Genomic revelations: investigating rotavirus a presence in wild ruminants and its zoonotic potential.
Authors: Šenica Petra, Žele Vengušt Diana, Vengušt Gorazd, Kuhar Urška
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Rotavirus A represents a significant pathogen in both human and veterinary medicine, causing acute gastroenteritis and accounting for approximately two million annual hospitalisations globally, yet its prevalence and genetic diversity in wild ruminant populations remain poorly characterised despite evidence of infection across multiple domestic species including horses, cattle, sheep and goats. The research team employed genomic analysis of rotavirus A strains isolated from wild ruminants, focusing on sequencing and categorising the VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) capsid protein segments that define the 42 established G genotypes and 58 P genotypes currently recognised in the literature. Their findings revealed specific G–P genotype combinations circulating in wild ruminant reservoirs, with certain combinations demonstrating the capacity to cross species barriers in ways that mirror patterns observed in domestic livestock. The implications for equine and other domestic animal health are substantive: wild ruminant populations may serve as unrecognised reservoirs for rotavirus variants capable of infecting horses and other species, particularly given the high mutation rate of the viral genome and the proximity of grazing animals in both pastoral and mixed-species environments. Equine practitioners should consider rotavirus A in differential diagnoses for acute diarrhoea, particularly in young stock with access to shared pasture or water sources, and maintain awareness that conventional management practices may not adequately prevent transmission from wildlife reservoirs.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Equine practitioners should be aware that rotavirus is a recognized cause of viral diarrhea in horses and that zoonotic potential exists, though transmission risk requires further investigation
- •Consider rotavirus as a differential diagnosis in cases of acute gastroenteritis in foals and young horses, particularly in multi-species or mixed grazing environments
- •Biosecurity measures that limit contact between domestic equines and wild ruminants may reduce exposure to novel RVA strains with potential zoonotic characteristics
Key Findings
- •Rotavirus A causes approximately 2 million hospitalizations annually in humans and is a major cause of viral diarrhea in domestic animals including horses, calves, goats, and lambs
- •RVA genome contains 11 segments with 42 known G genotypes and 58 known P genotypes, enabling classification and tracking of strains
- •Some combinations of G and P genotypes can infect multiple animal species, raising concerns about zoonotic transmission potential
- •RVA occurrence in wild ruminants remains poorly characterized despite being well-studied in humans and domestic animals