A retrospective review of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis queries, South Africa, 2016­2019

Background: The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICDs) of South Africa (SA) provides technical support to healthcare workers (HCWs) with regard to infectious diseases through the NICD clinician hotline. Queries to the hotline are often about rabies prophylaxis. An analysis of these queries may help to identify knowledge gaps amongst HCWs regarding prevention of rabies in humans in SA. Methods: A retrospective descriptive review was conducted to analyse rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) queries received by the NICD from 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2019. Results: A total of 4655 queries were received by the NICD clinician hotline for the study period, of which 2461 pertained to rabies PEP (52.87%). The largest number of calls were placedby HCWs (n = 2313/2437; 94.9%). Queries originated mainly from Gauteng (n = 912/2443; 37.3%) and KwaZulu-Natal (n = 875/2443; 35.8%) provinces. A total of 50 different types of animals were related to exposures involving humans. Dogs (67.7%) and cats (11.8%) were the animals most frequently reported and exposure category III was most common (88.6%). Approximately equal numbers of callers were advised active management of administering rabies PEP and conservative management of withholding PEP. This did not seem to be affected by the exposure category related to the call. Conclusion: This analysis shows the ongoing demand by HCWs for technical support regarding patient management following potential exposure to rabies. Gaps in HCWs rabies knowledge provide unique learning points on guiding training to achieve the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

Educação em saúde para prevenção da raiva humana / Health education for prevention of human rabies / Educación en salud para prevención de la rabia humana

A raiva é uma antropozoonose viral que se desenvolve de forma progressiva e aguda podendo apresentar até 100% de letalidade. O seu agente etiológico é o vírus rábico do gênero Lyssavirus pertencente à família Rhabdoviridae. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo divulgar informações acerca da ocorrência da raiva em humanos em virtude da sua expressiva importância para saúde pública e analisar a percepção da população sobre a raiva humana, de forma a obter dados relacionados a conhecimentos básicos sobre a doença. Para isso, foi criada uma página informativa denominada "@contraraiva_" na rede social Instagram para a realização de postagens interativas sobre o tema abordado, e uso de um questionário criado a partir da plataforma Google Forms em diferentes mídias sociais para a obtenção e coleta de dados. Foram obtidas 1.075 respostas, provenientes de diferentes localidades. O questionário alcançou todas as regiões brasileiras, todos 26 estados e o Distrito Federal. As informações publicadas pela página criada ajudaram a sanar dúvidas relacionadas aos principais aspectos da doença. Os dados obtidos a partir do questionário contribuem para o planejamento de ações voltadas para a educação em saúde de forma mais estratégica, visando contribuir para os pontos em que a população tem menos conhecimentos.(AU)

Rabies is a viral anthropozoonosis that is developed in a progressive and acute way and can present up to 100% lethality. Its etiologic agent is the rabies virus of the Lyssavirus gene belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family. This study aimed at disseminating information about the occurrence of rabies in humans due to its expressive importance for public health, and at analyzing the population perception on human rabies in order to obtain data related to basic knowledge about the disease. For that purpose, an information page called "@ contraraiva _" was created on the social network Instagram for providing interactive posts on the topic, and a questionnaire was created from the Google Forms platform on different social media to obtain and collect data. A total of 1,075 responses were obtained from different locations. The questionnaire included all Brazilian regions, all 26 states and the Federal District. The information published on the created page helped to clarify doubts related to the main aspects of the disease. The data obtained from the questionnaire contribute towards the planning of actions aimed at health education in a more strategic way, aiming at contributing to the points where the population is less knowledgeable.(AU)

La rabia es una antropozoonosis viral que se desarrolla de forma progresiva y aguda y puede presentar hasta un 100% de letalidad. Su agente etiológico es el virus de la rabia del género Lyssavirus perteneciente a la familia Rhabdoviridae. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo difundir informaciones sobre la ocurrencia de la rabia en humanos en virtud de su importancia expresiva para la salud pública, y analizar la percepción de la población sobre la rabia humana, con el fin de obtener datos relacionados a los conocimientos básicos sobre la enfermedad. Para ello, se creó una página de información denominada "@ contraraiva _" en la red social Instagram para realizar publicaciones interactivas sobre el tema abordado, y utilizar un cuestionario creado a partir de la plataforma Google Forms en diferentes redes sociales para la obtención y recolección de datos. Se obtuvieron 1.075 respuestas de diferentes lugares. El cuestionario llegó a todas las regiones brasileñas, a los 26 estados y al Distrito Federal. Las informaciones publicadas en el sitio web creado, ayudaron a sanar dudas relacionadas a los principales aspectos de la enfermedad. Los datos obtenidos del cuestionario contribuyen a la planificación de acciones orientadas a la educación para la salud de forma más estratégica, con el objetivo de contribuir a los puntos donde la población tiene menos conocimientos.(AU)

