RESUMO
We report the molecular characterization of rotavirus genotype P[8]G5 strains found in fecal specimens collected in four different regions of Brazil, using digoxigenin(dig)-labeled oligonucleotide probes, sequence analysis, and RNA-RNA hybridization. The closest sequence relationships of the neutralization antigens of these strains were to the VP4 protein of P1A[8]G1 strain KU (93.3% identity in amino acids 11 to 282) and to the VP7 protein of G serotype 5 strain OSU (87.6% identity in amino acids 8 to 232). Based on VP7 sequence differences, we designed dig-probes that allowed us to discriminate porcine OSU-like strains from G5 strains isolated from Brazilian infants. The genetic relationships of two P[8]G5 isolates to other rotavirus genogroups were analyzed by RNA-RNA hybridization with [32P]-GTP probes representative of serotypes P1A[8]G1 (Wa), P[8]G3 (AU17), and P9[7]G5 (OSU). The Brazilian P[8]G5 strains showed sequence homology with genes of Wa-like and OSU-like strains, suggesting that these two strains were naturally occurring reassortants between members of the Wa and porcine rotavirus genogroups. The identification of these strains in diverse geographic areas of Brazil underscores their stability and demonstrates the emergence of clinically important rotavirus diarrhea strains by reassortment.