Identification of a G2-like porcine rotavirus bearing a novel VP4 type, P[32]

A porcine group A rotavirus (GARV) strain, 61/07/Ire, was isolated from a 4–5 week asymptomatic piglet, during an epidemiological survey of porcine herds in Southern Ireland, in 2007. The nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence of the full-length VP4 protein of the PoRV strain 61/07/Ire was determined. Based on the entire VP4 open reading frame (nt), strain 61/07/Ire displayed ≤ 76.5% identity to representatives of the established 31 P-types, a value far lower than the percentage identity cutoff value (80%) established by the Rotavirus Classification Working Group (RCWG) to define a novel P genotype. Strain 61/07/Ire revealed low aa identity, ranging from 57.1% to 83.6%, to the cognate sequences of representatives of the various P genotypes. The aa identity was lower in the VP8* trypsin-cleavage fragment of the VP4, which encompasses the VP4 hypervariable region, ranging from 36.9% to 75.3%. Sequence analyses of the VP7, VP6, and NSP4 genes revealed that the GARV strain 61/07/Ire possessed a G2-like VP7, an E9 NSP4 genotype and an I5 VP6 genotype. Altogether, these results indicate that the GARV strain 61/07/Ire should be considered as a prototype of a new VP4 genotype, P[32], and provide further evidence for the vast heterogeneity of group A rotaviruses.     

An experimental study of Bungowannah virus infection in weaner aged pigs

Animal-to-human interspecies transmission is one of the evolutionary mechanisms driving rotavirus strain diversity in humans. Although quite a few studies emanating from Africa revealed evidence of bovine-to-human rotavirus interspecies transmission, whole genome data of African bovine rotavirus strains are not yet available. To gain insight into the complete genome constellation of African bovine rotaviruses, the full genomes of three bovine rotavirus strains were extracted from stool samples collected from calves, amplified using a sequence-independent procedure, followed by 454(?) pyrosequencing. Strains RVA/Cow-wt/ZAF/1603/2007/G6P[5] and RVA/Cow-wt/ZAF/1605/2007/G6P[5] were both genotyped as G6-P[5]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3 and were probably two variants of the same rotavirus due to their close nucleotide sequence similarity. The genotype constellation of strain RVA/Cow-wt/ZAF/1604/2007/G8P[1] was G8-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3. The genetic relationships and phylogenetic analyses suggested that these three bovine rotavirus strains may have emerged through multiple reassortment events between bovine, giraffe and antelope rotaviruses. Due to the close relatedness of genome segments 1 (encoding VP1), 7 (NSP2), 9 (VP7) and 10 (NSP4) of strain RVA/Cow-wt/ZAF/1604/2007/G8P[1] to those of the corresponding segments of human rotaviruses, RVA strain 1604 may represent bovine strains that were transmitted to humans and possibly reassorted with human rotaviruses previously. The complete nucleotide sequences of the bovine rotavirus strains reported in this study represent the first whole genome data of bovine rotaviruses from Africa.     

Molecular characterisation of equine group A rotavirus, Nasuno, isolated in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

In this study, equine group A rotavirus (RV-A), Nasuno, isolated from foal diarrhoea in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan was characterised genetically by sequence analysis of the genome segments encoding VP4 and VP7. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences revealed high homology with P[12] RV-As (94.0-99.3% and 94.9-99.4%) and G3 RV-As (86.9-99.5% and 91.1-99.4%). Nasuno was also classified into P[12] and G3 in the phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the genome segments encoding VP4 and VP7.     

