Abstract
Rotavirus A (RVA) causes viral gastroenteritis in humans and animals, including calves, piglets, and foals. The current study reports the genetic characterization of the full-length enterotoxin gene, NSP4, from caprine and ovine species. Upon characterizing eight full-length NSP4 genes by sequencing, it was found that the four caprine and three ovine RVA5 NSP4 genes are of E2 genotype and the sole ovine RVA isolate was found to be of E1 genotype. In the sequence and phyloanalysis of the NSP4 gene the seven E2 genotypes clustered with bovine, human, and caprine isolates from India and Bangladesh, respectively. The E1 genotype of ovine RVA was closer to human RVA isolate from India. The nucleotide per cent identity analysis revealed that all E2 genotype strains of caprine and ovine species ranged from 88.4% to 90.4% and it was found common to both the reference human RVA isolates DS-1 and AU-1. Whereas, the E1 genotype ovine strain clustered with human RVA isolates with 93.1% nucleotide per cent identity. The RVA strains circulating in caprine and ovine populations may share a common origin which is usually found in artiodactyl species because humans share a common dwelling with animals. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings of their relationship with humans and large animals.