Group A rotaviruses infect and cause diarrhea in humans and a wide range of mammals. Previous studies have suggested that some strains can cross the species barrier to infect humans (Martella et al., 2010). However, there are few reports on infection and characterization of rotaviruses in wild animals. To estimate what types of rotaviruses infect wild animals, we investigated infection of rotaviruses in wild animals living in urban areas in Japan between 2003 and 2008. Of 145 fecal specimens obtained, we detected rotaviruses in one sample from a Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) (RAC-DG5) and in one sample from a masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) (MP-CIVET66) by RT-semi-nested PCR. Sequence analyses of the VP4 and VP7 genes of RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains revealed that these strains belong to G3bP[9] genotype. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses showed that RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains were closely related to human and feline rotaviruses, suggesting interspecies transmission from humans or cats. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detection and characterization of rotaviruses in a Japanese raccoon dog and masked palm civet. These findings show that wild animals constitute a potential zoonotic risk of rotaviruses.
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.85
Key finding
Rotavirus strains from raccoon dog and masked palm civet were closely related to feline rotaviruses, suggesting possible cat-to-wild‑animal transmission.
Phylogenetic analyses showed that RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains were closely related to human and feline rotaviruses, suggesting interspecies transmission from humans or cats.
Phylogenetic analyses showed that RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains were closely related to human and feline rotaviruses, suggesting interspecies transmission from humans or cats.
Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 and VP7 gene sequences from rotaviruses in a Japanese raccoon dog and masked palm civet indicated they were G3bP[9] strains closely related to human and feline rotaviruses, suggesting interspecies transmission.
Sequence analyses of the VP4 and VP7 genes of RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains revealed that these strains belong to G3bP[9] genotype. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses showed that RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains were closely related to human and feline rotaviruses.
Genes or proteins
VP4; VP7
Analysis methods
sequence analysis; phylogenetic analysis
Genomic EvolutionExtraction confidence 0.90
Key finding
Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 and VP7 gene sequences from rotaviruses in a masked palm civet indicated they were G3bP[9] strains closely related to human and feline rotaviruses, suggesting interspecies transmission.
Sequence analyses of the VP4 and VP7 genes of RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains revealed that these strains belong to G3bP[9] genotype. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses showed that RAC-DG5 and MP-CIVET66 strains were closely related to human and feline rotaviruses.
Genes or proteins
VP4; VP7
Analysis methods
sequence analysis; phylogenetic analysis
Zoonotic Surveillance2 records
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Rotavirus was detected by RT-semi-nested PCR in a fecal sample from a Japanese raccoon dog collected during surveillance in Japan.
Of 145 fecal specimens obtained, we detected rotaviruses in one sample from a Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) (RAC-DG5) by RT-semi-nested PCR.
Method
RT-semi-nested PCR; sequence analysis
Sample type
fecal specimen
Geographic raw
Japan
Country inferred
Japan
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Rotavirus was detected by RT-semi-nested PCR in a fecal sample from a masked palm civet collected during surveillance in Japan.
