Genotyping and determining the distribution of prevalent G and P types of group A bovine rotaviruses between 2010 and 2012 in Iran

•Fecal sample of diarrheic calves collected from 11 provinces of Iran.•RT-PCR was used to determined the frequency of G and P types of bovine rotavirus A.•G10 and P[11] were found more than G6 and P[5], but G8 and P[1] were not seen.•Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 gene of an isolate shows relationship with strain B223•Phylogenetic analysis of VP4 gene of the same isolate was related to strain B223.

Determination and distribution of the G and P genotypes of group A bovine rotavirus was investigated on 386 fecal samples collected from calves with diarrhea using a semi-nested RT-PCR typing assay. Samples were collected from 11 provinces of Iran during 2010-2012. The provinces divided into 5 different groups based on geographical distance and climates. One hundred and nine samples (28.2%) were confirmed positive for rotavirus group A using ELISA. 75 positive samples were selected randomly and subjected to typing assay. G10 (50.6%) and P[11] (64%) were detected more than G6 (21.3%) and P[5] (9.3%). No any G8 and P[1] were observed. Of the 75 samples analyzed by RT-PCR in each geographical areas named as the south of Alborz mountain ranges area, the north-east area, the central area, the north-west area and the south-east area, number of samples with G10 genotype were 19, 9, 9, 0 and 1; G6 were 8, 0, 3, 5 and 0; P[11] were 25, 7, 11, 5 and 0 and finally P[5] were 5, 0, 2, 0 and 0 in each area, respectively. The most common VP7/VP4 combinations were G10P[11] (40%), G6P[11] (12%), G6P[5] (5.3%) and G10P[5] (2.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of one strain showed high identity with strain B223. Since the identification of G and P genotypes and their diversity is fundamental to development and use of effective vaccines, we determined the most prevalence G and P genotypes of bovine rotavirus group A (BRVA) in a broad area of Iran.