Identification of a novel VP4 genotype carried by a serotype G5 porcine rotavirus strain

Rotavirus genome segment 4, encoding the spike outer capsid VP4 protein, of a porcine rotavirus (PoRV) strain, 134/04-15, identified in Italy was sequenced, and the predicted amino acid (aa) sequence was compared to those of all known VP4 (P) genotypes. The aa sequence of the full-length VP4 protein of the PoRV strain 134/04-15 showed aa identity values ranging from 59.7% (bovine strain KK3, P8[11]) to 86.09% (porcine strain A46, P[13]) with those of the remaining 25 P genotypes. Moreover, aa sequence analysis of the corresponding VP8* trypsin cleavage fragment revealed that the PoRV strain 134/04-15 shared low identity, ranging from 37.52% (bovine strain 993/83, P[17]) to 73.6% (porcine strain MDR-13, P[13]), with those of the remaining 25 P genotypes. Phylogenetic relationships showed that the VP4 of the PoRV strain 134/04-15 shares a common evolutionary origin with porcine P[13] and lapine P[22] rotavirus strains. Additional sequence analyses of the VP7, VP6, and NSP4 genes of the PoRV strain 134/04-15 revealed the highest VP7 aa identity (95.9%) to G5 porcine strains, a porcine-like VP6 within VP6 genogroup I, and a Wa-like (genotype B) NSP4, respectively. Altogether, these results indicate that the PoRV strain 134/04-15 should be considered as prototype of a new VP4 genotype, P[26], and provide further evidence for the vast genetic and antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.     

Molecular characterization of unusual human G5P[6] rotaviruses identified in China.

BACKGROUND: We found an unusual human rotavirus, LL36755 of G5P[6] genotype, in a stool sample collected in Lulong County, Hebei Province, China. This is the first detection of rotavirus serotype G5 in Asia. OBJECTIVES: To identify and characterize G5 rotaviruses in 988 stool samples collected from children under 5 years old with acute gastroenteritis. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed 459 rotavirus-positive samples with RT-PCR using G5 genotype-specific primers. The G5 strains were sequenced. RESULTS: Two additional G5-positive samples (LL3354 and LL4260) were identified. VP7, VP4, VP6 and NSP4 genes of LL3354, LL4260 and LL36755 strains were sequenced. The VP4 sequences formed a group with porcine P[6] strains. The VP6 sequences of strains LL3354 and LL36755 were phylogenetically close to the major clusters of SGI and SGII rotaviruses, respectively. The deduced VP6 protein of strain LL4260 had characteristics of both SGI and SGII strains, but best fit with a cluster of atypical SGI viruses. In addition, based on NSP4 sequences, the three G5 strains belonged to genogroup B and were closest to human strain Wa. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a dynamic interaction of human and porcine rotaviruses and suggest that reassortment could result in the stable introduction and successful spread of porcine gene alleles into human rotaviruses.     

Evidence for independent segregation of the VP6- and NSP4- encoding genes in porcine group A rotavirus G6P[13] strains

Summary. Molecular characterization of two porcine group A rotavirus strains (HP113 and HP140), detected from eastern India, revealed a VP7 closely related to those of human G6P[14] strains, VP4 with a borderline P[13] genotype, and VP6 related to bovine and human SGI strains rather than porcine SGI and/or SGII group A rotaviruses. Both strains had NSP4 and NSP5 of porcine origin. Therefore, to our knowledge, the present study is the first report of detection of group A rotavirus strains with G6P[13] genotype specificities and provides evidence for independent segregation of the VP6- and NSP4-encoding genes in porcine group A rotaviruses.     