Possible Transmission of Irkut Virus from Dogs to Humans / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Lyssaviruses, including Rabies virus, Duvenhage virus, European bat lyssavirus 1, European bat lyssavirus 2, Australian bat lyssavirus, and Irkut virus (IRKV), have caused human fatalities, but infection of IRKV in dogs has not been previously reported. In China, a dead dog that previously bit a human was determined to be infected with IRKV. Pathogenicity tests revealed that IRKVs can cause rabies-like disease in dogs and cats after laboratory infection. The close relationship between humans and pets, such as dogs and cats, may generate a new spillover-spreading route for IRKV infection. Therefore, additional attention should be paid to trans-species infection of IRKV between bats and dogs or dogs and humans through investigation of the prevalence and circulation patterns of IRKV in China.

Epidemiologia descritiva da raiva dos herbívoros notificados no estado do Paraná entre 1977 e 2012 / Epidemiology of rabies in large animals of Parana, Brazil, from 1977 to 2012

Realizou-se estudo epidemiológico descritivo da raiva dos herbívoros no estado do Paraná entre os anos de 1977 e 2012. Os casos confirmados de raiva e o total de amostras de encéfalo encaminhadas para o diagnóstico foram distribuídos por espécie, por ano, por meses, por mesorregião geográfica e por municípios, aplicando-se o teste de Qui-quadrado para verificar se havia associação com esses fatores. Modelo probabilístico foi ajustado à série histórica para verificação de padrões cíclico ou sazonal. Comprovou-se que a raiva é uma doença endêmica no PR, com ocorrência variável entre os anos, sem padrão sazonal e com ciclicidade aparente a cada 18 anos, acometendo, sobretudo, bovinos (86,9%) e equídeos (11,3%). Verificou-se grande difusão no estado (47,6% dos municípios), e a maior expansão geográfica aconteceu na última década. As áreas de ocorrência maior foram as mesorregiões Centro Oriental e de Curitiba, seguidas por Norte Pioneiro e Oeste. O número de casos de raiva por município se correlacionou, ainda que fracamente, com o número de abrigos de Desmodus rotundus (r=0,469; p<0,0001). Sugere-se que a imunização anual de bovinos e equídeos passe a ser adotada nas áreas de maior ocorrência (mesorregiões Centro Oriental e de Curitiba) e encorajada nas de ocorrência intermediária (mesorregiões Norte Pioneiro e Oeste).(AU)

A descriptive epidemiological survey of rabies in herbivorous reared in the state of Parana, Brazil, was carried out from 1977 to 2012. The positive cases and the total number of brain samples processed for diagnostic purposes were distributed according to species, year, month, geographical region and municipality. Chi-square test was used to verify if rabies was associated to these factors. Probabilistic model was applied to historical series in order to verify cyclic and seasonal patterns. In Parana, rabies is an endemic disease with variable yearly occurrence, without seasonal pattern and with a possible cyclic pattern every 18 years. Cattle (86.9%) and equides (11.3%) were mainly affected. Rabies was registered in 47.6% of all municipalities, indicating a great spread of this disease in Parana, mainly during the last decade. Middlewest and Curitiba regions, followed by Pioneer North and West regions, were the areas of most occurrence. The number of cases per municipality was weakly correlated with the number of shelters for Desmodus rotundus (r=0.469; p<0.0001). Therefore, we suggest that annual immunization of cattle and equides should be applied in the high occurrence areas (Middlewest and Curitiba regions) and encouraged in intermediate occurrence areas (Pioneer North and West regions).(AU)

Construction of a Recombinant Replication-defective Human Adenovirus Type 5 Expressing G Protein of Irkut Virus and the Immune Test in Mouse / 病毒学报

To develop a safe and effective new generation vaccine for IRKV-THChina12 prevention, we constructed a non-replicative recombinant human adenovirus carrying the IRKV-THChina12 G gene, named as rAd5-IRKV-G. The IRKV-THChina12 G protein expressed by the recombinant human adenovirus in 293AD cells was detected by western blot and indirect immunofluorescence test. To evaluate the immunogenicity of the recombinant, mice were immunized with rAd5-IRKV-G by intramuscular (i. m.) or intraperitoneal (i. p.) route and with non-exogenous gene expressing wild type adenovirus wt-rAd5 as a control. Results showed that the rAd5-IRKV-G could induce continuous and statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) anti-IRKV neutralizing antibody (NA) production in immunized mice by i. m. or i. p. route. In particular, no significant difference (P > 0.05) of the NA titers between the two administration routes were observed, that provides an alternative choice for animal immunization method in the future application.

