Sequence analysis of pigeon, turkey, and chicken rotavirus VP8* identifies rotavirus 993/83, isolated from calf feces, as a pigeon rotavirus.

Partial-length gene 4 cDNA encompassing the VP8* portion of VP4 from chicken rotavirus (RV) Ch-1, turkey RV Ty-1 and Ty-3, and pigeon RV PO-13 was sequenced and compared to RV 993/83 isolated from a calf with diarrhea. Ninety-six percent amino acid sequence identity was seen between VP8* from calf RV 993/83 and pigeon RV PO-13, while only 77 to 83% identity was seen in comparison with turkey and chicken RV VP8* sequences. Phylogenetic tree analysis places all avian RV (including calf isolate 993/83) on a branch at the bottom of the VP8* tree. When tested with three neutralizing monoclonal antibodies raised against pigeon RV PO-13, RV 993/83 and Ty-1 share three, Ch-1 shares two, and Ty-3 shares one neutralizing epitope(s) on VP4 with pigeon RV PO-13.