Detection and full genomic analysis of G6P[9] human rotavirus in Japan

A rare genotype G6P[9] was identified in two human group A rotavirus strains designated as KF14 and KF17, that were detected in stool specimens from children with diarrhea in Japan. VP7 gene sequences of these two strains were identical and genetically closely related to G6 human rotavirus strains reported in European countries and the United States. To our knowledge, this is the first report of detection of a G6 human rotavirus in Japan. For further genetic analysis to elucidate the origin of the G6 rotavirus, nearly full-length sequences of all 11 RNA segments were determined for the KF17 strain. The complete genomic constellation of KF17 was determined as G6-P[9]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T3-E3-H3, a novel genotype constellation for human rotavirus. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that VP6, VP1-3, and NSP2 genes of KF17 clustered with bovine-like G6 human strains and some animal strains into sub-lineages distinct from those of common DS-1-like G2 human rotaviruses. On the other hand, KF17 genes encoding VP4, NSP1, and NSP3-5 showed high sequence identities to the human G3P[9] strain AU-1, and clustered with AU-1 and some feline strains within the same lineage. These findings suggested that the G6P[9] human rotavirus detected in Japan may have occurred through reassortment among uncommon bovine-like human rotaviruses and human/feline AU-1-like rotaviruses.     

Molecular characterization of a rare G3P[3] human rotavirus reassortant strain reveals evidence for multiple human-animal interspecies transmissions

An unusual strain of human rotavirus G3P[3] (CMH222), bearing simian-like VP7 and caprine-like VP4 genes, was isolated from a 2-year-old child patient during the epidemiological survey of rotavirus in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2000-2001. The rotavirus strain was characterized by molecular analysis of its VP4, VP6, VP7, and NSP4 gene segments. The VP4 sequence of CMH222 shared the greatest homology with those of caprine P[3] (GRV strain) at 90.6% nucleotide and 96.4% amino acid sequence identities. Interestingly, the VP7 sequence revealed highest identity with those of simian G3 rotavirus (RRV strain) at 88% nucleotide and 98.1% amino acid sequence identities. In contrast, percent sequence identities of both the VP4 and VP7 genes were lower when compared with those of human rotavirus G3P[3] reference strains (Ro1845 and HCR3). Analyses of VP6 and NSP4 sequences showed a close relationship with simian VP6 SG I and caprine NSP4 genotype C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of VP4, VP6, VP7, and NSP4 genes of CMH222 revealed a common evolutionary lineage with simian and caprine rotavirus strains. These findings strongly suggest multiple interspecies transmission events of rotavirus strains among caprine, simian, and human in nature and provide convincing evidence that evolution of human rotaviruses is tightly intermingled with the evolution of animal rotaviruses.     

Sequence analysis of Vietnamese P[6] rotavirus strains suggests evidence of interspecies transmission

Nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the VP8* gene of five Vietnamese P[6] rotavirus strains detected from hospitalized patients with acute gastroenteritis were analyzed and compared with other human and porcine P[6] rotaviruses. It is of interest that these strains had greatest identity with two Italian porcine rotavirus strains, 134/04-10 and 134/04-11. To our knowledge, these five Vietnamese rotaviruses are the rare P[6] rotavirus strains belonging to lineage I that cluster into sublineage Ic with porcine rotaviruses, and not into sublineage Ia, as other human P[6] rotaviruses have done so far. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene of these P[6] rotavirus strains was also performed. The results showed that the Vietnamese G9P[6] strain had high similarity with other human G9 rotaviruses, confirming a human-animal reassortant virus, whereas other three G4P[6] strains had best identity with porcine G4 rotavirus strains, suggesting interspecies transmission of rotavirus between porcine and humans. This result provides the important data on molecular characteristics of Vietnamese rotaviruses, and highlights interspecies transmission events of rotaviruses in Vietnam as well as in Asia.     

Molecular characterization of G11P[25] and G3P[3] human rotavirus strains associated with asymptomatic infection in South India

Rotaviruses are the major etiological agents of diarrhea in children less than 5 years of age. Two unusual rotavirus strains not previously reported in India, G11P[25] (CRI 10795) and G3P[3] (CRI 33594) were isolated from faecal samples of asymptomatic children in India. The strains were characterized by sequence analysis of the genes encoding the VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4. The G11P[25] strain was closely related to the human G11P[25] strains from Bangladesh (with 98% identity at the nucleotide [nt] level and the amino acid [aa] level for the VP7 gene and 96% identity at the nt and 98% at the aa level for the VP4 gene). The G3P[3] strain was found to be related to a G3P[3] strain isolated in Thailand (CMH222; 88% identity at the nt level and 97% at aa level for the VP7 gene and 84% identity at the nt level and 90% at the aa level for the VP4 gene). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP6 and the NSP4 genes revealed that the Vellore G11P[25] strain was of VP6 subgroup II and NSP4 genotype B. The G3P[3] strain was identified as NSP4 genotype C and the VP6 gene showed 97% identity at the deduced amino acid level with strain CMH222 (Thailand) strain but did not cluster with sequences of SGI, SGII, SGI+II or SG-nonI/nonII. Both strains had gene segments of animal rotavirus origin suggesting inter-species transmission of rotavirus, and in the case of G11P[25] possibly underwent reassortment subsequently with human strains resulting in an animal-human hybrid strain.     

