The First Whole-Genome Characterization of a Kenyan DS-1-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strain: Evidence for an Intragenogroup...

Unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] rotavirus strains have emerged and spread rapidly across several countries. In Africa, however, reports of these strains and available whole-genome data remain limited, and their evolutionary relationships across the continent are not yet fully understood. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genome of a DS-1-like G3P[8] strain (RVA/Human-wt/KEN/KCH1748/2020/G3P[8]) detected in a child with acute gastroenteritis in Kenya. Strain KCH1748 possessed an unusual genotype constellation: G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 10 of the 11 genomic segments of strain KCH1748 were closely related to those of other East African DS-1-like G3P[8] strains from Kenya and Tanzania within the globally circulating DS-1-like G3P[8] lineage, suggesting that it may be derived from this globally emerging lineage. In contrast, the VP1 gene of strain KCH1748 was closely related to those of Ghanaian G9P[4] strains, sharing a common branch with Beninese DS-1-like G3P[8] and G2P[4] strains, suggesting a VP1 intragenogroup reassortment event involving African RVA strains. This study provides the first comprehensive whole-genome evolutionary characterization of a DS-1-like G3P[8] strain identified in Kenya. Our findings contribute to understanding the evolutionary dynamics and genomic diversification of emerging DS-1-like G3P[8] strains in Africa.