G and P Genotypes of Group A Rotavirus in Diarrheic Calves in Costa Rica

Abstract

Rotavirus infections are the most common causes of infectious diarrhea in young children and animals worldwide. We performed a genotyping of rotavirus strains by RT-PCR for G (VP7) and P (VP4), in diarrhea samples from calves, in several locations in Costa Rica. Combinations of genotypes G (VP7) and P (VP4) were identified in cattle: 4 (26%) corresponding to G8 P [11], 4 (24%) to G6P [11], 3 (19%) to G8P [7], 2 (13%) to G10P [1], 3 (19%) to G10P [11], and 1 (6%) to G8P [1] and mixed infections. This research represents the first report of bovine rotavirus strains (calves) in Costa Rica and in the Central American region.

Las infecciones por rotavirus son las causas más comunes de diarrea infecciosa en niños pequeños y animales en todo el mundo. Realizamos un genotipado de cepas de rotavirus por RT-PCR para G (VP7) y P (VP4), en muestras de diarrea de terneros, en varias localidades de Costa Rica. Se identificaron combinaciones de genotipos G (VP7) y P (VP4) en bovinos: 4 (26%) correspondientes a G8 P [11], 4 (24%) a G6P [11], 3 (19%) a G8P [7], 2 (13%) a G10P [1], 3 (19%) a G10P [11], y 1 (6%) a G8P [1] e infecciones mixtas. Esta investigación representa el primer reporte de cepas de rotavirus bovino (terneros) en Costa Rica y en la región centroamericana.