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Viruses Aug 2020The rabies virus strain Komatsugawa (Koma), which was isolated from a dog in Tokyo in the 1940s before eradication of rabies in Japan in 1957, is known as the only...
The rabies virus strain Komatsugawa (Koma), which was isolated from a dog in Tokyo in the 1940s before eradication of rabies in Japan in 1957, is known as the only existent Japanese field strain (street strain). Although this strain potentially provides a useful model to study rabies pathogenesis, little is known about its genetic and phenotypic properties. Notably, this strain underwent serial passages in rodents after isolation, indicating the possibility that it may have lost biological characteristics as a street strain. In this study, to evaluate the utility of the Koma strain for studying rabies pathogenesis, we examined the genetic properties and in vitro and in vivo phenotypes. Genome-wide genetic analyses showed that, consistent with previous findings from partial sequence analyses, the Koma strain is closely related to a Russian street strain within the Arctic-related phylogenetic clade. Phenotypic examinations in vitro revealed that the Koma strain and the representative street strains are less neurotropic than the laboratory strains. Examination by using a mouse model demonstrated that the Koma strain and the street strains are more neuroinvasive than the laboratory strains. These findings indicate that the Koma strain retains phenotypes similar to those of street strains, and is therefore useful for studying rabies pathogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Genome, Viral; Male; Mice; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies virus; Tokyo; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 32825306
DOI: 10.3390/v12090914 -
Brazilian Journal of Microbiology :... Sep 2020Rabies is an important zoonosis worldwide, and this disease is caused by the rabies virus. Dogs and bat are the major hosts of rabies virus; however, many animals could...
Rabies is an important zoonosis worldwide, and this disease is caused by the rabies virus. Dogs and bat are the major hosts of rabies virus; however, many animals could infect with the rabies virus. By biting or scratching by an infected animal, rabies virus can be transmitted to cattle which is an important domestic animal in animal husbandry. Here, we report a case about a rabies virus (abbreviated JSTZ190314) found in cattle in eastern China in 2019. Our findings suggest that this rabies virus JSTZ190314 was a dog-origin rabies virus and belonged to the Asia clade. Furthermore, we found that this JSTZ190314-like rabies virus has been prevalent in China for more than 13 years and infected six species of animals. Our findings suggested that enhanced surveillance and research of rabies virus infection in bovine populations is needed.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; China; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies virus; Whole Genome Sequencing
PubMed: 32232744
DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00264-7 -
Archives of Virology Jan 2017Cases of canine rabies continue to occur in North and Northeast Brazil, and the number of notifications of rabies cases in wild canids has increased as a result of the...
Cases of canine rabies continue to occur in North and Northeast Brazil, and the number of notifications of rabies cases in wild canids has increased as a result of the expansion of urban areas at the expense of areas with native vegetation. In light of this, we performed molecular characterization of rabies virus isolates from dogs and Cerdocyon thous from various states in North and Northeast Brazil. In all, 102 samples from dogs (n = 56) and Cerdocyon thous (n = 46) collected between 2006 and 2012 were used. The nucleotide sequences obtained for the N gene of rabies virus were analyzed, and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two distinct genetic lineages, one associated with canids and one with bats, and, within the canid cluster, two distinct sublineages circulating among dogs and Cerdocyon thous. In addition, phylogenetic groups associated with geographic region and fourteen cases of interspecific infection were observed among the isolates from canids. Our findings show that analysis of rabies virus lineages isolated from reservoirs such as canids must be constantly evaluated because the mutation rate is high.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Canidae; Cluster Analysis; Dogs; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Phylogeography; Rabies; Rabies virus; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology
PubMed: 27671776
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-3079-1 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Apr 2007Between 1956 and 1977, 4 human cases of rabies virus infection were attributed to aerosolized rabies virus; however, little work has been done to address this topic... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Between 1956 and 1977, 4 human cases of rabies virus infection were attributed to aerosolized rabies virus; however, little work has been done to address this topic since the late 1960s. Employing modern nebulization equipment coupled with serologic, cell culture, and molecular technology, we have continued the investigation into aerosolized rabies virus as a potential route of transmission. Laboratory mice and 2 species of bats were exposed, through aerosol, to 3 variants of rabies virus. All bats survived exposure to aerosolized rabies virus and produced rabies neutralizing antibody. Several mice died of rabies as a result of aerosol exposure. Antibody response was followed for 6 months before animals were given an intramuscular challenge of rabies virus. Poor protection from challenge was afforded in bats, despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies.
