Recommendations for the classification of group A rotaviruses using all 11 genomic RNA segments

Abstract

Recently, a classification system was proposed for rotaviruses in which all the 11 genomic RNA segments are used (Matthijnssens et al., 2008; J. Virol. 82:3204-3219). Based on nucleotide identity cut-off percentages, different genotypes were defined for each genome segment. A nomenclature for the comparison of complete rotavirus genomes was considered in which the notations Gx-P[x]-Ix-Rx-Cx-Mx-Ax-Nx-Tx-Ex-Hx are used for the VP7-VP4-VP6-VP1-VP2-VP3-NSP1-NSP2-NSP3-NSP4-NSP5/6 encoding genes, respectively. This classification system is an extension of the previously applied, genotype-based system which made use of the rotavirus gene segments encoding VP4, VP7, VP6, and NSP4. In order to assign rotavirus strains to one of the established genotypes or a new genotype, a standard procedure is proposed in this report. As more human and animal rotavirus genomes will be completely sequenced, new genotypes for each of the eleven gene segments may be identified. A Rotavirus Classification Working Group (RCWG) including specialists in molecular virology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and public health was formed, which can assist in the appropriate delineation of new genotypes, thus avoiding duplications and helping minimize errors. Scientists discovering a potentially new rotavirus genotype for any of the 11 gene segments are invited to send the novel sequence to the RCWG, where the sequence will be analyzed, and a new nomenclature will be advised as appropriate. The RCWG will update the list of classified strains regularly and make this accessible on a website. Close collaboration with the Study Group Reoviridae of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses will be maintained.

Frequency, clinical characteristics, and genotype distribution of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Greece (2007–2008)

“…Interspecies transmission events and genome reassortment are frequently reported in the evolution history of rotavirus and highlight the role of animals as a source of rotavirus infection in humans [Matthijnssens et al, 2008a]. Sequencing of its genome and adopting a new classification system are recommended to generate reliable data and elucidate the rotavirus evolutionary patterns [Matthijnssens et al, 2008b].…”

Group A rotavirus genotypes and the ongoing Brazilian experience: a review

“…In this context, NSP4 typing of RV-A-positive samples collected in Centralwestern and Southeastern Brazil showed the predominance of genotype B (Araújo et al 2007b, Tavares et al 2008. Recently, Matthijnssens et al (2008) proposed a new classification system for RV-A, based on the molecular properties of all 11 RV-A gene segments. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the molecular characteristics of VP1, VP2,VP3,VP6,NSP1,NSP2,NSP3,NSP4 and NSP5 genes result in 4,5,6,11,14,5,7,11 and 6 genotypes,respectively.…”

Suspected zoonotic transmission of rotavirus group A in Danish adults

“…Another capsid protein, VP6, defines the rotavirus group specificity and can according to the proposed classification system be divided into 11 different genotypes (I1-I11) [2]. NSP4 is a non-structural protein involved in the morphogenesis and pathogenesis of rotaviruses and also an enterotoxin that can induce diarrhoea by itself.…”

“…NSP4 is a non-structural protein involved in the morphogenesis and pathogenesis of rotaviruses and also an enterotoxin that can induce diarrhoea by itself. To date, at least 11 distinct genotypes have been recognized (E1-E11) [2]. Due to the segmented nature of the rotavirus genome, co-infection with more than one strain, can lead to the emergence of new reassortant rotavirus variants.…”

“…1) determined the genotype to be G8P[14]-I2-E2. The Rotavirus Classification Working Group [2] recommends that at least 500-bp-long fragments should be used for assigning a genotype. In this study we obtained VP4 and VP7 sequences longer than 500 bp, but the VP6 and NSP4 sequences are shorter, 293 and 496 bp, respectively.…”