Molecular characterization of bovine rotavirus strains circulating in northern Italy, 2003-2005

Vet Microbiol. 2008 Jun 22;129(3-4):384-9. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.11.036. Epub 2007 Dec 5.

Abstract

A total of 232 stools collected from calves with rotavirus infection in herds located in northern Italy from 2003 to 2005 was investigated. Determination of the rotavirus G and P types was carried out using nested RT-PCR. G6 was the most prevalent genotype, accounting for 78.5% of samples, G10 accounted for 9.9% of samples and viruses of G8 type were found in 4.7% of samples. In 3% of samples, viruses were not classified due to concomitant infection with more G type strains, whereas viruses in 3.9% of samples could not be characterized with any of the G-specific primers used in this study. Most common P types were P[11] and P[5], accounting for 65.1% and 25%, respectively. In 2.6% of cases, samples reacted with multiple P-specific primers; no P[1] serotype was identified. The G6P[11] combination was predominant throughout the study period, i.e. 52.5% in 2003, 50% in 2004 and 40% in 2005. The incidence of G6P[5] increased from 13.1% in 2003 to 27% in 2004 and 25.5% in 2005. The G10P[11] combination decreased markedly from 18% in 2003 to 2.6% in 2004, rising again to 7.3% in 2005. G8P[11] viruses were similarly present in 2003 (5%) and 2004 (4.3%), declining slightly in 2005 (1.8%).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases / virology*
  • DNA, Viral
  • Feces / virology
  • Gene Amplification
  • Genotype
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Rotavirus / genetics*
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Rotavirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Rotavirus Infections / virology
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • DNA, Viral
  • VP4 protein, Rotavirus
  • VP7 protein, Rotavirus