G and P types of bovine group A rotavirus in northern India

Animal rotaviruses (RVs) are considered as a potential threat to humans due to possibility of interspecies transmission and exchange of genomic materials. Among several RVs, the group A rotaviruses (RVA) are the major cause of diarrhoea in cattle and buffalo calves worldwide. The present study was carried out to understand epidemiology and types of RVA circulating in Mathura region of northern India. One hundred faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeic cattle (n=94) and buffalo calves (n=6) from organized dairy farms. Viral RNA was extracted from faecal suspension and was transcribed to cDNA using RT-PCR. The cDNA was amplified for VP6, VP7 and VP4 genes and multiplex nested PCR was done for G and P genotyping. Twelve samples were detected positive for RVA by antigen detection ELISA and eleven samples produced expected amplicon for group A specific VP6 gene. On genotyping with G3, G6, G8 and G10 specific primers for VP7 gene and P [1] and P [11] specific primers for VP4 gene, G6 genotype predominated over other genotypes. Dual genotypes were also observed. In P typing only one isolate was found to be positive for P [1] and rest all samples remained untypable. The result of present study indicates G6 as a major G genotype and change in frequencies of distribution of G types in this part of the country.