Rotaviruses constitute the genus Rotavirus, one of the 15 genera of Reoviridae
family. Rotaviruses, are very contagious segmented, double-stranded RNA viruses,
responsible for diarrheic diseases worldwide. Within genus Rotavirus, 7 distinct
groups (from A to G), as well as 4 specific subgroups within the group A, are
identified. Groups A–C are found in both humans and animals, while rotaviruses
of groups D–G are limited to animals. The groups A–E cause disease in animals
but humans are infected, most commonly by group A. Rotavirus is the leading
cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. The
disease is also seen in young calves, piglets, foals, lambs, kids, cats, dogs,
poultry and wild birds. The transmission route is fecal-oral and maximum
virus excretion occurs 2–5 days post infection. The rotavirus replicates in the
cytoplasm of the mature absorptive and enzyme producing enterocytes of small
intestinal villi. Destruction of mature villi leads to rupture and sloughing of the
enterocytes with release of virus and infection of adjacent cells. The clinical
outcome is similar in most species, and severity of disease may range from
asymptomatic or subclinical condition to severe gastroenteritis. Pertaining to
humans, rotavirus diarrhea is a major cause of death of millions of infants in
developing countries while in domestic animals it is inflicting severe losses
to the livestock sector. Generally, rotaviruses are species-specific, but human
infections with animal rotaviruses are possible. Rotaviruses can be detected
in stool specimens by several techniques, including electron microscopy,
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, antigen detection assays, RT-PCR and virus
isolation. For prevention, good management practices coupled with vaccination
of the dam for newborns protection, has to be practiced.