Molecular characterization identifies intra-host recombination and zoonotic potential of canine rotavirus among dogs from Thailand.

Charoenkul, Kamonpan; Janetanakit, Taveesak; Bunpapong, Napawan; Boonyapisitsopa, Supanat; Tangwangvivat, Ratanaporn; Suwannakarn, Kamol; Theamboonlers, Apiradee; Poovorawan, Yong; Amonsin, Alongkorn

From September 2016 to January 2019, we collected 710 rectal swabs from both healthy and sick dogs from small animal hospitals in 5 provinces of Thailand. The samples were tested for canine rotavirus group A (CRV) by using one-step RT-PCR specific to the VP6 gene. Our results showed that 0.70% (5/710) were positive for CRV. The five CRVs were then characterized by whole-genome sequencing. Our results showed that the genotype of Thai CRVs is G3P[3], which is the predominant genotype reported in dogs. The Thai CRVs posed a novel genetic constellation "G3-P[3]-I3-R3-C3-M3-A9-N2-T3-E3-H6", which has never been reported in CRVs from dogs but has been reported in rotaviruses from humans. Based on phylogenetic analysis, the Thai CRVs are the result of multiple-reassortments in which gene segments might have originated from human and bat rotaviruses and suggests the zoonotic potential of the virus.