Rat Coronavirus/Sialodacryoadenitis virus (RCA/SDA) is a single stranded RNA virus of the family Coronaviridae, genus Coronavirus. It is a very common virus in laboratory rats and is extremely contagious. Spreading can occur easily through direct contact or aerosols. Infection lasts for about a week and will continue in a colony until all rats develop immunity. Naïve rats are more susceptible to develop infection of the respiratory tract and inflammation and necrosis of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Infection of RCA/SDA can increase host susceptibility to other pathogens, or complicate studies involving the eyes, salivary glands, lacrimal glands, respiratory tract or immune system.

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