Viral diseases in swine cause a challenge to the swine industry by increasing cost of treatment and prevention and potentiating loss of stock quality through disease and/or death. These losses solely due to diarrheal diseases in young animals are estimated in the multi-million dollar range [1] . The most frequent viruses reported include: Coronavirus (i.e., Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus and Porcine Endemic Diarrhoea Virus), Circovirus Type 2, Rotavirus (RV), Swine Influenza Virus, and Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome Virus [2] .

Rotavirus is the main cause of viral gastroenteritis in young animals of many species worldwide, and has a raised profile due to its potential communicable nature between humans and animals [1] . Athough all ages of swine are susceptible, it is most commonly seen in young piglets with RV-associated enteritis causative of an estimated 20% morbidity and 15% mortality per annum [3] [4] . The virus affects the villus of the small intestine, causing a loss of absorption and osmotic irregularities (including osmotic diarrhea) which lead to malnutrition and malabsorption due to a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier [5] [6] . The Merck Veterinary Manual [7] suggests that nursing pigs often derive antibodies from their mother, with diarrhea occurring anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks of age or immediately post-weaning. Further, the weaned piglets often become emaciated, stunted, and suffer significant co-morbidities.

Rotavirus is a genus of the family Reoviridae and is a trilaminar viral particle with two double capsid layers surrounding the viral core [8] . There are seven groups (A to G) for rotaviruses based on antigenic specificity with A to C found in human and animal species and D to G only in animals [9] . Four antigenic groups found in swine include A, B, C, and E. There are various G types (i.e., glycoproteins) and P types (protease-sensitive) which tend to segregate according to species-specific patterns [1] . Because of the segmented nature of the RV genome, genetic re-assortment occurs at high frequency which may introduce new human-animal re-assortants, thus impacting on disease spread and vaccination creation [10] .

Rotaviruses, generally, and Group A RV, specifically, are causative for the majority of acute viral gastroenteritis in piglets. The most common Group A RV (GARV) is attributed as the pathogen responsible for 90% of RV gastroenteritis in children and livestock [11] [12] . Group A RV is the leading cause of acute viral diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age claiming nearly half a million children annually with more than half of these deaths in Africa [13] -[15] and a sub-Saharan incidence of more than 300 deaths per 100,000 [14] [16] . Rotavirus strains in Africa are diverse and unusual strains have been reported [17] [18] . Studies respecting the genetic constitution of RV strains in Africa have shown a prevalence of P[6] and G8 genotypes which originate in swine or cows, sheep and other ungulates, respectively [19] -[24] .

Rotavirus is environmentally ubiquitous [25] , showing a 64% prevalence in pig manure samples [26] and a high persistence in air, soil and water [27] . In one soil study, enterovirus and rotavirus gRNA were detected in 5% and 2.5% of samples, respectively [28] . Additionally, transmission of RV is by fecal-oral route mainly through fecal contaminated animal feeds, water and surfaces. Feces of an infected person or animal contains more than 10 trillion infectious particle per gram, whilst fewer than 100 particles are required in viral transmission [29] .

According to the 2012/2013 national statistics [30] , there are about 22.8 million cattle, 15.6 million goats, 7.0 million sheep and 2.01 million pigs in Tanzania. There has been a 300% increase of pig population since 1995, when the estimated population was 434,638 [31] . According to a 2009/2010 report [32] , Arusha has a population of 12,289 pigs. In Arusha urban and peri-urban, the rudimentary livestock practices generate close contact and interactions between humans and animals. Additionally, there are questionable conditions potentiating fecal contamination of drinking water due to the settlement schemes and household practices (such as boiling of drinking water).

European, Asian and North American countries have been practicing vaccination to control RV not only in children but also in at risk animals [33] . In Tanzania and East African countries RV animal vaccination is not practiced, but rather there is reliance on passive immunization [25] .

Given the global trends in GARV, specifically, and RV, generally, it is important to investigate the patterns within livestock in Tanzania. This study considered the prevalence of GARV in select Arusha peri-urban areas in conjunction with a study of human prevalence within the same areas. This co-terminus approach prompted consideration of potential cross-infection between humans and livestock. Due to the livestock practices related to swine (i.e., close quarters, large litters) and previous studies which suggested ubiquitous RV presence, it was decided to investigate prevalence of RV in a small sample in peri-urban sites of Arusha.