Kinetics of rabies antibodies as a strategy for canine active immunization

Rabies, a zoonosis found throughout the globe, is caused by a virus of the Lyssavirus genus. The disease is transmitted to humans through the inoculation of the virus present in the saliva of infected mammals. Since its prognosis is usually fatal for humans, nationwide public campaigns to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies aim to break the epidemiological link between the virus and its reservoirs in Brazil. During 12 months we evaluated the active immunity of dogs first vaccinated (booster shot at 30 days after first vaccination) against rabies using the Fuenzalida-Palácios modified vaccine in the urban area of Botucatu city, São Pauto state, Brazil. Of the analyzed dogs, 54.7% maintained protective titers (≥0.5 IU/mL) for 360 days after the first vaccination whereas 51.5% during all the study period. The present results suggest a new vaccination schedule for dogs that have never been vaccinated. In addition to the first dose of vaccine, two others are recommended: the second at 30 days after the first and the third dose at 180 days after the first for the maintenance of protective titers during 12 months.

Encefalitis rábica humana secundaria a mordedura por gato infectado por un virus rábico de origen silvestre / Encephalitis Due to Rabies Secondary to the Bite of a Cat Infected With a Rabies Virus of Silvester Origen

La rabia es una enfermedad viral zoonótica, producida por un virus del genero Lyssavirus de la Familia Rhabdoviridae, cuya principal fuente de transmisión es la mordedura de animales a humanos. Es una enfermedad fatal y se han descrito casos por ciclos urbanos y rurales. El caso que reportamos es el de una joven de 22 años, quien ingresa por un cuadro de dolor de características neuropáticas en el miembro superior derecho, con antecedente de mordedura por un gato de varios meses atrás, hospitalizada por el servicio de Neurología por sospecha de lesión de plejo braquial, con resonancia de columna cervical y líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) normales, quien posteriormente presenta deterioro clínico tórpido a un proceso encefalopático que en pocos días la llevó a la muerte. Se confirmó que la paciente presentó una encefalitis por un virus de rabia. Expondremos cómo fue el manejo de la paciente y todos los nexos epidemiológicos.

Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease, caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus of the Rhabdoviridae family. Its main source is transmission from animals to humans bite. The disease is fatal and has been reported to occur in rural and urban cycles. This reported case is a 22-year old, who was admitted with symptoms of neuropathic pain in the right arm, with a history of being bitten by a cat a few months earlier. The patient was hospitalized in the Neurology Department for suspected brachial plexopathy, and normal spinal MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were found. The patient subsequently presented encephalopathic decline that resulted in death within a few days. It was confirmed that the patient had encephalitis due to the rabies virus. We present the management of the patient and all epidemiological links.

Transmisión del virus de la rabia entre murciélagos urbanos del departamento del Valle del Cauca, Colombia, 1999-2008 / Rabies virus transmission among urban bats in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, 1999-2008

