Resumen

REYNOSO UTRERA, Emmanuel et al. Analysis of rotavirus in rabbits in the State of Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2019, vol.10, n.2, pp.511-521. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v10i2.4638.

Enteric diseases can severely impact livestock production systems, causing financial losses due to mortality, compromised growth performance and reduced conversion rates. Rotavirus is considered a principal cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in young humans and animals worldwide, and is associated with dehydrating diarrhea in livestock. A study was done to identify rotavirus in 39 small backyard rabbit production systems in thirteen municipalities in the south-eastern region of the State of Mexico. A total of 147 samples were analyzed with RT-PCR, 99 from healthy rabbits and 48 from animals exhibiting enteric symptoms. Lapine rotavirus was identified in nine (18.7 %) of the diseased animals, and none of the healthy individuals. The results support the hypothesis that in rabbits with enteric disease, viruses play an important but not decisive role, and that rotavirus does not determine disease occurrence. Lapine rotavirus is probably not endemic in rabbit production systems in the studied region, and may occur without inducing serious enteric episodes in individuals. However, in association with other pathogens, it may also be an important contributing factor in enteric outbreaks. This is one of the first reports of rotavirus in rabbits with enteric disease in Mexico.

Palabras llave : Mexico; Rotavirus; Rabbits; Diarrhea.