DETECTION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ROTAVIRUS IN LABORATORY RABBITS

Claudia Mitsue Koike (IB); Audrey Cilli (IB); Neuza Maria Frazatti-gallina (IB); Maria do Carmo Sampaio Tavares Timenetsky (IAL)

The use of animal models, including the rabbit and mouse models, are essencial to the understanding of rotavirus infection, pathology, disease, immunity, and testing of prospective vaccines in children. Only two animal models of rotavirus infection (rabbits and gnotobiotic piglets) closely mimic rotavirus infection in children and allow the study of active immune responses and protection. The epidemiology of rotavirus infections in rabbits is similar to that observed in other species. Both clinical and subclinical infections occur, and such infections are associated with high mortality in previously unexposed populations and with high morbity but low mortality in endemically infected populations. Among the disease that attack rabbits, group A rotaviruses are the major cause of acute diarrhea. The aim of this study was to analized laboratory rabbits that will be used in tests routine against rotavirus. In this study, 160 faecal samples were analyzed by ELISA and molecular characterized by RT–PCR using a semi-nested multiplex method and specific primers for G and P types. From total of samples, 7 were positive to rotavirus by ELISA and were characterized as genotype G3P[?]. These data, confirm many studies that indicate genotype G3 as the most prevalent occuring in rabbits. The G3 types were isolated from humans, rabbits, pigs, birds, cats, dogs, monkeys, horses, mice, cows and lambs worldwide. It is the only rotavirus G type for which such a broad host range has been described. We are still investigating the P[?] type of rabbits. The rabbit is a useful model to examine the serologic and, more importantly, the mucosal immune response following primary rotavirus infection. Natural infection of laboratory rabbits with rotavirus would have at least temporary adverse effects on studies involving the gastrointestinal system.