Introducción. La intromisión humana en ecosistemas silvestres ha provocado cambios de comportamiento en los murciélagos, con la consecuente invasión a viviendas, convirtiéndolos en un factor de riesgo para la transmisión de la rabia a humanos y mascotas. Objetivos. Determinar en el departamento del Valle del Cauca, las asociaciones entre hábitos de comportamiento y transmisión de rabia entre murciélagos y su significado epidemiológico con énfasis en riesgo para la población humana. Materiales y métodos. Durante el periodo de diciembre 1999 a junio 2008, fueron capturados 1.321 murciélagos por el programa de vigilancia de rabia en el departamento del Valle del Cauca. El diagnóstico de rabia se hizo por inmunofluorescencia directa e inoculación en ratones, utilizando tejido encefálico de los murciélagos capturados. La tipificación viral se hizo por inmunofluorescencia indirecta usando anticuerpos monoclonales. Resultados. Se detectaron dos ejemplares de Eptesicus brasiliensis positivos para rabia en los años 2000 y 2002, y dos casos más en especímenes de E. brasiliensis y Molossus molossus, en el 2008. No se detectó el virus de la rabia en E. brasiliensis ni en M. molossus, ni en ninguna otra especie durante los años 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 y 2007. Se encontraron distintas especies de murciélagos, como E. brasiliensis, M. molossus, Myotis nigricans, Glossophaga soricina, Noctiliio albiventris y Carollia perspicillata, compartiendo refugios en casas. Se detectaron virus rábicos de las variantes antigénicas 3 y 4, en murciélagos M. molossus y E. brasiliensis. Conclusiones. La presencia en el Departamento del Valle del Cauca de las variantes antigénicas 3 y 4 del virus rábico en murciélagos no hematófagos de hábitos caseros, probablemente, ha sido facilitada por la deforestación de los hábitats naturales de estas especies; además, el estilo de arquitectura urbana provee un hábitat artificial que posibilita el contacto físico entre las especies y la transmisión de rabia entre ellas. Ante las dificultades para controlar la rabia en murciélagos y la falta de herramientas adecuadas, la vigilancia continua de la enfermedad en los murciélagos, basada en el diagnóstico y la tipificación de los virus rábicos por laboratorio, en de los asentamientos humanos y alrededor de ellos, la vacunación preventiva en animales domésticos y de producción, así como la educación de la comunidad (para la concientización del riesgo y la recolección pasiva de muestras para su análisis), se convierten en las mejores herramientas para prevenir la transmisión a humanos.

Introduction: Human activities in the wild have recently increased the changes in bat behavior and invasion of houses, turning these animals into a health threat for humans and pets. Objectives: To determine the associations between behavioral habits and rabies transmission among bats in the department of Valle del Cauca and to assess the risk the existence of rabies in house dwelling bats presents for human health. Material and methods: In the period from December 1999 to June 2008, 1,321 hematophagous and non-hematophagous bats were captured for rabies epidemiological surveillance in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Rabies was diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence test on the brain tissue of collected animals. Viral typification was achieved by indirect immunofluorecense using rabies specific monoclonal antibodies. Results: Four bats were positive for rabies: two Eptesicus brasiliensis in 2000 and 2002, and an Eptesicus brasiliensis and a Molossus molossus in 2008. During the years 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 no rabies virus was found in E. brasiliensis and M. molossus or in any other bat species. Various species including E. brasiliensis, M. molossus, Myotis nigricans, Glossophaga soricina, Noctiliio albiventris and Carollia perspicillata were found sharing shelters in houses. Rabies virus antigenic variants 3 and 4 were found in M. molossus and E. brasiliensis bats only. Conclusions: The presence and potential spread of rabies antigenic variants 3 and 4 to cities have very likely been facilitated by the perturbation of the natural habitats of non-hematophagous bats in the department of Valle del Cauca; the urban architecture style also provides an artificial habitat which allows for physical contact and rabies transmission among the species. Seeing the difficulty for controlling rabies in bats and the lack of adequate tools, intensive laboratory based rabies surveillance in and around human settlements, preventive vaccination for house and production animals, and education for the community (in relation to increasing the awareness concerning the risk, and passive recollection of samples for analysis) represent major preventive strategies against bat rabies transmission to humans and pets.

Molecular characterizations of phosphoprotein of rabies virus circulating in Korea / 대한수의학회지

Rabies is a major zoonotic disease that causes approximately 55,000 human deaths worldwide on an annual basis. The nucleocapsid protein and glycoprotein genes of the Korean rabies virus (RABV) have been subjected to molecular and phylogenetic analyses. Although the phosphoprotein (P) has several important functions in viral infection and pathogenicity, the genetic characterizations of the P of Korean RABV isolates have not yet been established. In the present study, we conducted genetic analyses of P genes of 24 RABV isolates circulating in the Republic of Korea (hereafter, Korea) from 2008 to 2011. This study revealed that the P genes of Korean RABVs are genetically similar to those of RABV strains of lyssavirus genotype I including V739 (dogs, Korea), NNV-RAB-H (humans, India), NeiMeng925 (raccoon dogs, China), and RU9.RD (raccoon dogs, Russia). Among Korean isolates, the RABV P genes showed low variability in the variable domains among Korean isolates; they had specific consensus sequences and amino acid substitutions capable of identifying geographic characteristics and retained specific sequences thought to be important for viral function. These results provide important genetic characteristics and epidemiological information pertaining to the P gene of the Korean RABV.

