The study investigated the genetic relatedness between bovine and human group A rotaviruses. Ninety four human stool and calf fecal samples (47, each) were collected from different localities in Egypt and tested by rotavirus group A enzyme immunoassay. Only twenty five fecal samples (26.5%) were positive. Viral isolation and RT-PCR amplification of full length VP7 gene was performed for the reacted fecal samples. VP7 genes were sequenced for one isolate each from diarrheic human and calf. Human EGY2012 and bovine EGY2022 rotavirus strains displayed the strongest identity of their VP7 genes [95.3% nucleotide (nt), 97.6% amino acid (aa)]. The antigenic regions A, B, and C of its VP7 genes were analogue. The high homology of two studied strains explained the interspecies transmission and its zoonotic hazard. Further rotavirus P and G genotyping of human and different animal species are needed to study genetic diversity of human rotaviruses in Egypt.

Key words: Egypt, Enzyme immunoassay, Phylogenetic analysis, Rotavirus group A, VP7 Gene