Characterization of canine rotavirus RS 15 strain and comparison with other rotaviruses.

Abstract
Rotavirus RS 15 strain isolated from canine diarrheal feces was investigated to reveal its properties and relationship with other rotavirus, (human Wa, bovine Shimane and porcine S80 strains). With the aid of trypsin RS 15 strain grew in cell lines of MA 104 and MDCK cells and the virus was reisolated from the same fecal samples in both cell cultures. The other 3 strains also grew well in MA 104 cell culture, but only Wa strain showed positive growth in MDCK cell culture. Strain RS 15 specifically agglutinated erythrocytes from various animal species. The genomic patterns of RS 15 strain revealed a typical electropherotype of the genus Rotavirus. Strain RS 15 was identical with Wa and Shimane strain but not with S80 strain when determined by complement-fixed test. A partial cross antigenicity was observed between RS 15 and Wa strains; however, they were distinct from Shimane or S80 strains by plaque reduction neutralization test.