Brote de rabia urbana transmitida por perros en el distrito de Santa Marta, Colombia, 2006-2008 / Outbreak of urban rabies transmitted by dogs in Santa Marta, northern Colombia

Introducción. En el distrito de Santa Marta ocurrió un brote de rabia urbana entre abril de 2006 y enero de 2008, con cuatro casos fatales en humanos y 28 en perros. Objetivos. Describir el brote, las técnicas de diagnóstico de laboratorio y las acciones de control de foco empleadas. Medir el impacto de la vacunación antirrábica canina en términos de seroconversión de anticuerpos neutralizantes. Discutir el significado epidemiológico y las implicaciones en salud pública. Materiales y métodos. Los casos se diagnosticaron por inmunofluorescencia directa, prueba biológica en ratón e inmunohistoquímica. La tipificación viral se hizo por inmunofluorescencia indirecta. Las acciones de control consistieron en un censo canino, vacunación y tratamientos antirrábicos a la población expuesta, vacunación canina y felina, y educación comunitaria. La seroconversión fue investigada por medio de la prueba ELISA de captura. Resultados. La variante antigénica 1 se caracterizó en todos los casos. Se observó seropositividad en 77% de los perros vacunados y protección serológica contra la rabia, en 47%. No se observaron diferencias de la respuesta humoral entre sexos de los perros, pero sí existieron diferencias de los porcentajes de perros protegidos entre las comunas del distrito. Conclusiones. Este brote de rabia ha sido el de mayor magnitud en una ciudad colombiana, según los datos oficiales. Fue causado por perros, lo cual reitera la amenaza que aún representa la rabia urbana para la salud pública, a pesar de la existencia de vacunas eficientes. El control del brote se logró 20 meses después del primer caso en perros y 14 meses después de haberse iniciado la primera vacunación masiva en animales. Es necesario implementar y mantener acciones para el control de la rabia urbana y evitar su impacto en los humanos.

Introduction. An urban rabies outbreak occurred in the District of Santa Marta between April 2006 and January 2008, which resulted in the deaths of 4 humans and 28 dogs. Objectives. Three objectives were entertained—first, the diagnostic laboratory techniques were described as well as the rabies control actions taken; second, the impact of anti-rabies dog vaccination was assessed in terms of neutralizing antibody seroconversion; and third, the epidemiological significance and public health implications of the outbreak were examined. Materials and methods. Rabies diagnosis was achieved by direct immunofluorescence, inoculation of mice and immunohistochemistry. Typing of the virus was achieved by indirect immunofluorescence. Control activities included a dog population census, vaccination and treatments for persons exposed to rabies, mass vaccination of dogs and cats, and initiation of a community education program. Seroconversion was investigated by capture ELISA. Results. Antigenic variant 1 was detected in all cases. Of vaccinated dogs, 77% were seropositive, and 47% were seroprotected against rabies. No differences were found in the humoral response between dog gender; however significant differences in dog seroprotection were discovered between localized comunities in Santa Marta. Conclusions. The 2006-2008 urban rabies outbreak was the largest reported in a city in Colombia. It was caused by rabid dogs, and demonstrated that these animals are still a threat for human health despite the existence of efficient rabies vaccines. The control of the outbreak was achieved 20 months after the first rabies case in dogs, and 14 months after the initiation of the first mass vaccination of animals. The necessity of implementation and maintenance of rabies control strategies is underlined for minimizing human risk.

Caracterização genética de vírus da raiva isolados de bovinos e eqüínos no período de 1997-2002 em área epidêmica do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Genetic characterization of rabies virus isolated from cattle and equine between 1997 and 2001 in an epidemic area in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

A história biogeográfica da raiva pode ser reconstruída utilizando dados moleculares. Este trabalho descreve a caracterização do Vírus da Raiva(RABV) que circula na população do morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus em uma área epidêmica do Estado de São Paulo e que é transmitido para herbívoros de interesse econômico como, por exemplo, os bovinos e eqüínos. Os genes N e G dos vírus foram seqüenciados e as árvores filogenéticas geradas são topologicamente concordantes. Três agrupamentos filogenéticos (clusters) foram identificados na área epidêmica e foram designados como RD1, RD2 e RD3. Os resultados mostram que a origem dos clusters RD1 e RD2 são diferentes e que a epidemia da área RD3 é o resultado da expansão da área RD2. As seqüências genéticas dos dois genes analisados neste estudo foram comparadas entre si e conseqüências obtidas no GenBank apresentando alta identidade (> 98%), mantidas no tempo e espaço. Os resultados sugerem que as linhagens do RABV que circulam em D. rotundus na costa atlântica da América do Sul são altamente conservadas.