Molecular characterization of a rare G9P[23] porcine rotavirus isolate from China

The fifth most important G genotype, G9 rotavirus, is recognized as an emerging genotype that is spreading around the world. Sequence analysis was completed of a rare group A rotavirus, strain G9P[23], that was designated rotavirus A pig/China/NMTL/2008/G9P[23] and abbreviated as NMTL. It was isolated from a piglet with diarrhea in China. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the VP7 gene clustered within the G9 lineage VId. The VP4 gene clustered within the rare P[23] genotype. NMTL is the first porcine G9 stain reported in China. Thus, to further characterize the evolutionary diversity of the NMTL strain, all gene segments were used to draw a phylogenetic tree. Based on the new classification system of rotaviruses, the NMTL sequence revealed a G9-P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1 genotype with close similarity to human Wa-like and porcine strains. The results showed that (i) NSP2 and NSP4 genes of NMTL exhibited higher genetic relatedness to human group A rotaviruses than to porcine strains, (ii) the VP2 and VP4 genes clustered with porcine and porcine-like human strains, and (iii) VP1 genes clustered apart from the Wa-like human and porcine clusters. In view of rotavirus evolution, this report provides additional evidence to support the notion that the human and porcine rotavirus genomes might be related.     

Molecular characterization of a rare,human-porcine reassortant rotavirus strain,G11P[6], from Ecuador

The Pan-American Health Organization established a rotavirus pre-vaccination disease burden and strain surveillance network in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2004. During strain surveillance in Ecuador in 2005–2006, a rare rotavirus genotype, G11P[6], was detected among common strains. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of this strain identified a novel lineage of the G11 VP7 gene, most closely related to A253 (91.8% nt identity), a porcine rotavirus strain identified in Venezuela. Most genes of this strain clustered with porcine, human-porcine or bovine-porcine reassortant strains; only VP6 and perhaps NSP2 genes were more closely related to cognate genes of human rotaviruses. Thus, this strain was likely generated by gene reassortment between porcine and human parental strains. Our study provides further evidence that animal rotaviruses play an important role in genetic and antigenic diversity of rotaviruses pathogenic for humans.     

Characterization of full-length VP4 genes of OP354-like P[8] human rotavirus strains detected in Bangladesh representing a novel P[8] subtype

The G1 and G9 rotavirus strains MMC71 and MMC38 (subgroup II, NSP4 genogroup B), respectively, isolated from children in Bangladesh, were analyzed genetically. Full-length VP4 genes of these strains had 98.9% identity to each other and showed 83.9–89.4% identity to those of the P[4] and P[8] rotaviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 nucleotide sequences revealed that strains MMC38 and MMC71 were located in a lineage of P[8] strains. However, the cluster was highly divergent from the previously established P[8] strains. The VP8* portions of strains MMC38 and MMC71 showed more than 93.9% nucleotide sequence identity to OP354-like P[8] strains, and these strains were clustered into the same lineage. These findings indicate that the VP4 of these strains should be classified into a subtype of the P[8] genotype (P[8]b) that is distinct from that of common P[8] rotaviruses (P[8]a).     

