Antigenic characterisation of lyssaviruses in South Africa
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Date
Authors
Ngoepe, Chuene Ernest
Fehlner-Gardiner, Christine
Wandeler, A.I. (Alexander I.)
Sabeta, Claude Taurai
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Open Journals
Abstract
There are at least six Lyssavirus species that have been isolated in Africa, which include classical
rabies virus, Lagos bat virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage virus, Shimoni bat virus and Ikoma
lyssavirus. In this retrospective study, an analysis of the antigenic reactivity patterns of
lyssaviruses in South Africa against a panel of 15 anti-nucleoprotein monoclonal antibodies
was undertaken. A total of 624 brain specimens, collected between 2005 and 2009, confirmed as
containing lyssavirus antigen by direct fluorescent antibody test, were subjected to antigenic
differentiation. The lyssaviruses were differentiated into two species, namely rabies virus
(99.5%) and Mokola virus (0.5%). Furthermore, rabies virus was further delineated into two
common rabies biotypes in South Africa: canid and mongoose. Initially, it was found that the
canid rabies biotype had two reactivity patterns; differential staining was observed with just
one monoclonal antibody. This difference was likely to have been an artefact related to sample
quality, as passage in cell culture restored staining. Mongoose rabies viruses were more
heterogeneous, with seven antigenic reactivity patterns detected. Although Mokola viruses
were identified in this study, prevalence and reservoir host species are yet to be established.
These data demonstrate the usefulness of monoclonal antibody typing panels in lyssavirus
surveillance with reference to emergence of new species or spread of rabies biotypes to new
geographic zones.
Description
Keywords
Lyssaviruses, South Africa, Rabies virus, Lagos bat virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage virus, Shimoni bat virus, Ikoma lyssavirus
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Ngoepe, E., Fehlner-Gardiner, C., Wandeler, A. & Sabeta, C., 2014, ‘Antigenic characterisation of lyssaviruses in South Africa’, Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 81(1), Art. #711, 9 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/ojvr.v81i1.711.