Rotaviruses A and C in dairy cattle in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Stool samples were collected from calves from nine family-based small dairy farms in the state of Rio de Janeiro, for detection and characterization of rotavirus (RV) species A, B, and C (RVA, RVB, and RVC, respectively) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-six samples (27.7%) were positive for at least one of the species: 22 (23.4%) samples were positive only for RVA, 3 (3.2%) were positive for RVC, and one sample (1.1%) had co-infection of RVA and RVC. RVB was not detected. Seven (21.9%; n = 32) animals with diarrhea and 19 (30.1% n = 62) asymptomatic animals were positive, with no significant difference in positivity (p = 0.3677). RV was detected in all properties studied, at rates between 14.3 and 80%, demonstrating the widespread circulation of RV in four of the seven geographic regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Infection was more prevalent among animals ≤ 6 months of age. Sequence analysis of a portion of the RVA VP6-encoding gene identified the I2 genotype. RVC was also detected; to our knowledge, this is the first description of this agent in cattle in Brazil. The data presented here should add knowledge regarding the importance and prevalence of RV in our national territory, and may facilitate the planning and implementation of control and prevention measures for bovine rotavirus infections in Brazil.