ROTAVIRUS ENTERITIS IN FOOD ANIMALS

Several diagnostic assays designed for rapid and accurate diagnosis of rotavirus infection have been developed and effectively used in food animal enteritis cases. Most of the seven currently recognized groups of rotavirus are major pathogens in both human and food animal neonate s; some groups have become important in adult diarrhea outbreaks. Stim ulation of local enteric immunity is required to combat infection effe ctively. Quantitation of serum antibody during assessment of the true protective ability of passively acquired (or actively induced) immunit y still provides some measure of protection because the antibody reloc ates to the gut after neonatal enteric absorption. This article review s diagnostic approaches currently used to identify rotavirus infection . Strategies for passive and vaccinal protection that have been used t o manage rotavirus enteritis in food animals are also discussed.