[Use of PCR and nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP7 gene for detection of bovine rotaviruses and identification of their G serotypes]

Abstract

A Vp7 gene fragment PCR protocol was developed to detect the bovine rotaviruses and to identify their G serotypes. The most widespread bovine rotaviruses of G serotypes (G6, G8 and G10) can be distinguished on the basis of the PCR fragment size, while other G serotypes can be differentiated through a comparative analysis of the VP7 gene fragment nuclcotide sequence. Twenty-four bovine rotavirus field isolates were detected, and their G stereotypes were determined by using the method in question. Fourteen isolates were shown to be of G6 serotype; four of them were of G8, five--of G10, and one isolate was of G11 serotype. A possibility of detecting more than one isolate by this method was shown. Finally, a feasibility of using the method for searching for rotaviruses of new bovine rotavirus G serotypes and for rotaviruses, which do not belong to a so far described G serotypes, is discussed.