A new gene allele of the rotavirus VP4 protein has been identified by sequence analysis of strains detected in the diarrhoeic specimens of young rabbits. The Italian lapine rotavirus (LRV) (160/01, 229/01 and 308/01), identified in 2001, were highly identical (90-95%) among each other, but showed low aa identity (34-77%) to the VP4*-genotype specific sequences of representative rotavirus strains of all remaining P genotypes. One LRV strain (30/96), isolated in 1996, shared the closest amino acid (aa) identity (87-96%) with the P[14] genotype, comprised of human and LRV strains. The new allele of the VP4 gene identified in rabbit rotaviruses was tentatively proposed as genotype P[22]. The potential implications for human health of the emergence of this new allele is discussed in the view of the peculiar characteristics of rotaviruses.
Analisi di rotavirus di coniglio: identificazione di un nuovo genotipo della proteina VP4
MARTELLA, Vito;CAMARDA, Antonio;TERIO, VALENTINA;DECARO, Nicola;TINELLI, ANTONELLA;ELIA, Gabriella;BUONAVOGLIA, Canio
2003-01-01
Abstract
A new gene allele of the rotavirus VP4 protein has been identified by sequence analysis of strains detected in the diarrhoeic specimens of young rabbits. The Italian lapine rotavirus (LRV) (160/01, 229/01 and 308/01), identified in 2001, were highly identical (90-95%) among each other, but showed low aa identity (34-77%) to the VP4*-genotype specific sequences of representative rotavirus strains of all remaining P genotypes. One LRV strain (30/96), isolated in 1996, shared the closest amino acid (aa) identity (87-96%) with the P[14] genotype, comprised of human and LRV strains. The new allele of the VP4 gene identified in rabbit rotaviruses was tentatively proposed as genotype P[22]. The potential implications for human health of the emergence of this new allele is discussed in the view of the peculiar characteristics of rotaviruses.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
