Genetic characterisation of novel G29P[14] and G10P[11] rotavirus strains from African buffalo

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution Vol. 85; p. 104463
• Main Authors: Strydom, Amy, Donato, Celeste, Peenze, Ina, Potgieter, A. Christiaan, Seheri, Mapaseka, O'Neill, Hester G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-11-2020
• Subjects: African buffalo; Artiodactyl backbone; G29; Rotavirus type A; P; Artiodactyl backbone; Rotavirus type A; African buffalo; G29
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104463

We report the first description of rotavirus A strains in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Following RNA extraction from stool samples, cDNA was prepared, followed either by sequence-independent amplification and 454 pyrosequencing or direct sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. RVA/Buffalo-wt/ZAF/4426/2002/G29P[14] exhibited a novel G29P[14] combination and an artiodactyl backbone: I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3. RVA/Buffalo-wt/ZAF/1442/2007/G10P[11] also exhibited an artiodactyl backbone: I2-R2-C2-M2-A13-N2-T6-E2-H3. Characterisation of these genome constellations indicate that the two buffalo strains are moderately diverse from each other and related to South African bovine RVA strains. The detection of RVA in buffalo contribute to our understanding of the host range of rotavirus in animals.
•First description of rotavirus in African buffalo•Identification of a novel VP7 and VP4 rotavirus combination, namely G29P[14]•Rotaviruses in African buffalo are related to South African bovine rotavirus strains