Study on the Reassortment and the Presence of G genotypes of Bovine Group A Rotaviruses in the Human Rotaviruses in Tehran

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus Group A is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis as it is isolated from 30 to 50% of infant diarrhea from humans and other animals. G genotype of the virus is determined by gene sequence of a surface protein of the virus (VP7), one of the most important factors in inducing immunity against the virus which acts very specific to each genotype. OBJECTIVES: In the present study the presence of common bovine rotavirus genotypes A was examined in human rotavirus population. METHODS: A total of 100 stool samples from children under 2 years of age in Tehran and Varamin were collected and to track the presence of rotavirus A, were evaluated using ELISA method. Positive samples were isolated and cultured on the MA-104 cell line after several passages. The positive samples (49 samples) were determined to be the G type using semi-nested RT-PCR and primers specific for bovine common genotype. RESULTS: From 100 samples, 49 were positive in ELISA. Eight samples in the first semi nested RT-PCR showed the desired rotavirus bands and in the second round, the results were positive for the presence of bovine VP7 in two samples taken from Varamin, in one sample, G6, and in another sample, two genotypes of VP7, G6 and G8 were detected, indicating infection with at least two strains of human rotavirus reassortant. Six of the ELISA selected positive samples that were taken to the cell line MA104, showed effects of cell damage (CPE) after 4-5 consecutive passages, demonstrating proliferation of the rotaviruses of this study and so, their viability was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate reassortment between bovine and human rotaviruses and show that in case of occurrence of bovine and human rotavirus infection and the emergence of new human type, due to reassortment strain differences in protein immunogen it is possible to overcome due to lack of maternal immunity in the human population and low efficiency of current vaccines and, ultimately, epidemic and considerable losses may occur. Hence, more research is warranted.