Identification of co-infection by rotavirus and parvovirus in dogs with gastroenteritis in Mexico

Ortega, Ariadna Flores; Martínez-Castañeda, José Simón; Bautista-Gómez, Linda G.; Muñoz, Raúl Fajardo; Hernández, Israel Quijano

Actually, rotaviruses are classified as distinct members of the family reoviridae, genus rotavirus, comprising five species (A to E) and two tentative species (F and G). Canine rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA, non-enveloped virus that possesses a segmented genome and that is approximately 60-75 nm in diameter; few isolates of rotavirus have been reported in dogs, these have been classified as serotypes G3 and P5A, grouped into group A, rotavirus of this group cause neonatal diarrhea in human and many animal species; it has been demonstrated that direct interspecies transmission between heterologous strains are key mechanisms in generating rotavirus strain diversity in new hosts. Human infection for rotavirus of canine origin has been reported. 10, 11 Clinical signs of the disease include moderate enteritis, mainly in pups younger than two weeks old, 12, 13 and it also causes lethargy, anorexia, fever, diarrhea and vomiting. Generally, patients recover within two weeks; however, there are reports of fatal severe enteritis in dogs under two weeks old. 14 The presence of antibodies against rotavirus has been demonstrated in a high percentage of adult dogs (80%). 15 Rotavirus infection does not have pathognomonic clinical signs and most dogs can be asymptomatic to infection and occasionally signs can be confused with parvovirus, therefore, laboratory test for differential diagnoses are necessary. 3, 13 In Mexico, it remains unknown whether rotavirus is circulating amongst canine populations and if it plays a primary role as etiologic agent in gastroenteritis.