Genomic characterization of porcine rotaviruses in Italy

A total of 23 rotavirus strains isolated from pigs were analyzed. Twenty st rains had been isolated from diarrheic piglets from an outbreak that occurr ed in northern Italy in 1983. Three strains had been isolated in 1984 from swine herds located in distinct areas of northern Italy. All 23 strains wer e characterized as type G6P[5] by PCR. The isolation from piglets of rotavi ruses displaying typical bovine G- and P-type specificities points out the high frequency of rotavirus transmission between cattle and pigs.