Equine rotavirus infection is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea in foals up to 6 months of age. Historically, equine rotavirus infection has been caused by group A rotaviruses (ERVA), with a range of different strain types.
In 2021 a novel rotavirus was identified associated with outbreaks of diarrhoea in very young foals in the USA. This virus is of the group B rotavirus family and has been termed Equine Rotavirus Group B (ERVB) and is closely related to ruminant Group B rotaviruses.
At that time, ERVB was not detectable by the existing diagnostic tests which targeted the Group A rotaviruses. New tests were developed by the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Centre in Lexington and, working in collaboration, Rossdales Laboratories is now able to offer improved PCR testing for both RVA and RVB to provide rapid and more sensitive diagnostic testing than previously available.
It is not yet known if the same strain of ERVB is currently circulating in the United Kingdom, but in many cases of foal diarrhoea we do not identify a specific aetiological agent and continually updating our armoury of tests is prudent. Positive isolates of ERVA and ERVB detected at our laboratory will be collected for research purposes to improve our understanding of the strains circulating globally, with the aim of improving vaccines.
ERVA & ERVB PCR testing can be requested as individual tests or as part of our ‘younger foal diarrhoea test panel.’
Contact laboratory@rossdales.com for more information.