Detection of rare G3P[19] porcine rotavirus strains in Chiang Mai, Thailand, provides evidence for origin of the VP4 genes of Mc323 and Mc345 human rotaviruses

Among 175 fecal specimens collected from diarrheic piglets during a surveillance of porcine rotavirus (PoRV) strains in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 39 (22.3%) were positive for group A rotaviruses. Of these, 33.3% (13 of 39) belonged to G3P[19], which was a rare P genotype seldom reported. Interestingly, their VP4 nucleotide sequences were most closely related to human P[19] strains (Mc323 and Mc345) isolated in 1989 from the same geographical area where these PoRV strains were isolated. These P[19] PoRV strains were also closely related to another human P[19] strain (RMC321), isolated from India in 1990. The VP4 sequence identities with human P[19] were 95.4% to 97.4%, while those to a porcine P[19] strain (4F) were only 87.6 to 89.1%. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 gene revealed that PoRV P[19] strains clustered with human P[19] strains in a monophyletic branch separated from strain 4F. Analysis of the VP7 gene confirmed that these strains belonged to the G3 genotype and shared 97.7% to 98.3% nucleotide identities with other G3 PoRV strains circulating in the regions. This close genetic relationship was also reflected in the phylogenetic analysis of their VP7 genes. Altogether, the findings provided peculiar evidence that supported the porcine origin of VP4 genes of Mc323 and Mc345 human rotaviruses.     

Diverse origin of P[19] rotaviruses in children with acute diarrhea in Taiwan: Detection of novel lineages of the G3, G5, and G9 VP7 genes

We previously reported the detection of genotype P[19] rotavirus strains from children hospitalized with acute dehydrating diarrhea during a 5-year surveillance period in Taiwan. The characterization of five P[19] strains (0.4% of all typed), including three G3P[19], a novel G5P[19], and a unique G9P[19] genotype is described in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP4, VP7, VP6, and NSP4 genes was performed, which demonstrated novel lineages for respective genotypes of the VP4 and the VP7 genes. The sequence similarities of the P[19] VP4 gene among Taiwanese human strains was higher (nt, 91.5-96.2%; aa, 93.7-97.6%) than to other P[19] strains (nt, 83.5-86.6%; aa, 89.4-94.1%) from different regions of the world. The VP7 gene of the three G3P[19] Taiwanese strains shared up to 93.4% nt and 97.5% aa identity to each other but had lower similarity to reference strain sequences available in GenBank (nt, <90.1%; aa, <95.6%). Similarly, the VP7 gene of the novel G5P[19] strain was only moderately related to the VP7 gene of reference G5 strains (nt, 82.2-87.3%; aa, 87.0-93.1%), while the VP7 gene of the single G9P[19] strain was genetically distinct from other known human and animal G9 rotavirus strains (nt, ≤ 92.0%; aa, ≤ 95.7%). Together, these findings suggest that the Taiwanese P[19] strains originated by independent interspecies transmission events. Synchronized surveillance of human and animal rotaviruses in Taiwan should identify possible hosts of these uncommon human rotavirus strains.     

Genomic characterization of human rotavirus G8 strains from the African rotavirus network: Relationship to animal rotaviruses

Global rotavirus surveillance has led to the detection of many unusual human rotavirus (HRV) genotypes. During 1996–2004 surveillance within the African Rotavirus Network (ARN), six P[8],G8 and two P[6],G8 human rotavirus strains were identified. Gene fragments (RT‐PCR amplicons) of all 11‐gene segments of these G8 strains were sequenced in order to elucidate their genetic and evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses of each gene segment revealed high similarities (88–100% nt and 91–100% aa) for all segments except for gene 4 encoding VP4 proteins P[8] and P[6]. For most strains, almost all of the genes of the ARN strains other than neutralizing antigens are related to typical human strains of Wa genogroup. The VP7, NSP2, and NSP5 genes were closely related to cognate genes of animal strains (83–99% and 97–99% aa identity). This study suggests that the ARN G8 strains might have arisen through VP7 or VP4 gene reassortment events since most of the other gene segments resemble those of common human rotaviruses. However, VP7, NSP2 (likely), and NSP5 (likely) genes are derived potentially from animals consistent with a zoonotic introduction. Although these findings help elucidate rotavirus evolution, sequence studies of cognate animal rotavirus genes are needed to conclusively determine the specific origin of those genes relative to both human and animal rotavirus strains. J. Med. Virol. 81:937–951, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Genetic variation of prevalent G1P[8] human rotaviruses in South Korea

