of absorptive capability and loss of brush border enzymes (e.g., disaccharidases), leading to osmotic diarrhea.
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Clinical signs
Kittens and young cats (< 6 months of age) more susceptible to infection.
Rotaviruses cause primarily subclinical or mild diarrhea; however, with co-infections (FeLV, FIP, or FIV) or in stressed conditions, more severe clinical disease may occur.
Diagnosis
Direct electron microscopy is used to detect the virus in the feces (rapid, lack of sensitivity). Immunoelectron microscopy is more sensitive and specific than direct electron microscopy but is not commonly available. ELISA tests are now commercially available to detect common group rotaviral antigen in feces (Rotazyme, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL).
Histology - swollen, small intestinal villi with mild infiltration by macrophages and neutrophils (virus detected by fluorescent antibody test).
Virus isolation and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) are also available. Serology not recommended because most animals (e.g., 85% of dogs) carry antibodies as a result of previous exposure or from passive antibody immunization transfer from the bitch or queen (must demonstrate fourfold difference in acute and convalescent serum samples).
Differential diagnosis
Feline viral enteritis - feline parvovirus (Feline Panleucopenia virus), feline leukemia virus, feline coronavirus, feline astrovirus, feline calicivirus
Other causes of enteritis - bacteria (e.g., Salmonella spp, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium spp), fungi, protozoa, parasitic, foreign bodies, intussusception, allergies, and toxicants
Treatment
Symptomatic for diarrhea (fluids, electrolytes, and dietary restriction)
Principal protection probably antibodies present in milk of immune bitch or queen