新型鸭肝炎病毒分离株JFX08全基因组测定与分析

对我国鸭病毒性肝炎病毒(Duck hepatitis virus,DHV)分离株JFX08的全基因组进行了序列测定与分析。结果表明,JFX08毒株的基因组全长为7793nt,包括652nt的5’UTR,6753nt的ORF,366nt的3’UTR以及19nt的poly(A)尾巴。JFX08毒株的ORF编码2251个氨基酸,各基因均与韩国新型毒株的氨基酸序列相似性最高,与1型DHV和台湾新型DHV的序列相似性均较低。其中VP1较1型DHV存在2个氨基酸的插入和较多氨基酸位点的突变,高变区主要集中在180～194位和213～219位。JFX08毒株的非编码区核苷酸序列之间存在大量碱基突变和插入/缺失。多聚蛋白、VP0、VP3、VP1、2C和3D基因进化分析结果均表明,JFX08分离株与韩国新型DHV的遗传距离最近,属基因C型。     

Genetic and serological characterization of novel serotype G8 bovine group A rotavirus strains isolated in Japan

G8 bovine group A rotaviruses isolated in Japan were genetically and serologically characterized. The VP7 gene nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed high identity with each other. All Japanese G8 strains were classified into the same lineage in the phylogenetic analysis based on VP7 gene sequences. Antisera to four Japanese G8 strains neutralized other G8 strains, but their neutralizing titers were between 8-fold lower and 2-fold higher than homologous strains. These results suggest that the VP7s of Japanese G8 strains have similar genetic and serologic characteristics. Observed differences in the neutralizing abilities of antisera for each strain appear to depend on differences in the P serotypes/genotypes.     

Full-length genome analysis of G2, G9 and G11 porcine group A rotaviruses

Group A rotaviruses with G2 and G9 VP7 specificity are common in humans, while G11 strains have been detected only sporadically. G2, G9 and G11 rotaviruses also circulate in pigs and swine rotaviruses have been suspected of interspecies and zoonotic transmissions in numerous studies. However, the complete gene constellation of G2 and G9 porcine rotaviruses has not yet been determined. In order to start filling this gap, the genomic make up of two G2, one G9 and one G11 porcine rotavirus strains, detected in Canada in 2005–2007, was determined. With the exception of a G2P[34] strain, with E9 NSP4 type and mixed I5 + I14 VP6 type, the constellation of genomic segments was rather conserved and were closely related to prototype porcine strains in the four viruses characterized (I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1). Most notably, all the viruses displayed a rare NSP3 genotype, T7, which has also been identified in rare human reassortant strains and in the reference strain RVA/Cow-tc/GBR/UK/1973/G6P[5]. This study provides crucial genetic data on these complex viruses and will help understand the origin and ecological niche of gene segments and the role played by pigs in their evolution.     

Detection and genetic characterization of porcine group A rotaviruses in asymptomatic pigs in smallholder farms in East Africa: Predominance of P[8] genotype resembling human strains

Viral enteritis is a serious problem accounting for deaths in neonatal animals and humans worldwide. The absence of surveillance programs and diagnostic laboratory facilities have resulted in a lack of data on rotavirus associated diarrheas in pigs in East Africa. Here we describe the incidence of group A rotavirus (RVA) infections in asymptomatic young pigs in East Africa. Of the 446 samples examined, 26.2% (117/446) were positive for RVA. More nursing piglets (78.7%) shed RVA than weaned (32.9%) and grower (5.8%) pigs. RVA incidence was higher in pigs that were either housed_free-range (77.8%) or tethered_free-range (29.0%) than those that were free-range or housed or housed-tethered pigs. The farms with larger herd size (>10 pigs) had higher RVA prevalence (56.5%) than farms with smaller herd size (24.1–29.7%). This study revealed that age, management system and pig density significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the incidence of RVA infections, with housed_free-range management system and larger herd size showing higher risks for RVA infection. Partial (811–1604 nt region) sequence of the VP4 gene of selected positive samples revealed that different genotypes (P[6], P[8] and P[13]) are circulating in the study area with P[8] being predominant. The P[6] strain shared nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequence identity of 84.4–91.3% and 95.1–96.9%, respectively, with known porcine and human P[6] strains. The P[8] strains shared high nt and aa sequence identity with known human P[8] strains ranging from 95.6–100% to 92–100%, respectively. The P[13] strains shared nt and aa sequence identity of 83.6–91.7% and 89.3–96.4%, respectively, only with known porcine P[13] strains. No P[8] strains yielded RNA of sufficient quality/quantity for full genome sequencing. However analysis of the full genome constellation of the P[6], two P[13] and one untypeable strains revealed that the P[6] strain (Ke-003-5) genome constellation was G26-P[6]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1, P[13] strains (Ug-049 and Ug-453) had G5-P[13]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1 while the untypeable strain (Ug-218) had G5-P[?]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H? In conclusion, P[6] and P[8] genotypes detected were genetically closely related to human strains suggesting the possibility of interspecies transmission. Further studies are required to determine the role of RVA in swine enteric disease burden and to determine the genetic/antigenic heterogeneity of the circulating strains for development of accurate diagnostic tools and to implement appropriate prophylaxis programs.     