The human rotavirus G1P[8] strain is one of the most common rotaviruses worldwide, including Korea. Six Korean G1P[8] human rotaviruses, isolated using cell culture techniques, were characterized on the basis of sequence differences in VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 genes to elucidate the evolutionary relationships in the community. All strains had a long RNA electropherotype, supported by VP6 gene analysis, clearly associated with subgroup II specificity. The phylogenetic analysis of VP7 gene sequences showed that they all clustered into lineage I, as reported for G1 strains in Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 gene showed that they belong to two distinct lineages, P[8]‐II and P[8]‐III. With respect to the NSP4 gene, all strains belonged to genotype B. An understanding of the ecology and molecular evolution of rotaviruses circulating in the country is very important for the development of vaccines and vaccination strategies. This study provides new information concerning the genetic variability of the rotavirus strain G1P[8] occurring most commonly as a vaccine candidate. J. Med. Virol. 82: 886–896, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Full genomic analysis of a human group A rotavirus G9P[6] strain from Eastern India provides evidence for porcine-to-human interspecies transmission

Deduced amino acid sequence and phylogenetic analyses of a group A rotavirus G9P[6] strain (designated as mcs/13-07), detected from a 3-year-old child in Eastern India, revealed a VP8* closely related to porcine P[6] strains (P[6] sublineage 1D), and the VP7 clustered with G9 lineage-III strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of human P[6] strain clustering in sublineage Id. Thus, to further characterize the evolutionary diversity of strain mcs/13-07, all gene segments were analyzed. VP6 and NSP4 exhibited genetic relatedness to Wa-like human subgroup II strains, while VP1-3, NSP1-3 and NSP5 were closely related to porcine strains. Based on the new classification system of rotaviruses, mcs/13-07 revealed a G9–P[6]–I1–R1–C1–M1–A8–N1–T1–E1–H1 genotype with close similarity to human Wa-like and porcine Gottfried strains. Therefore, considering the porcine-like or porcine origin of multiple gene segments, it might be tempting to assume that strain mcs/13-07 represents a rare instance of whole-virus transmission from pig to human, after which the virus evolved with time. Alternatively, it is possible that strain mcs/13-07 resulted from multiple reassortment events involving human subgroup II and porcine P[6] strains. Nevertheless, detection of strain mcs/13-07 provides further evidence for complex interspecies transmission events, which are frequent in developing countries.     

Full genomic analysis of a porcine–bovine reassortant G4P[6] rotavirus strain R479 isolated from an infant in China

During the 2004 surveillance of rotaviruses in Wuhan, China, a G4P[6] rotavirus strain R479 was isolated from a stool specimen collected from a 2‐year‐old child with diarrhea. The strain R479 had an uncommon subgroup specificity I + II, and analysis of the VP6 gene suggested that it was related to porcine rotaviruses. In the present study, full‐length nucleotide sequences of all the RNA segments of R479 were determined and analyzed phylogenetically to identify the origin of individual RNA segments. According to the rotavirus genotyping system based on 11 RNA segments, the genotype of R479 was expressed as G4‐P[6]‐I5‐R1‐C1‐M1‐A1‐N1‐T7‐E1‐H1. This genotype includes the porcine‐like VP6 genotype (I5) and bovine‐like NSP3 genotype (T7). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R479 genes encoding VP1, VP2, VP3, VP6, VP7, VP8*, NSP1, NSP4, and NSP5 were more closely related to those of porcine rotaviruses than human or other animal rotaviruses. In contrast, it was remarkable that the NSP3 gene of R479 was genetically closely related to only a bovine rotavirus strain UK. The NSP2 gene of R479 was also unique and clustered with only the G5P[8] human strain IAL28 and G3P[24] simian strain TUCH. These results suggested that R479 may be a reassortant virus having the NSP3 gene from a bovine rotavirus in the genetic background of a porcine rotavirus, with an NSP2 gene related to the porcine‐human reassortant strain IAL28. To our knowledge, R479 is the first porcine–bovine reassortant rotavirus isolated from a human. J. Med. Virol. 82:1094–1102, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Molecular characterization of rare G3P[9] rotavirus strains isolated from children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis

