Human group A rotavirus P[8] Hun9-like and rare OP354-like strains are circulating among diarrhoeic children in Eastern India.

During 2004-2006, group A rotavirus P[8] strains were the major VP4 genotype (43.2%, n = 317) among diarrhoeic children in Eastern India. Phylogenetic analysis of VP8* amino acid sequences of 16 of these strains with other P[8] strains revealed four distinct lineages. P[8] strains from Eastern India clustered within rare OP354-like and Hun9-like lineages, pointing towards co-prevalence of divergent P[8] strains. Although it is unclear whether the observed genetic diversity might affect to some extent the efficacy of vaccines, the present study emphasized further efforts to address the much lacking information on diversity of P[8] strains across the Indian subcontinent.