Genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of rotavirus A strains in the southern Andean highlands, Peru

Abstract

Interspecies transmission is an important mechanism of evolution and contributes to rotavirus A (RVA) diversity. In order to evaluate the detection frequency, genetic diversity, epidemiological characteristics and zoonotic potential of RVA strains in faecal specimens from humans and animals cohabiting in the same environment in the department of Cusco, Peru, by molecular analysis, 265 faecal specimens were obtained from alpacas, llamas, sheep and shepherd children, and tested for RVA by RT‐PCR. Genotyping was performed by multiplex PCR and sequence analysis. Rotavirus A was detected in 20.3% of alpaca, 47.5% of llama, 100% of sheep and 33.3% of human samples. The most common genetic constellations were G3‐P[40]‐I8‐E3‐H6 in alpacas, G1/G3‐P[8]‐I1‐E1‐H1 in llamas, G1/G3/G35‐P[1]/P[8]‐I1‐E1‐H1 in sheep and G3‐P[40]‐I1/I8‐E3‐H1 in humans. The newly described genotypes P[40] and P[50] were identified in all host species, including humans. Genotyping showed that the majority of samples presented coinfection with two or more RVA strains. These data demonstrate the great genetic diversity of RVA in animals and humans in Cusco, Peru. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the strains represent zoonotic transmission among the species studied. Due to the characteristics of the human and animal populations in this study (cohabitation of different host species in conditions of poor sanitation and hygiene), the occurrence of zoonoses is a real possibility.

Phylogenetic Analyses of Rotavirus A from Cattle in Uruguay Reveal the Circulation of Common and Uncommon Genotypes and Suggest Interspecies Transmission

“…Two lineages showed a close relationship between Uruguayan bovine strains and human strains (from South America and Europe); these human strains were reported to be Artiodactyl-like and a product of interspecies transmission [ 10 , 47 , 50 ], as well as the goat strain of a third lineage [ 45 ], which is in accordance with our results. In the NSP2-5 and VP6 genes, we observed that the Uruguayan bovine strains clustered in some lineages with strains isolated from other host species (human, goat, guanaco, vicuna, roe deer, llama, and sheep), mainly from South America, that were proposed to be originated by interspecies transmission [ 12 , 45 , 47 , 51 ], again in accordance with our results. Another piece of evidence supporting this event was observed in the NSP4; all the RVA strains detected in South America were E12, independent of the host species where they were isolated (horse, cow, guanaco, human, goat), suggesting interspecies transmission and fixation of this genotype in South America [ 44 ].…”

“…In South America, it is common to raise different livestock species on the same farm in close contact with humans [ 45 ], which increases the possibility of interspecies transmission. Our results support that interspecies transmission is a common event in South America, including the possibility of zoonotic transmission [ 45 , 51 , 52 ].…”

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus and Picobirnavirus in Wild Avians from Amazon Forest

“…The samples of toucan (Ramphastus sp.) and cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) were grouped in a different clade, but showed high nucleotide homology (99% and 100%, respectively) to strains circulating in llamas [41]. This genotype is considered the most virulent, justifying the diarrheal condition evidenced by the animals grouped in the G3 genotype [40].…”

“…Therefore, it is the first report of the circulation of genotype P [2] in Brazil. Recently, Rojas et al [41] reported the unusual genotype P [2] circulating in llamas, alpacas and humans in Peru, thus revealing the zoonotic potential associated with the circulation of genotypes G1 and G3 in these animals. The findings suggest the close interaction of humans and wild animals that can result in the breaking of the barrier between species, resulting in the adaptation of RV to new hosts.…”

Intragenic Recombination Influences Rotavirus Diversity and Evolution

“…Similarly high frequencies of G and P mixed genotype infections were observed in children 416 sampled in India (three studies showing multiple G types in 11.3 %, 12% and 21% of samples) (Husain, Seth et 417 al. 1996, Jain, Das et al 2001, Khetawat, Dutta et al 2002, Spain (>11.4% of samples) (Sánchez-Fauquier, 418 Montero et al 2006), Kenya (5.9%) (Kiulia, Peenze et al 2006), Africa (12%) (Mwenda, Ntoto et al 2010), and 419 Mexico (5.6% in 2010Mexico (5.6% in , 33.5% in 2012 (Rojas, Dias et al 2019). In another study, whole genome deep sequencing revealed that 15/61 (25%) 423 samples obtained in Kenya contained multiple rotavirus genotypes (Mwanga, Nyaigoti et al 2018).…”