兔出血症病毒JL株分离鉴定及VP60基因主要抗原表位分析

采用血凝试验、电镜观察、RT－PCR方法分离鉴定了1株JL株兔出血症病毒（RHDV），扩增衣壳蛋白VP60基因，将扩增片段克隆到pMDl8－T载体上，经酶切鉴定后测序。结果显示，VP60基因全长1740bp，编码580个氨基酸；JL株与其他RHDV分离株比较，核苷酸同源性为93．7％－99．2％，氨基酸同源性在97．3％－99．5％，在VP606个区中，A、B、D、F是稳定区，氨基酸变异多发生在衣壳蛋白C、E区，表明毒株具有高度保守性；将JL株与国内外标准株蛋白氨基酸变畀及其亲水性、柔性区、抗原区和表面结构进行比较分析，预测RHDV VP60细胞表位。     

Genetic diversity and novel combinations of G4P[19] and G9P[19] porcine rotavirus strains in Thailand

Several epidemiological studies reported the detection of rotavirus strains bearing unusual combinations of genetic background of human and porcine rotaviruses. This observation supports the hypothesis of interspecies transmission of rotaviruses in humans and pigs. The aims of this study were to investigate the genotypes and molecular characteristics of rotaviruses in piglets with diarrhea in several farms from two provinces in Thailand. A total of 207 fecal specimens collected from diarrheic piglets were screened for the presence of groups A, B, and C rotaviruses. Group A rotaviruses were detected in 41 out of 207 (19.8%) fecal specimens tested. A wide variety of G-P combination rotavirus strains were detected in this study. The G4P[6] was identified as the most prevalent genotype (39.0%), followed by G4P[23] (12.2%), G3P[23] (7.3%), G4P[19] (7.3%), G3P[6] (4.9%), G3P[13] (4.9%), G3P[19] (4.9%), G9P[13] (4.9%), G9P[19] (4.9%), G5P[6], and G5P[13] each of 2.4%. Furthermore, G5 and G9 in combinations with P-nontypeable strains were also found at each consisting of 2.4% (n = 1) of the collection. It was interesting to note that among diversified porcine rotavirus strains, novel combinations of G4P[19] and G9P[19] strains were detected for the first time in this study. Nucleotide sequences of VP4 and VP7 of these strains were closely related to human rotaviruses reported previously. The data implies that these porcine rotaviruses were probably generated in nature from the reassortment between the viruses of human and porcine origin. This study provides valuable epidemiological information and molecular characteristics of porcine rotaviruses circulating in piglets with diarrhea in northern Thailand.     

Molecular characterization of equine rotaviruses circulating in Argentinean foals during a 17-year surveillance period (1992-2008)

