Molecular Characterization of Human and Bovine Rotaviruses in Marathwada Province of Maharashtra State

Rotavirus is the major etiologic agent associated with diarrhoeal diseases of young ones of many farm animals and human infants. Due to segmented nature of the RNA genome and wide host range, vast genetic and antigenic diversity exist amongst different isolates of rotavirus, keeping this point in view, the present study was undertaken to characterize bovine and human rotavirus circulating in Marathwada province of Maharashtra state. Total 211 faecal samples from bovines calves and 55 stool samples from children were collected from various regions of Marathwada.21 (9.95 %) and 6 (10.90 %) samples were positive for rotavirus in bovine calves and children respectively. The characteristic RNA migration pattern of group A rotavirus was observed in all bovine and human samples through RNA PAGE showing long electropherotype. All the PAGE positive samples tested by RT-PCR for VP7 and VP4 genes of bovine and human were amplified as evidenced by an expected PCR product of 1062bp of VP7 gene, 856bp of bovine VP4 gene and 876bp of human VP4. Nucleotide sequences retrieved after sequencing of PCR products were subjected to sequence analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes for further confirmation which showed 85 % to 99 % homology with other group A rotaviruses after examined by nucleotide BLAST revealing the interspecies transmission.