Detection and Molecular Analysis of Picobirnavirus and Rotavirus from Animal Faecal Samples

Background: Picobirnavirus (PBV) is an enteric virus with potential for interspecies transmission, affecting various animal species and possibly humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of PBV in faecal samples from various animal species in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic samples from calves (cattle and buffalo), goats, pigs, dogs and poultry were collected for analysis. Methods: A total of 150 faecal samples, including diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic samples, were collected from calves (cattle and buffalo), goats, pigs, dogs and poultry. Faecal suspensions were prepared and RNA extraction was performed. Both RNA-PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) and PCR techniques were employed to detect PBV, with PCR also used for Rotavirus detection. Various primer sets targeting the RdRp gene of segment 2 were utilized for PBV detection, while specific primers were applied for Rotavirus detection. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on selected samples to characterize viral genetic similarity. Result: Among the 150 faecal samples, 4.0% (6/150) were positive for PBV by RNA-PAGE, with three buffalo and three dog samples displaying a three-band pattern. RT-PCR using different primer sets revealed a 7.33% (11/150) prevalence of PBV, with buffalo and goats showing the highest rates. Co-infection of PBV and Rotavirus was observed in some samples, suggesting possible interactions between these viruses. Nucleotide identities of the goat isolate S14 (GenBank OP866965) with other PBV sequences in GenBank ranged from 93.40% to 95.73%.