Detection and control of rotavirus infections in zoo animals

Fecal specimens from 15 exotic animal species, with and without diarrhea, were examined for the presence of rotavirus, bacterial enteropathogens, and intestinal parasites. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect antigens of rotavirus. Rotavirus was detected in the feces of 20 (57%) of 35 of the animals, which included addax (Addax nasomaculatus), nyala (Tragelaphus angasi), saiga (Saiga tatarica), white-tailed gnu (Connochaetus gnou), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei), Grant's gazelle (Gazella granti roosevelti), sable antelope (Hippotragus niger niger), kob (Kobus kob leucotis), pygmy marmoset (Callithrix pygmaea), bush dog (Speothos venaticus), grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), and red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa). Bacterial pathogens were found in 8 animals, 5 of which had concurrent rotavirus infections. Most (60%) of the animals with rotavirus infection were less than 2 weeks old; however, rotavirus also was detected in feces from adult animals. Although most of the cases of rotavirus infection were detected in nursery-reared animals, exhibit-reared animals also were infected with rotavirus.