Molecular characterization of cryptically circulating rabies virus from ferret badgers, Taiwan
Journal
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
5
Pages
790-798
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
After the last reported cases of rabies in a human in 1959 and a nonhuman animal in 1961, Taiwan was considered free from rabies. However, during 2012-2013, an outbreak occurred among ferret badgers in Taiwan. To examine the origin of this virus strain, we sequenced 3 complete genomes and acquired multiple rabies virus (RABV) nucleoprotein and glycoprotein sequences. Phylogeographic analyses demonstrated that the RABV affecting the Taiwan ferret badgers (RABV-TWFB) is a distinct lineage within the group of lineages from Asia and that it has been differentiated from its closest lineages, China I (including isolates from Chinese ferret badgers) and the Philippines, 158-210 years ago. The most recent common ancestor of RABV-TWFB originated 91-113 years ago. Our findings indicate that RABV could be cryptically circulating in the environment. An understanding of the underlying mechanism might shed light on the complex interaction between RABV and its host.
Subjects
guanine nucleotide binding protein; matrix protein; peptides and proteins; phosphoprotein; protein m; RNA polymerase; unclassified drug; animal tissue; article; badger; ferret; genetic variability; genomics; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; phylogeny; phylogeography; Rabies virus; sequence analysis; Taiwan; transcription regulation; virus replication; animal; classification; epidemiology; genetics; molecular evolution; molecular genetics; rabies; Rabies virus; virology; virus genome; Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Ferrets; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Phylogeography; Rabies; Rabies virus; Taiwan
Publisher
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Type
journal article