Hsu, Ai-PingAi-PingHsuTseng, Chun-HsienChun-HsienTsengLu, Yi-TaYi-TaLuShih, Yu-HuaYu-HuaShihCHUNG-HSI CHOUChen, Re-ShangRe-ShangChenTsai, Kuo-JungKuo-JungTsaiTu, Wen-JaneWen-JaneTuCliquet, FlorenceFlorenceCliquetHSIANG-JUNG TSAI2020-01-032020-01-0320180916-7250https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/444524https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049211718&doi=10.1292%2fjvms.17-0539&partnerID=40&md5=85a0f72e7725d100b97cc28e8e950306In 2013, the first case of Taiwan ferret badger rabies virus (RABV-TWFB) infection was reported in Formosan ferret badgers, and two genetic groups of the virus were distinguished through phylogenetic analysis. To detect RABV-TWFB using a sensitive nucleic acid-based method, a quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction targeting the conserved region of both genetic groups of RABV-TWFB was developed. This method had a limit of detection (LOD) of 40 RNA copies/reaction and detected viral RNA in brain and ear tissue specimens of infected and dead Formosan ferret badgers and mice with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The mean viral RNA load detected in the ear tissue specimens of ferret badgers ranged from 3.89 × 108 to 9.73 × 108 RNA copies/g-organ, which was 111-fold to 2,220-fold lower than the concentration detected in the brain specimens, but 2,000-fold to 5,000-fold higher than the LOD of the assay. This highly sensitive technique does not require facilities or instruments complying with strict biosafety criteria. Furthermore, it is efficient, safe, and labor-saving as only ear specimens need be sampled. Therefore, it is a promising technique for epidemiological screening of Taiwan ferret badger rabies. © 2018 The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science.Rabies diagnosis; Real-time RT-PCR; Taiwan ferret badger rabies[SDGs]SDG3Animals; Ferrets; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mustelidae; Phylogeny; Rabies; Rabies virus; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Viral; Taiwananimal; Bagg albino mouse; isolation and purification; mouse; Mustela putorius furo; Mustelidae; phylogeny; rabies; Rabies virus; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; Taiwan; veterinary medicine; virologyjournal article10.1292/jvms.17-05392-s2.0-85049211718WOS:000448829500027