| Title | Genomic characterization of a novel group A lamb rotavirus isolated in Zaragoza, Spain. | ||
| Author | Ciarlet, Max; Hoffmann, Christian; Lorusso, Eleonora; Baselga, Rafael; Cafiero, Maria Assunta; Banyai, Krisztian; Matthijnssens, Jelle; Parreno, Viviana; de Grazia, Simona; Buonavoglia, Canio; Martella, Vito | ||
| Journal | Virus Genes | Publication Year/Month | 2008-Oct |
| PMID | 18661221 | PMCID | -N/A- |
| Affiliation | 1.Vaccine & Biologics-Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Mailstop UG3CD-28, P.O. Box 1000, North Wales, PA 19454-1099, USA. max_ciarlet@merck.com. | ||
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.