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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Genetic characterization of a novel G3P[14] rotavirus strain causing gastroenteritis in 12 year old Australian child
Celeste M Donato1, Nicholas M Manuelpillai2, Daniel Cowley3
1Enteric Virus Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
A novel G3P[14] rotavirus strain was identified in a child with gastroenteritis. Full genome analysis revealed a unique constellation, genetically distinct from known lapine viruses, suggesting potential cross-species transmission.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a significant global health concern.
- Genotype G3P[14] rotavirus strains have been previously identified in rabbits and rarely in humans.
- Understanding rotavirus diversity is crucial for developing effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel G3P[14] rotavirus strain identified in a pediatric patient.
- To perform full genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the identified strain.
- To investigate the potential origins and evolutionary relationships of this unique rotavirus strain.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing of the rotavirus strain RVA/Human-wt/AUS/RCH272/2012/G3P[14].
- Phylogenetic analysis of individual genes to determine evolutionary relationships.
- Bayesian coalescent analysis to estimate the origin and evolution of specific genes.
Main Results:
- Identification of a G3P[14] rotavirus strain (RCH272) in a child with gastroenteritis.
- The strain possesses a novel genome constellation: G3-P[14]-I2-R3-C3-M3-A9-N2-T6-E2-H3.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicated that some genes cluster with bovine lineages, while others show similarity to bat, canine, and feline strains.
- Bayesian analysis suggested bovine-like ancestral origins for several genes, circulating between 1943 and 1989.
Conclusions:
- The identified rotavirus strain RCH272 exhibits a unique genome constellation with mixed animal and human lineage genes.
- Its genetic makeup suggests possible origins from multiple reassortment events or direct transmission from an unknown host.
- Further investigation into animal populations is needed to pinpoint the exact origin of this novel strain.
Abstract:
A genotype G3P[14] rotavirus strain was identified in a 12year old child presenting to the Emergency Department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, with gastroenteritis. G3P[14] strains have been previously identified in rabbits in Japan, China, the USA and Italy and a single lapine-like strain from a child in Belgium. Full genome sequence analysis of RVA/Human-wt/AUS/RCH272/2012/G3P[14] (RCH272) revealed that the strain contained the novel genome constellation G3-P[14]-I2-R3-C3-M3-A9-N2-T6-E2-H3. The genome was genetically divergent to previously characterized lapine viruses and the genes were distantly related to a range of human bovine-like strains and animal strains of bovine, bat and canine/feline characteristics. The VP4, VP6, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4 and NSP5 genes of RCH272 clustered within bovine lineages in the phylogenetic analysis and shared moderate genetic similarity with an Australian bovine-like human strain RVA/Human-tc/AUS/MG6/1993/G6P[14]. Bayesian coalescent analysis suggested these genes of RCH272 and RVA/Human-tc/AUS/MG6/1993/G6P[14] were derived from a population of relatively homogenous bovine-like ancestral strains circulating between 1943 and 1989. The VP7, VP1, VP2 and NSP1 genes shared moderate genetic similarity with the Chinese strain RVA/Bat-tc/CHN/MSLH14/2011/G3P[3] and the VP3 gene clustered within a lineage comprised of canine and feline strains. This strain may represent the direct transmission from an unknown host species or be derived via multiple reassortment events between strains originating from various species. The patient lived in a household containing domesticated cats and dogs and in close proximity to a colony of Gray-headed Flying-foxes. However, without screening numerous animal populations it is not possible to determine the origins of this strain.