P[12]G3 and P[12]G14 equine rotaviruses (ERVs) are epidemiologically important in horses. In Argentina, the prevalent ERV strains have been historically P[12]G3. The aim of this study was the detection and characterization of ERV strains circulating in foals in Argentina during a 17-year study (1992-2008). Additionally, the gene sequences of VP7, VP4 and NSP4 encoding genes of representative Argentinean ERV strains were determined and phylogenetic analyses were performed to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the ERV strains in Argentina. ERVs were detected in 165 (21%) out of 771 diarrheic stool samples, which corresponded to 45 (39%) of 116 outbreaks from the surveyed thoroughbred horse farms. From the positive cases, 51% (n=23) were G3, 33% (n=15) were G14, 4% (n=2) represented a G3+G14 mixed infection and 11% (n=5) of the cases could not be characterized. G3 ERV was detected during the entire period, while G14 ERV was first detected in 2000 and increased its incidence specially in 2006 and 2007. All the analyzed strains belonged to the VP4 P[12] genotype, except for one G3 case which belonged to the P[3] genotype, constituting the first report of a P[3]G3 ERV strain. Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 protein revealed that the G3 Argentinean ERV strains clustered with ERVs from Ireland, while the G14 Argentinean ERV strains formed a distinct cluster within the G14 genotype. The VP4 of the P[12] ERV strains clustered with P[12] strains from Ireland and France. The NSP4 of the Argentinean ERV strains clustered with the NSP4 genotype E12, along with those of guanaco and bovine strains from Argentina, suggesting the a close evolutionary relationship among these Argentinean strains. The results of this study showed changes in the incidence of G3 and G14 during the studied period. The increase in the frequency of G14 ERV, not included in the vaccine, in the second half of the period, may have implications for vaccine design.     

猪轮状病毒L1株VP7基因克隆及序列分析

根据GenBank已发表的猪轮状病毒VP7基因保守序列,设计特异性引物扩增猪轮状病毒L1株VP 7全基因序列并进行序列测定及分析。结果显示, L1株猪轮状病毒VP 7基因全长为1062 bp,包含一个982 bp的开放阅读框,编码326个氨基酸,与G5型参考毒株核苷酸同源性和推导的氨基酸同源性分别为88．8％～93．7％和93．3％～94．2％,系统进化树分析结果亦显示L1株与G5型参考毒株处于同一个群,由此确定L1株为G5型。与我国近几年流行的G9型毒株NMTL进行抗原表位分析结果显示,两个毒株在 aa25～aa29、aa86～aa102、aa142～aa152、aa211～aa226、aa263～aa286等区域存在明显差异,可能对其免疫保护性存在一定的影响。     

Determination of the Complete Genome of DHAV GX Strain and Bioinformatics Analysis of VP1 Protein

In order to investigate the genotypic characteristics and biological characteristics of major capsid protein (VP1) of duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV) GX strain, the whole genome of GX strain was sequenced and compared with 3 serotypes reference strains of DHAV by the molecular biology software.The results showed that the full-length genome of DHAV GX strain was 7 800 bp, including 5'UTR (652 bp), 3'UTR (369 bp) and ORF (6 756 bp) encoding 2 251 aa and its coding products were 12 (VP0/VP3/VP1/2A1/2A2/2A3/2B/2C/3A/3B/3C/3D) at least.Sequence analysis showed that DHAV GX strain could be ranked DHAV 3 style.This strain shared the highest homology with DHAV-3 reference strains; Furthermore, GX strain and DHAV-3 FS strain were in the same cluster, might come from the same ancestor.Amino acid segments locating in 195 to 201 and 211 to 221 aa could be larvaceous dominant B-cell linear epitopes.It suggested that VP1 gene could be used as a candidate gene for the development of genetic engineering vaccine of DHAV.     

鸭甲肝病毒GX株全基因组序列测定及VP1蛋白生物信息学分析

为探讨鸭甲肝病毒(DHAV)GX株基因分型特点及主要衣壳蛋白(VP1)的生物学特性,本试验对其进行全基因组序列测定,并应用分子生物学软件将DHAV GX株与DHAV 3个血清型参考毒株进行序列比对分析。结果显示,其基因组全长7 800 bp,由5'和3'非编码区(UTR)和一个大开放阅读框(ORF)组成。其中,5'UTR和3'UTR的长度分别为652和369 bp;ORF长度为6 756 bp,编码2 251个氨基酸长的多聚蛋白,其编码产物至少有12个(VP0/VP3/VP1/2A1/2A2/2A3/2B/2C/3A/3B/3C/3D);在分类地位上DHAV GX株属于DHAV-3,其与DHAV-3参考株核苷酸、氨基酸同源性最高;与DHAV-3 FS株亲缘关系最近,在同一较小分支上。DHAV GX株结构蛋白VP1以第195—201、211—221位氨基酸区段为B细胞优势表位的可能性较大。提示,VP1基因可作为研制DHAV基因工程疫苗的优势候选基因。     

