Sequence conservation of the major outer capsid glycoprotein of human group C rotaviruses

Several outbreaks of Group C rotavirus infection have occurred in the United Kingdom, in one instance infection was associated with the death of a 4-month-old infant in the Bristol area. The origin of human group C rotavirus is unknown although there has been some speculation that porcine species may be a possible source of human infection. Direct reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction sequencing of VP7 genes from two UK outbreaks (Bristol and Preston) and sequence analysis from a sporadic case of infection from Brazil (Belém) showed that each of these genes was identical in size (1,063 bp) and has revealed a surprising level (97.8-99.8%) of gene sequence conservation. Sequence comparisons with an isolate from Japan imply that the human group C rotaviruses so far characterised originate from a recent common ancestor with a worldwide distribution.