Genome-wide molecular characterization analysis of rare G9P8-A2 genotype rotavirus in China

Objective To investigate the genome-wide molecular characteristics of group A rotavirus (RVA) JL18221140, a G9P8 genotype in China.

Methods A raw fecal specimen of G9P8 genotype RVA (JL18221140) in Jilin province, China, was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) one-step method to amplify 11 gene segments, and homology and evolution analysis were carried out by DNAStar, MEGA 11.0 and other bioinformatics analysis software.

Results The genotypes of 11 segments of the whole genome of JL18221140 were G9-P8-I1-R1-C1-M1-A2-N1-T1-E1-H1, and the NSP1 genotype showed DS-1-like characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis showed that VP7 and VP4 were clustered in lineages G9-VI and P8-Ⅲ, respectively.

Conclusion JL18221140 is a rare G9P8-A2 reassortant strain among G9P8 genotypes, which may have arisen from inter-genomic reassortment during co-infection with the G9P8-A1 and G2P4-A2 strains prevalent in China. This shows the importance of continuous monitoring of RVA and whole genome sequencing, which is conducive to understanding the genetic variation of RVAstrains in China, and provides more effective basic data for future virus prevention and control and vaccine research and development.