RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Harima, Hayato A1 Sasaki, Michihito A1 Kajihara, Masahiro A1 Gonzalez, Gabriel A1 Simulundu, Edgar A1 Bwalya, Eugene C. A1 Qiu, Yongjin A1 Okuya, Kosuke A1 Isono, Mao A1 Orba, Yasuko A1 Takada, Ayato A1 Hang’ombe, Bernard M. A1 Mweene, Aaron S. A1 Sawa, HirofumiYR 2020 T1 Characterization of mammalian orthoreoviruses isolated from faeces of pigs in Zambia JF Journal of General Virology, VO 101 IS 10 SP 1027 OP 1036 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001476 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2099, AB Mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) has been identified in humans, livestock and wild animals; this wide host range allows individual MRV to transmit into multiple species. Although several interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment events of MRVs among humans, livestock and wildlife have been reported, the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of MRVs in Africa are poorly understood. In this study, we report the first isolation and characterization of MRVs circulating in a pig population in Zambia. In our screening, MRV genomes were detected in 19.7 % (29/147) of faecal samples collected from pigs by reverse transcription PCR. Three infectious MRV strains (MRV-85, MRV-96 and MRV-117) were successfully isolated, and their complete genomes were sequenced. Recombination analyses based on the complete genome sequences of the isolated MRVs demonstrated that MRV-96 shared the S3 segment with a different MRV isolated from bats, and that the L1 and M3 segments of MRV-117 originated from bat and human MRVs, respectively. Our results suggest that the isolated MRVs emerged through genetic reassortment events with interspecies transmission. Given the lack of information regarding MRVs in Africa, further surveillance of MRVs circulating among humans, domestic animals and wildlife is required to assess potential risk for humans and animals., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.001476