Molecular identification of a novel human rotavirus in relation to subgroup and electropherotype of genomic RNA

A total of 41 stool rotavirus specimens collected from children with acute diarrhea at four different locations in Akita Prefecture, Japan, during the peak of the winter diarrhea epidemic in 1988 were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of viral RNA in conjunction with subgrouping assay. We found that a single strain predominated, with cocirculating strains with less common electropherotypes at a given location, and that two different strains could predominate at geographically close but different locations even during a very limited time of the epidemic season. Furthermore, we isolated a human rotavirus strain (AU125) that was similar to the AU-1 strain in that it possessed a long RNA pattern yet belonged to subgroup I. Genetic analysis by RNA-RNA hybridization assay indicated that the AU125 strain was distinct from two previously identified human rotavirus gene groups (genogroups) represented by the Wa strain (subgroup II with long RNA electropherotype) and the DS-1 strain (subgroup I with short RNA electropherotype), but was very closely related to the AU-1 strain. These data suggest that the genetic diversity of human rotaviruses may be more extensive than was previously thought.