Outbreak Characteristics and Whole-Genome Analysis of the First Domestic G4P[2] Group C Rotavirus Epidemic

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by Group C Rotavirus (RVC) frequently occur in closed populations such as universities and pose a threat to public health. However, the etiological characteristics and genomic features of domestic RVC outbreaks remain largely unclear. This study performed etiological detection and genetic analysis on 32 anal swab samples collected from patients during a university outbreak. Methods Total nucleic acids were extracted from the samples. Group C rotavirus (RVC) was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Whole-genome capture sequencing was performed on PCR-positive samples to determine the viral genotype and analyze its genetic characteristics. Results RVC nucleic acid was detected in 25 out of the 32 samples(78.1%). Using whole-genome capture sequencing technology, complete genomic data were successfully obtained for 13 out of the 25 RVC-positive strains. Genotyping revealed that all 13 outbreak strains (designated as the JNTQ strain) belonged to the G4P[2] genotype. Conclusions This study confirms that the acute gastroenteritis outbreak at the university was caused by the G4P[2] genotype RVC, with a relatively wide infection range. The 13 obtained complete genome sequences confirmed the clonal identity of the outbreak strains, providing crucial data support for precise outbreak tracing and molecular epidemiological studies. This study demonstrates that combining PCR screening with whole-genome sequencing technology during cluster outbreak investigations can efficiently identify pathogens and elucidate transmission chains.</p>