Molecular characterisation of equine group A rotavirus, Nasuno, isolated in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
Authors: Fukai Katsuhiko, Saito Toshiya, Fukuda Osamu, Hagiwara Atsuko, Inoue Kyoichi, Sato Mitsuo
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
Rotavirus remains a significant cause of acute diarrhoea in foals, yet strain variation across geographic regions demands ongoing surveillance to understand circulating genotypes and their clinical implications. Researchers in Japan sequenced two critical viral proteins—VP4 and VP7—from the Nasuno strain isolated during a diarrhoeal outbreak in Tochigi Prefecture, comparing the genetic sequences against known equine rotavirus strains. The Nasuno isolate demonstrated high homology with P[12] genotypes (94.0–99.3% nucleotide identity) and G3 genotypes (86.9–99.5% nucleotide identity), with phylogenetic analysis confirming its classification as a P[12],G3 strain. These findings suggest considerable genetic conservation within this rotavirus genotype globally, though the presence of regionally distinct isolates underscores the importance of local epidemiological surveillance for understanding disease dynamics and optimising vaccination strategies where rotavirus immunisation is employed. For practitioners managing foal diarrhoea, this molecular characterisation contributes to the growing database of strain variants and supports more targeted diagnostic and preventive approaches to rotaviral disease in different equine populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This molecular characterization identifies circulating equine rotavirus genotypes in Japan, useful for understanding regional disease epidemiology and vaccine strain matching
- •Rotavirus P and G genotyping can support diagnosis and strain identification when foals present with acute diarrhoea in endemic regions
- •Knowledge of locally prevalent rotavirus genotypes may inform vaccination protocols and management strategies for preventing neonatal diarrhoea outbreaks
Key Findings
- •Equine rotavirus Nasuno isolate from Japan was genotyped as P[12] and G3 based on VP4 and VP7 sequence analysis
- •Nucleotide homology with P[12] reference strains was 94.0-99.3%, and with G3 strains was 86.9-99.5%
- •Phylogenetic analysis confirmed P[12] and G3 classification, establishing the genetic characterization of this Japanese equine rotavirus isolate