In 2004, an epidemiological survey of human rotavirus infection in Chiang Mai, Thailand detected two uncommon human rotavirus strains (CMH120/04 and CMH134/04) bearing AU-1-like G3P[9] genotypes in 1 year old children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. The CMH120/04 and CMH134/04 rotavirus strains were characterized by molecular analyses of their VP6, VP7, VP8*, and NSP4 gene segments as well as the determination of RNA patterns by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Analysis of the VP8* gene revealed a high level of amino acid sequence identities with those of P[9] rotavirus reference strains, ranging from 94.9% to 98.3%. The highest identities were shared with the human rotavirus AU-1 strain at 97.8% and 98.3% for CMH120/04 and CMH134/04 strains, respectively. Analysis of the VP7 gene sequence revealed the highest identities with G3 human rotavirus strain KC814 at 96.6% and 96.2% for CMH120/04 and CMH134/04 strains, respectively. Based on the analyses of VP7 and VP8* genes, CMH120/04 and CMH134/04 belonged to G3P[9] genotypes. In addition, analyses of VP6 and NSP4 sequences revealed a VP6 subgroup (SG) I, with NSP4 genetic group C specificities. Moreover, both strains displayed a long RNA electrophoretic pattern. The finding of uncommon G3P[9] rotaviruses in pediatric patients provided additional evidence of the genetic/antigenic diversities of human group A rotaviruses in the Chiang Mai area of Thailand.     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of a serotype P[6]G9 human rotavirus strain isolated in the United States

During an epidemiologic survey of rotavirus infections established to monitor the prevalent G serotypes circulating in the United States, human P[6]G9, subgroup I rotavirus strains causing symptomatic infections were identified as the fourth most common serotype. In this report we describe the molecular and antigenic characterization of one of these P[6]G9 isolates (US1205). Neutralization and sequencing studies have demonstrated that both outer capsid proteins, VP7 and VP4, of US1205 are closely related to but genetically and antigenically distinguishable from those of standard G9 strains (e.g., F45, WI61) and standard P2A[6] strains (e. g., ST3, M37). Thus the complete antigenic type of US1205 is P2A[6]G9, subgroup I. Sequence analysis of the VP6 and NSP4 genes of US1205 indicates that strain US1205 possessed VP6 subgroup I and NSP4A genotype specificities. Finally, Northern hybridization studies suggest that the P[6]G9 strains are closely related to members of the DS-1 genogroup except for their P[6] VP4 gene, which has been commonly identified in strains of both major human genogroups, and their G9 VP7 gene, which may have been derived by reassortment with a Wa genogroup strain. Examination of historic collections and prospective surveillance of strains will be needed to determine whether this strain has been present for some time or if it is emerging to compete with the other common serotypes of rotavirus.     

Molecular analysis of the VP7, VP4, VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes of a buffalo rotavirus strain: identification of the rare P[3] rhesus rotavirus-like VP4 gene allele

We report the detection and molecular characterization of a rotavirus strain, 10733, isolated from the feces of a buffalo calf affected with diarrhea in Italy. Strain 10733 was classified as a P[3] rotavirus, as the VP8* trypsin cleavage product of the VP4 protein revealed a high amino acid identity (96.2%) with that of rhesus rotavirus strain RRV (P5B[3]), used as the recipient virus in the human-simian reassortant vaccine. Analysis of the VP7 gene product revealed that strain 10733 possessed G6 serotype specificity, a type common in ruminants, with an amino acid identity to G6 rotavirus strains ranging from 88 to 98%, to Venezuelan bovine strain BRV033, and Hungarian human strain Hun4. Phylogenetic analysis based on the VP7 gene of G6 rotaviruses identified at least four lineages and an apparent linkage between each lineage and the VP4 specificity, suggesting the occurrence of repeated interspecies transmissions and genetic reassortment events between ruminant and human rotaviruses. Moreover, strain 10733 displayed a bovine-like NSP4 and NSP5/6 and a subgroup I VP6 specificity, as well as a long electropherotype pattern. The detection of the rare P[3] genotype in ruminants provides additional evidence for the wide genetic and antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.