First Report of Equine Rotavirus Infection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Rotavirus is the main cause of diarrhea in equines. Young foals at 6 month of age are mainly affected. The present study was carried out in KPK districts Peshawar, Charsada and Mardan. In this study total 600 animals were selected to observe the prevalence of positive percentage in equines in three districts. Fecal sample were collected from affected equines preserved in formalin and send to laboratory. Blood samples also collected for hematological examination and serum chemistry. For presence of rotavirus foal suffering from diarrhea were screened and examined by using commercially available ELISA kit. The results show that the rotavirus prevalence was 11.5% in district Peshawar, 14% in district Charsada and 18% in District Mardan. The rotavirus prevalence was 17.11% in female and 12.46% in males. The rotavirus prevalence was 16.32% in donkey foals 12.06% in horse foals. Hematological values and serological values of diarrheic foal are also observed in from 1^st Month to 6^th Month of age group. The results shows that hematological values like RBCs, PCV and Neutrophil values are increased from1^st Month to 6^th Month of age group of diarrheic foal and Hemoglobin, Lymphocytes, Basophil and Monocytes values are decreased in age group from 1^stMonth to 6^th month of age. WBCs and Eosinophil values remain normal in all age groups. Whereas the serological values, serum enzymes level and serum electrolyte level of the diarrheic foals were observed. The results shows that Creatinine, Bilirubin, Albumin, Urea Nitrogen, ALT, AST, GGT and Calcium ion values increased whereas Glucose, ALP, Sodium, Potassium and Chloride values decreased in age group of 1^st Month to 6^th Month. The present study is helpful to diagnose the cause of diarrhea in equines and helpful to treat the diarrheic foal.It is also helpful to observe the hematological, serum chemistry and serum electrolytes values in diarrheic foals.