ABSTRACT
Rabies is acutely fatal encephalitis caused by a neurotropic virus. This virus belongs to the family of Rhabdoviridae and genus of Lyssavirus. The virus is almost always transmitted to human through infected mammalian saliva. Rabies is inoculated to a wound by an infected animal bite. Since infection is established in the CNS, the outcome is almost always fatal. According to the outstanding role of vaccination against rabies in animals, as well as post-exposure treatment regimen in human, production of cell-cultured rabies vaccine is the most common interest of researchers. Two BHK-rabies vaccines, one made in the Pasteur Institute of Iran and two in Schering-Plough Animal Health of Madrid, Spain have been tested on 12 dogs divided into two groups. Sera were taken monthly over 18 months. To evaluate the titer of the rabies-neutralizing antibody, these sera were analyzed by the rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test [RFFIT] in the end of each month. Both study groups showed a sufficient immunogenic response without any significant difference at least one year after vaccination. With respect to the effective immunization of rabies vaccines, their annual injections would be sufficient. According to the results, at the end of the study [18th month] serum titer in only one dog [No.7] was less than protective level. Two animals in group one [No.2 and No. 5] also had serum titers less than protective level. Mean of post vaccination antibody titer were not different in either groups [P=0.35]
ABSTRACT
Rabies has been reported in all provinces and cities of Iran, although there has been no molecular study regarding different groups and subgroups of rabies virus by phosphoprotein gene. In this study, firstly, 48 and then 85 recent rabies isolates recovered from cases reported throughout Iran identified the evolutionary origins by molecular method of phosphoprotein gene region. All the suspected samples from all over the country has been tested by IF method, then all the positive cases have undergone grouping and sub-grouping by molecular tests of phosphoprotein gene. Three groups [I, II, III] and subgroups have been shown in different parts of country by phylogenetic analysis. Khorassan province has the highest rate of diversity of groups and subgroups [all the 3 groups have been identified in this province], which might be the origin of infection in neighboring provinces and all over the country respectively. In this study, the results of different samples obtained from cities and provinces [which could be the complement of Canadian results] confirmed the emergence of 3 different groups of rabies virus. In addition, the widely dispersion of mentioned groups and sub-groups in all provinces could be shown