Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Relationship of VP6 Gene of Rotavirus among Canine, Porcine and Human Infants

Abstract

Background: Rotaviruses have been widely reported and have a worldwide prevalence to be associated with diarrhea in humans but fewer studies abound on other mammalian species. Group A Rotavirus (RVA) are majorly responsible for causing acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in humans and animals. Methods: In the present study 150 diarrheic fecal samples from, piglets, pups and human infants (0-5 yr of age) were screened for the presence of rotaviruses by lateral flow assay, VP6-based RT-PCR assay and phylogenetic analysis. Result: A total of 13/150 (8.6%) fecal samples were found positive by lateral flow assay. Out of 50 diarrheic fecal samples each of human infants 4 (8.0%), pups, 03 (6.0%), piglet samples 6 (12.00%) showed the presence of rotavirus. All 13 positive fecal samples from piglets, pups and human infants were further screened for the detection of group A Rotavirus by VP6 gene-based RT-PCR assay. Of the samples tested, 13 (100.00%) samples were found positive for Rotavirus. The sequences of VP6 gene amplified from piglet, pups and human infants were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis showed that there is not much sequence variation between rotavirus from human infant and piglet. It showed more identity with Homo sapiens and Bos taurus which indicated the possibility of zoonotic transmission.