Molecular epidemiology investigation of rabies virus nucleoprotein genes in China / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between the distribution of rabies virus and genetic variation, the genetic characterization and variation of rabies virus strains in China were analyzed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The downstream 720 nucleotides of Nucleoprotein (N) gene coding region of the rabies specimens from different areas and host animals were sequenced, and then homology and phylogenesis were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nucleotide similarities of 34 N gene sequences were 87.5%-100%, and the deduced amino acid similarities were 93.3%-99.6%. Most of the nucleotide variations were synonymous mutations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 34 rabies specimens all belong to genotype I and are of regional characteristic. The rabies viruses in high-incidence areas in China are of various origins and present the transmission tendency from high-incidence areas to surrounding regions. There may be cross-infection and mutual spread of rabies virus between wildlife and domestic animals as well as native and foreign animals.</p>