Topics: Aerosols; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Cell Line, Tumor; Chiroptera; Genotype; Injections, Intramuscular; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Rabies; Rabies virus; Time Factors
PubMed: 17357050
DOI: 10.1086/512616 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty Dec 2018The injection of rabies immune globulin (RIG) is of the utmost importance in the management of category III exposures to rabies-suspect animals. Because of the high cost...
BACKGROUND
The injection of rabies immune globulin (RIG) is of the utmost importance in the management of category III exposures to rabies-suspect animals. Because of the high cost and limited availability of existing RIG, one possible replacement for RIG is monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the rabies virus (RABV). Consequently, it is necessary to determine the neutralizing activity of the MAbs against rabies viruses, especially street rabies virus. However, the method to detect the neutralizing activity of MAbs against street rabies virus remains undefined.
METHODS
To establish a method for detecting the neutralizing activity of MAbs against street rabies virus, we constructed a library consisting of 12 strains of street RABV from 11 provinces in China. Using this street RABV library and the Reed-Muench formula, we established a method for detecting the neutralizing titer of the MAbs. The reliability and repeatability of the method were evaluated by repeatedly measuring the neutralizing activity of a MAb and a post vaccination serum.
RESULTS
A total of 12 strains of street RABV were chosen for inclusion in the street RABV library, which covered six Chinese lineages (China I-China VI) and grew to high titers in N2A cells (> 10 FFD/ml). On the basis of the library, we constructed the method to detect the neutralizing activity of the MAbs. The results of repeatedly measuring the MAbs and positive serum showed excellent reliability and repeatability of the method established in this study.
CONCLUSIONS
This study established a street RABV library reflecting the epidemiological features of Chinese rabies viruses, which provides a platform for detecting the neutralizing activity of MAbs against rabies viruses circulating in China.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Viral; China; Gene Library; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Neutralization Tests; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies Vaccines; Rabies virus
PubMed: 30514379
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0500-x -
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and... Mar 2019Bats are an important ecological group within ecosystems. The rabies virus is a Lyssavirus, and haematophagous bats are the principal reservoir; however, the virus has...
BACKGROUND
Bats are an important ecological group within ecosystems. The rabies virus is a Lyssavirus, and haematophagous bats are the principal reservoir; however, the virus has also been detected in non-haematophagous bats. The objective was to determine the rabies virus in non-haematophagous bats in the Colombian Caribbean region.
METHODS
In 2017, a cross-sectional study was carried out with a base-risk sampling in twelve geographic zones of the Colombian Caribbean area that included the main ecosystems of two departments. 286 bats were captured, which were euthanized with a pharmacological treatment following the ethical protocols of animal experimentation. The taxonomic identification was done with dichotomous keys. The necropsy was carried out at the capture site, and brain samples were kept in liquid nitrogen. The extraction of the RNA was carried out from the frozen brains with Trizol™; a fragment of 914 bp of the glycoprotein G of the rabies virus was amplified with RT-PCR. The amplicons were sequenced with the Sanger method.
RESULTS
Twenty-three genera of bats were identified, and, in two frugivorous, Artibeus lituratus and Artibeus planirostris, amplicons were obtained and sequenced as the rabies virus.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first evidence of natural infection of the rabies virus in frugivorous bats in the Colombian Caribbean area; this result is important for the surveillance and control of rabies.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Colombia; Disease Reservoirs; Humans; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies virus
PubMed: 30890183
DOI: 10.1186/s12941-019-0308-y -
Virus Genes May 2005In investigation of the genetic characteristics of rabies viruses in Korea, the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the nucleoprotein (N) gene were determined... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
In investigation of the genetic characteristics of rabies viruses in Korea, the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the nucleoprotein (N) gene were determined in four Korean rabies virus strains obtained from dogs and raccoons, and were compared with published sequences for non-Korean rabies viruses. Three Korean rabies virus isolates had identical nucleotide sequences, and the fourth differed at only one nucleotide position. The Korean virus isolates had 84.5-92.0% nucleotide sequence similarity and 94.0-99.2% amino acid sequence similarity with non-Korean rabies virus isolates. In a phylogenetic tree based on partial nucleotide sequences of the N gene, the Korean rabies viruses formed a single cluster closely related to Arctic rabies viruses (FXCAN, 9141RUS, and 94260NEP). However, they were divergent from other Asian rabies viruses (94256SRL, 8677MAL, ChiNo.7, Phil 12301, and Mdn1278).
