Abstract:
Lagos bat virus (LBV) constitutes genotype (gt) 2 in the Lyssavirus genus. In contrast to the gt1
lyssavirus, rabies virus (RABV), LBV was reported to have markedly reduced levels of peripheral
pathogenicity. However, this opinion was based on a study of one isolate of LBV only and the
reduction in pathogenicity was essentially attributed to the amino-acid substitution at position 333 of glycoprotein ectodomain. In the present study we have demonstrated that peripheral
pathogenicity of representatives of LBV in a murine model is as high as that of RABV.
Comparison of amino-acid substitutions among the viral glycoproteins, demonstrated significant
differences within two antigenic sites between different phylogenetic lineages of LBV. Such
molecular variability potentially contributes to differences in peripheral pathogenicity of
lyssaviruses.
