Rotavirus group C infections in neonatal and grower pigs in Australia

Abstract Background: Rotavirus infections of neonatal and older pigs are widely reported. Analysis of rotavirus group C prevalence and diversity has not previously been reported for Australian pig farms. Methods: Twenty‐seven farms with or without diarrhoea present among neonatal or older pigs were enrolled across eastern Australia. Fresh faecal samples were analysed by ELISA for rotavirus and RNA extractions by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and RT‐PCR for rotavirus. Rotavirus group C samples were genotyped via sequencing. Results and conclusions: Rotavirus infection was diagnosed in pigs on 10 of 19 farms investigated for neonatal diarrhoea, four with group A and six with group C; also among post‐weaned (5‐ to 11‐week‐old) diarrhoeic pigs on two farms. Neonatal rotavirus group C infections were exclusively noted in piglets less than 1‐week‐old, consisting of farm infections with a single VP7 genotype (G5 or G6). Infections in post‐weaned pigs were associated with multiple VP7 genotypes (G1, G3). This first report of rotavirus group C infections of Australian pigs suggests they may form a limited population of VP7 genotypes.