BOVINE ROTAVIRUS STRAIN-678 POSSESSES VP4 OF SEROTYPE P7[5] SPECIFICITY

Bovine rotavirus strain 678 is the first G8 strain of bovine origin bu t the literature is confusing as to its P type. In this study, two-way cross neutralization between 678 and 0510, a prototype G6P7[5] virus, was shown by plaque-reduction neutralization assays, establishing the P type of 678 as being P7[5]. The P7[5] specificity of 678 VP4 was re inforced by the finding that the VP8 portion of 678 VP4 had the highe st amino acid identity with those of P7[5] bovine rotaviruses. Apparen t contradiction with previous serological studies relates to intricacy of antigenicity and immunogenicity of UK VP4 in reassortants.