Reassortment among bovine, porcine and human rotavirus strains results in G8P[7] and G6P[7] strains isolated from cattle in South Korea

Group A rotaviruses (GARVs) cause severe acute gastroenteritis in children and young animals. Although zoonotic infections with bovine-like G6 and G8 GARVs have been reported in many countries, there is little evidence for reassortment between bovine GARVs and GARVs from heterologous species. The finding of bovine GARVs with the G6 and G8 genotypes in combination with the typical porcine P[7] prompted us to characterize all 11 genes of 30 bovine GARVs isolated from clinically infected calves. By the comparison of the full-length ORF of VP7 and NSP1-5, and the partial VP1-4 and VP6 nucleotide sequences between the 30 Korean and other known strains, three different genome constellations were found. Twenty seven strains showed the G8-P[7]-I5-R1-C1-M2-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1 genotypes, a single strain possessed the G6-P[7]-I2-R2-C1-M2-A1-N2-T1-E2-H1 genotype constellation and 2 strains the G6-P[7]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3 genotype constellation. The complete genome of a single reference strains for each of these three genotype constellations (KJ25, KJ9-1 and KJ19-2) was determined and analyzed. A detailed phylogenetic analysis revealed a complicated picture, with several reassortments among bovine-like, porcine-like and human-like GARV strains, resulting in several different reassortant strains successfully infecting cattle.     

Detection and analysis of bovine rotavirus strains circulating in Australian calves during 2004 and 2005

Bovine rotavirus (BRV) has been detected in both dairy and beef cattle herds worldwide. Stool samples collected from calves in the Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia were screened to determine the presence of BRV. A total of 100 faecal samples were collected from calves with and without diarrhoea across three farms during 2004 and 2005. Group A BRV was detected in 26% of faecal samples (22 from diarrheic calves and four from asymptomatic calves). Genotyping analysis of rotavirus positive samples indicated that G6P[5] was the most prevalent genotype (38.5%) followed by G6P[5 + 11] (15.4%). G10P[11] and G6 + G10P[5] were each detected at a rate of 7.7%, and G6 + G10P[11] was found in a single sample (3.8%). Seven samples (26.9%) could not be G and/or P typed. Thirty percent of the BRV positive samples were mixed infections, indicating that individual calves were co-infected with more than one strain of rotavirus. The G6P[5] strains exhibited high VP7 identity (>97% amino acid identity) with B-60, a G6 strain identified in Victorian calves during 1988. A G10P[11] isolate was closely related (>97% amino acid identity in VP7 and VP4 proteins) to a Victorian G10P[11] strain (B-11) also identified during 1988. This study demonstrates that BRV is a contributing pathogen to diarrhoeal disease in Victorian calves, with sequence analysis suggesting long-term conservation of the VP7 protein over a 16-year period.     

减蛋综合征病毒33K蛋白基因克隆及结构分析

纯化的减蛋综合征病毒（ＥＤＳＶ）ＤＮＡ经ＨｉｎｄⅢ水解、０．８％琼脂糖电泳后,回收各ＤＮＡ条带并克隆至ｐＢｌｕｅｓｃｒｉｐｔＫＳ载体,建立了ＥＤＳＶ基因文库,对３３Ｋ蛋白基因进行了分析。本研究证实,ＥＤＳＶ３３Ｋ蛋白基因含有２个外显子,与羊腺病毒（ＯＡＶ）３３Ｋ蛋白比较,Ｎ端编码产物的同源性为３０．８％,Ｃ端的为６０％。用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ扩增３３ＫｍＲＮＡ和ｃＤＮＡ克隆及序列分析证实,ＥＤＳＶ３３Ｋ蛋白含有８２碱基（ｎｔ）的内含子,去掉内含子３３Ｋ蛋白基因能形成完整的ＯＲＦ,其编码产物由１７７氨基酸（ａａ）组成,推测分子质量为２．０６×１０４,与人５型腺病毒和ＯＡＶ的同源性分别为２８．１％和４４．７％。     

