Human infection with novel G3P[25] rotavirus strain in Taiwan

Genotype P[25] rotaviruses are rare and to date have been reported to occur only in a few countries of mainland Asia. Here we report the molecular characterization of a novel human rotavirus genotype combination, G3P[25], detected in a 17-month-old child hospitalized due to severe gastroenteritis during 2009 in central Taiwan. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP4 gene demonstrated a distinct origin from other strains bearing the P[25] VP4 gene, whereas the VP7, VP6 and NSP4 gene phylogenies identified common origins with cognate genes of other, presumed human-porcine reassortment Taiwanese strains. These results suggest that interactions between human and animal strains appear to contribute to the generation of genetic and antigenic diversity of rotavirus strains, with potential public health importance in Taiwan.