Samples were collected in July 2014 from three areas of Arusha peri urban; Lemara (n = 40), Moshono (n = 34) and Sokoni I (n = 36). Out of the 110 samples tested, 46 (41.8%) were positive for Rotavirus. The demographic description of the piglets’ sample group and Rotavirus status is shown in Table 1.

In considering contagiousness, we observed approximately 1/3^rd of piglets were located in environments where there were recent diarrheal cases. The study showed a significant association between a recent case of diarrhoea in the farm and Rotavirus status p < 0.05 (p = 0.038).

Although there was no significance in RV to gender (p = 0.19), the age of the source was significant (p = 0.013). From a descriptive level, we noted that the small sample of suckling piglets showed high RV prevalence. This finding requires further exploration and replication.

The study findings indicated a significance based on location (p = 0.0037). Again at the descriptive statistical level, we noted that one site had a greater than 50% incidence of RV in the sample. Again, this requires further exploration and replication.

Rotaviruses are detrimental pathogens in animals worldwide causing gastroenteritis that affects young animals of many species [38] [39] . In pigs, Rotavirus associated enteritis is a major problem in pre-weaning, weaning and post weaning piglets [40] . There have limited studies in Tanzania on prevalence in livestock species.

In this study, non-diarrheic piglets showed RV positive status 40.5% of cases (n = 32). This finding is consistent with previously reported asymptomatic shedding of RV by non-diarrheic pigs [41] , which poses risk of spreading the disease in the farm and, dependent upon strain, to those living within close contact (especially children).

The prevalence of GARVs, in this study, at 41.8% is comparable with previously reported studies [42] -[50] ranging from 17% to 67.3%. The high prevalence and significant variability justifies the need of a strategy to roll out a program for vaccinating pigs against RV and training extension workers on disease control programs in Tanzania.

Rotaviruses cannot replicate outside a host’s cell, but there is evidence they can persist in the environment and ground water for several months [51] - [54] . This persitance provides an opportunity for the viral particles to potentially be transmitted to naïve animals through contaminated water, surfaces, and feeds in a setting where pigs are enclosed in one area with improper hygiene and sanitation. A recent study showed that human bacteroidales, pathogenic E. coli, and rotavirus genes were detectable in soil samples, which highlights the need for attention on this potential transmission pathway in low income countries [55] . Our significant findings on recent diarrheal events and locational variance would align with these observations. It is recognized that there is a need to further study how the environment contributes to exposure routes for RV related diarrhoea in pig populations in Tanzania.

It is noted that the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network (AFR RSN) was established in 1998 as a regional partnership between African countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners [56] . This network has a critical role in tracking, creating awareness, and building skills in relation to RV disease across the continent. The role of this network should be further highlighted and set the research agenda for RV related diseases.

We refer the reader to a recent publication on RV infections in children from the same location (Gachanja et al., 2014) which calls for further studies to fully characterise the circulating RV genotypes across species in view of the public health implications.

This study has affirmed previous study findings of the prevalence of Group A Rotavirus within porcine populations in select peri-urban communities in northern Tanzania. These findings highlight the critical need to create awareness and programs (i.e., vaccination programs) for these populations for economic and social well-being.

This work was jointly financed by the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology students’ scholarship and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) through the Mama Kwanza Socio-economic Health Initiative, without any direct involvement of the funders in the project design or dissemination. We appreciate the farmers who took part in this study for their consent and cooperation. We are grateful to Dr. Joshua Amimo, Dr. Apollinare Djikeng and BecA ILRI hub for the training and assistance in designing our protocol. We acknowledge the support and cooperation of Dr. Mandike and Mr. Emmanuel Mbise from the Arusha Regional Livestock Department and the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency- Arusha (TVLA). We greatly appreciate the assistance and support of Dr. Haikael Martin in data organization and analysis.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Author A co-designed and conducted the research, managed the data, co-analyzed the data and drafted an early version of this paper. Author B co-designed and facilitated the research, reviewed all analysis of the data, as the co-supervisor of this project. Author C facilitated all aspects of the research, co-supervised this project, and re-drafted this paper. All authors reviewed the most recent version of the submission and approved.

ElizabethGachanja,JoramBuza,PammlaPetrucka,11, (2016) Prevalence of Group A Rotavirus in Piglets in a Peri-Urban Setting of Arusha, Tanzania. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,04,37-44. doi: 10.4236/jbm.2016.41005