Full genome characterization of a Kenyan G8P[14] rotavirus strain suggests artiodactyl-to-human zoonotic transmission

Background: Rotavirus infections are a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. Human rotavirus strains with the unconventional G8P[14] genotype have sporadically been detected in diarrheic patients in different parts of the world. However, full genomes of only two human G8P[14] strains from Africa (North Africa) have been sequenced, and the origin and evolutionary patterns of African G8P[14] strains remain to be elucidated. Methods: In this study, we sequenced the full genome of an African G8P[14] strain (RVA/Human-wt/KEN/A75/2000/G8P[14]) identified in archival stool samples from a diarrheic child in Kenya. Results: Full genome-based analysis of strain A75 revealed a unique genogroup constellation, G8-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3, with the I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3 part being common among rotavirus strains from artiodactyls such as cattle. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the 11 genomic segments of strain A75 are closely related to segments found in artiodactyl rotavirus strains, and likely strain A75 derived from spillover transmission of an artiodactyl rotavirus strain to humans. Conclusion: This is the first report on a full genome-based characterization of a human G8P[14] strain from East Africa. This study demonstrates the diversity of human G8P[14] strains in Africa and contributes to the elucidation of their spreading and evolution, which includes zoonotic transmission from artiodactyls.