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Korea; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleoproteins; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies virus; Raccoons; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 15830152
DOI: 10.1007/s11262-005-6777-4 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Aug 1987Rabies virus was isolated by cell culture from the brains of 104 confirmed rabies cases diagnosed by the fluorescent-antibody staining technique in the United States...
Rabies virus was isolated by cell culture from the brains of 104 confirmed rabies cases diagnosed by the fluorescent-antibody staining technique in the United States during 1974-1984. Eighty-seven isolates were obtained from wild-life species, 10 from humans, and seven from domestic animals. These isolates were tested in virus neutralization and immunofluorescence assays using a panel of 34 monoclonal antibodies specific for rabies virus nucleocapsid protein, 44 monoclonal antibodies specific for rabies virus glycoprotein, and two monoclonal antibodies specific for rabies virus nucleocapsid-associated phosphoprotein. Using discriminant analysis, a distinctly different reactivity pattern was revealed between virus isolates from terrestrial (raccoon, skunk) and nonterrestrial (bat) reservoir hosts. The usefulness of this approach for studying the epidemiology of rabies and for predicting the source of infection when this information is unknown is discussed.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Brain; Cells, Cultured; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Rabies virus
PubMed: 3300280
DOI: 10.1093/aje/126.2.298 -
Virus Genes Apr 2013Rabies is enzootic in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Every year, cattle and horses die from rabies that is transmitted by the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. This...
Rabies is enzootic in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Every year, cattle and horses die from rabies that is transmitted by the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus. This paper describes the spread of the rabies virus by the continuous diffusion model using relaxed random walks with BEAST software. Forty-one (41) sequences of gene G from the rabies virus that was isolated from bats and domestic herbivores from several areas of the state between 2006 and 2010 were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree showed three main clusters as well as two sub-clusters under cluster 2. A spatial analysis showed that three strains of the rabies virus spread independently. In general, central Espírito Santo, which is mountainous, was the area where separation of the virus strains occurred. This physical barrier, however, was overcome at some point in time, as samples from different lineages were found in the same microarea.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Cattle; Chiroptera; Herbivory; Horses; Livestock; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeography; Rabies; Rabies virus
PubMed: 23264105
DOI: 10.1007/s11262-012-0866-y -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2013The cryopreservation of rabies virus has been described in detail in the literature. To date, little information is available on the use of cryoprotective agents for...
INTRODUCTION
The cryopreservation of rabies virus has been described in detail in the literature. To date, little information is available on the use of cryoprotective agents for cold preservation of this virus, and the available data focus only on short-term virus preservation. In this study, we investigated the medium-term cryopreservation of samples of rabies virus using different cryopreservation protocols.
METHODS
The cryopreservation protocols for the rabies virus samples were performed at -20°C and were divided according to the variables of time and cryoprotectant type used. The laboratory tests (intracerebral inoculation of mice, viral titration and direct immunofluorescence) were performed at regular intervals (360 and 720 days) to assess the viability of the viral samples according to the different preservation techniques used.
RESULTS
After 1 year of cryopreservation, the fluorescence intensity of intracellular corpuscles of the rabies virus and the median survival time of the mice differed between the positive controls and the treatments with the cryoprotectants. After 2 years, most of the samples subjected to the cryopreservation protocols (including the controls) did not produce fluorescence. However, the virus samples exposed to the cryoprotectant sucrose (68% solution) responded positively in the direct immunofluorescence assay and in the intracerebral inoculation of the mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Medium-term cryopreservation of the rabies virus inactivates the viral sample. However, the cryoprotectant agent sucrose (68%) produces a preservative effect in cryopreserved rabies virus samples.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Mice; Rabies virus
PubMed: 24474007
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0135-2013