Different virulence of porcine and porcine-like bovine rotavirus strains with genetically nearly identical genomes in piglets and calves

Direct interspecies transmissions of group A rotaviruses (RVA) have been reported under natural conditions. However, the pathogenicity of RVA has never been directly compared in homologous and heterologous hosts. The bovine RVA/Cow-tc/KOR/K5/2004/G5P[7] strain, which was shown to possess a typical porcine-like genotype constellation similar to that of the G5P[7] prototype RVA/Pig-tc/USA/OSU/1977/G5P9[7] strain, was examined for its pathogenicity and compared with the porcine G5P[7] RVA/Pig-tc/KOR/K71/2006/G5P[7] strain possessing the same genotype constellation. The bovine K5 strain induced diarrhea and histopathological changes in the small intestine of piglets and calves, whereas the porcine K71 strain caused diarrhea and histopathological changes in the small intestine of piglets, but not in calves. Furthermore, the bovine K5 strain showed extra-intestinal tropisms in both piglets and calves, whereas the porcine K71 strain had extra-intestinal tropisms in piglets, but not in calves. Therefore, we performed comparative genomic analysis of the K71 and K5 RVA strains to determine whether specific mutations could be associated with these distinct clinical and pathological phenotypes. Full-length sequencing analyses for the 11 genomic segments for K71 and K5 revealed that these strains were genetically nearly identical to each other. Two nucleotide mutations were found in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of NSP5 and the 3′ UTR of NSP3, and eight amino acid mutations in VP1-VP4 and NSP2. Some of these mutations may be critical molecular determinants for RVA virulence and/or pathogenicity.     

Genomic characteristics of a novel reovirus from Muscovy duckling in China

A new reovirus was isolated from a sick Muscovy duckling with hemorrhagic-necrotic lesions in the liver in Zhejiang, China in 2000 and was tentatively denoted a new type of Muscovy duck reovirus (N-MDRV ZJ00M). This reovirus was propagated in a chicken fibroblast cell line (DF-1) with obvious cytopathic effects. The reovirus's genome was 23,419 bp in length with an approximately 50% G+C content and 10 dsRNA segments encoding 12 proteins. The length of the genomic segments was similar to those of avian reoviruses (ARVs), which range from 3959 nt (L1) to 1191 nt (S4) in size. All of the segments have the conserved terminal sequences 5′-GCUUUUU…UUCAUC-3′, and all of the genome segments, with the exception of S1, apparently encoded one single primary translation product. The genome analysis revealed that the S1 segment of N-MDRV is a tricistronic gene that encodes the overlapping ORFs for p10, p18, and σC. This finding is similar to that found for ARVs but distinct from that found for classical MDRV and GRV, which have a bicistronic S4 segment that encodes p10 and σC and do not encode p18. The amino acid (aa) alignments of the putative proteins encoded by the main ORF in each segment revealed a high similarity (14.1–100%) to the counterpart proteins encoded by other ARV species from the avian orthoreoviruses (e.g., ARV, classical MDRV and N-MDRV) in the Orthoreovirus genus, particularly with N-MDRV (94.6–100%). The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of all 10 genome segments revealed that N-MDRV ZJ00M is distinct from all other described reovirus species groups but is a separated from the ARV (including MDRV and GRV) species within orthoreovirus species group II and grouped into the classical MDRV and GRV genogroup with the N-MDRV isolates. The MDRV genogroup can be further divided into two genotype clusters. The morphological and pathological analyses and the genetic characterization of N-MDRV ZJ00M suggest that it belongs to genotype 2 (N-MDRV). In addition, the RT-PCR assays of DRV diseased duckling and gosling samples collected from different regions of China during 2000–2013 indicate that N-MDRV is currently the prevalent genotype in China.