A PCR-typing method has been developed to identify equine group A rotavirus (EqRV) VP7 serotypes G3, G13 and G14. In the identification of 20 EqRV field strains, the results of the PCR-typing showed complete agreement with results by virus neutralizing tests. A total of 65 EqRV field strains isolated from diarrheal foals in Hokkaido, Japan, during 1996 and 1997 were characterized for their VP7 serotypes by PCR-typing. Twenty-five strains (86%) were classified as belonging to G3 and the remaining 4 strains were G14 in 1996, and 17 strains (47%) were G3 and the remaining 19 strains (53%) were G14 in 1997. Sixty fecal samples from which EqRV were isolated in MA104 cells were used for PCR-typing directly. Fifty-six of them could be serotyped, and these results agreed completely with those with the isolated viruses. These results confirm that PCR-typing is useful for VP7 serotyping of EqRV from isolates and feces. (Lab. of Environmental Hygiene, Department of Systematic Diagnosis TEL +81-176-62-5115)
