Prevalence, genotype diversity, and zoonotic potential of bovine rotavirus A in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Rotavirus A (RVA) is one of the major viral causes of acute gastroenteritis in calves globally. Bovine RVA can represent a public health concern as it is capable of zoonotic transmission. We assessed the burden, genotype distribution, and zoonotic potential of RVA among calves in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted involving a total of 266 calves. Clinical data and fecal samples were collected by trained veterinarians. Total RNA was extracted using QIAamp viral RNA mini kit and RVA was detected by One-step qRT-PCR. Amplification and Sanger sequencing of VP7 and VP4 genes were performed to determine G-types and P-types of the circulating RVA, respectively.

The prevalence of RVA among calves was 41/266 (15.4 %, 95 % CI = 11.3 %–19.5 %). The circulating G-types were G6, G8, and G10, while the circulating P-types were P[1], P[4], P[8], P[11], P[13] and P[14]. G10P[11] (37.5 %) followed by G6P[14] (18.8 %), and G6P[1] (12.5 %) were the dominant G/P combinations circulating among calves in the study area. The circulating bovine RVA strains including human-like bovine (GxP[4] and GxP[8]) and porcine-like bovine (G8P[13]) P-genotypes identified in calves were closely related to RVA strains globally reported from bovine, human, caprine, porcine, and other hosts.

Our data reveal that the prevalence of RVA in calves is significant with diverse genotypes circulating in the study area with a potential for zoonosis and/or reverse zoonosis. Hence, continuous surveillance of the circulating RVA genotypes is crucial to curb the RVA-associated morbidity and mortality in cattle and human populations.