Caracterização genética de vírus da raiva isolados de bovinos e eqüínos no período de 1997-2002 em área epidêmica do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

A história biogeográfica da raiva pode ser reconstruída utilizando dados moleculares. Este trabalho descreve a caracterização do Vírus da Raiva(RABV) que circula na população do morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus em uma área epidêmica do Estado de São Paulo e que é transmitido para herbívoros de interesse econômico como, por exemplo, os bovinos e eqüínos. Os genes N e G dos vírus foram seqüenciados e as árvores filogenéticas geradas são topologicamente concordantes. Três agrupamentos filogenéticos (clusters) foram identificados na área epidêmica e foram designados como RD1, RD2 e RD3. Os resultados mostram que a origem dos clusters RD1 e RD2 são diferentes e que a epidemia da área RD3 é o resultado da expansão da área RD2. As seqüências genéticas dos dois genes analisados neste estudo foram comparadas entre si e conseqüências obtidas no GenBank apresentando alta identidade (> 98%), mantidas no tempo e espaço. Os resultados sugerem que as linhagens do RABV que circulam em D. rotundus na costa atlântica da América do Sul são altamente conservadas.

[Bat lyssavirus in Thailand]

A study of bat lyssavirus survey was done in Thailand from 2001 to 2003. A total of 932 bats of 11 species were captured in 8 provinces for blood collection and testing for neutralizing antibodies against rabies virus (RABV), Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) and broader panel of other lyssaviruses (Irkut, Aravan and Khujand). All Thai bat samples were negative to RABV Sixteen samples of 394 with sufficient volume of serum had detectable neutralizing antibodies against Irkut, Aravan, Khujand and ABL viruses. Another 13 samples were also found to have antibody to ABLV. However, due to insufficient volume, further analysis to other lyssaviruses could not be performed. Nevertheless, this showed that the prevalence of lyssavirus infection in Thai bats could be as high as 7.3% (29/396). The present study showed that natural occurrence of lyssavirus antibodies found in Thai bats were related to newer putative lyssavirus genotype(s) other than those previously described. These data also suggest that several lyssaviruses are in circulation throughout Thailand as well as other Asian countries, such as in the Philippines, Central Asia, and in certain parts of Russia. The present study and preparation of this article was supported by grants from the Thailand Research Fund and the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand.

Immunohistochemical recognition of a wide spectrum of lyssavirus in formalin-fixed tissues by one monoclonal antibody

Una tinción de inmunoperoxidasa indirecta (complejo avidina-biotina)usando el anticuerpo monoclonal 5DF12-3B6, que reconoce la proteína N del virus de la rabia, se usó para detectar antígeno del virus de la rabia en muestras de tejidos de 15 especies animales y una muestra humana infectadas con rabia naturalmente o experiementalmente. Este anticuerpo monoclonal reconoció todas las 16 cepas de virus de la rabia que se usaron en este estudio, como también lyssavirs relacionados a rabia como Duvenhage, Lagos Bat y Mokola. La muestra infectada com Mokola inicialmente sólo demonstró una tinción débil, la que se hizo más fuerte cundo se eliminó el tratamiento con Pronase E. La tinción es sensible y específica, identificando correctamente al antígeno de rabia en todas las muestras usadas con excepción de una muestra (37/38) que era débilmente positiva por IFA y muy pequeña. Además no se detectó tinción específica en las muestras negativas (23/23). La utilidad del método de tinción de inmunohistoquímica descrito se base en la habilidad de un anticuerpo monoclonal para reconocer un amplio espectro de lyssavirus en tejidos fijados en formalina

Analysis of Brazilian rabies virus isolates with monoclonal antibodies to lyssavirus antigens

Brazilian rabies virus isolates from different host species obtained from different geographical areas in the country were analysed in their reactivity profile with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) prepared against members of the Lyssavirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae. The panel included fourteen Mabs prepared against rabies-related viruses and two Mabs prepared to the CVS-31 rabies vaccine strain. Isolates were multiplied in mice and brain impressions examined by indirect immunoflurescence. Epitopes common to lyssaviruses were identified in all rabies viruses examined. differential patterns of reactivity were obtained with ten of the sixteen Mabs. Two Mabs reacted only with viruses from cattle and horses with the same reactivity profile, suggesting a common origin for the viruses, most likely vampire bats.