title: Evidence for the porcine origin of equine rotavirus strain H-1.
abstract: Equine group A rotavirus (RVA) strain H-1 (RVA/Horse-tc/GBR/H-1/1975/G5P9[7]) was found to have VP4, VP6-7, NSP1 and NSP4 genes of porcine origin. In order to obtain conclusive information on the exact origin and evolution of this unusual equine strain, the remaining six genes (VP1-3, NSP2-3 and NSP5 genes) of strain H-1 were analyzed in the present study. By whole genomic analysis, strain H-1 exhibited a porcine RVA-like genotype constellation (G5-P[7]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1), different from those of typical equine RVA strains. The VP2-3 and NSP2-3 genes of strain H-1 were found to originate from porcine RVAs. On the other hand, it was difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the VP1 and NSP5 genes of strain H-1, though phylogenetically, these genes appeared to be possibly derived from porcine or Wa-like human strains. Taken together, at least nine (VP2-4, VP6-7 and NSP1-4 genes) of the 11 gene segments of strain H-1 were found to be of porcine origin, revealing a porcine RVA-like genetic backbone. Therefore, strain H-1 is likely a porcine RVA strain that was transmitted to horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. souvikrota@gmail.com
authors.forename: Souvik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Tsuzumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shintani
authors.forename: Nobumichi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005814:Genes, Viral; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*