Genomic characterization of a novel group A lamb rotavirus isolated in Zaragoza, Spain

Abstract

An ovine rotavirus (OVR) strain, 762, was isolated from a 30-day-old lamb affected with severe gastroenteritis, in Zaragoza, Spain, and the VP4, VP7, VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/NSP6 genes were subsequently characterized molecularly. Strain OVR762 was classified as a P[14] rotavirus, as the VP4 and VP8* trypsin-cleavage product of the VP4 protein revealed the highest amino acid (aa) identity (94% and 97%, respectively) with that of the P11[14] human rotavirus (HRV) strain PA169, isolated in Italy. Analysis of the VP7 gene product revealed that OVR762 possessed G8 serotype specificity, a type common in ruminants, with the highest degree of aa identity (95-98%) shared with serotype G8 HRV, bovine rotavirus, and guanaco (Lama guanicoe) rotavirus strains. Moreover, strain OVR762 displayed a bovine-like NSP4 (genotype E2) and NSP5/NSP6 (genotype H3), and a VP6 genotype I2, as well as a long electropherotype pattern. This is the first report of a lamb rotavirus with P[14] and G8 specificities, providing additional evidence for the wide genetic and antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.

Are Human P[14] Rotavirus Strains the Result of Interspecies Transmissions from Sheep or Other Ungulates That Belong to the Mammalian Order Artiodactyla ?

“…Several human G6P [14] strains (MG6, MG6.01, aG6.01, and ASG6.02) were isolated in south and central Australia between 1993 and 1997 (9,11,36), and one G6P [14] isolate (Hun5) was identified in Hungary in 1997 (4). The VP4 proteins of the human G6P [14] strains are more closely related to those of strains isolated from sheep (OVR762), goats (Cap455), cattle (Sun9, RUBV81), and guanacos (Arg/Chubut/99), all even-toed ungulates belonging to representative species of the order Artiodactyla, than to those from rabbits (ALA, C-11, BAP-2, and 30/96) (8,15,38).…”

“…G1, G3, G4, and G9 (associated with P [8]) and G2 (associated with P [4]) are the epidemiologically most important human rotavirus genotypes worldwide (47). G12 might be the next important emerging strain, as it has been identified in sporadic cases and outbreaks in countries around the world (3, [6] in Africa or, more specifically, G8P [6] in Malawi and G5P [8] in Brazil, are regionally prevalent (1,10,29,47).…”

“…G12 might be the next important emerging strain, as it has been identified in sporadic cases and outbreaks in countries around the world (3, [6] in Africa or, more specifically, G8P [6] in Malawi and G5P [8] in Brazil, are regionally prevalent (1,10,29,47). Additional G types (G6, G8, G10, and G11) and P types ( [1], [3], [9], [10], [11], [14], [19], and [25]) have also been detected sporadically in humans (29,47).…”

“…The P [14] genotype is commonly found in rabbits (7), but it has also been described in goats, antelope, cattle (15,20), sheep (8), and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) (38). The G6 genotype is the most frequently detected G type in cattle, followed by G10, G8, and G15 (29).…”

Identification of a G8P[14] Rotavirus Isolate Obtained from a Taiwanese Child: Evidence for a Relationship with Bovine Rotaviruses

“…The genetic analysis of 04-97s379 showed that it is divergent from other reported human isolates that carry the same G and P antigen types (e.g., isolates from Finland, Italy, Australia, Hungary, or Egypt) (6-9) and also that it differs from animal G8P[14] strains identified in Japan, India (bovine), Spain (ovine), or Argentina (guanaco) (7,(10)(11)(12). Although the Taiwanese human G8P[14] strain was found to be somewhat similar to the Indian bovine G8P[14] strains when comparing the respective VP7 and VP6 genes, the VP4 and NSP4 genes were clearly divergent (11).…”