Report of isolations of unusual lyssaviruses (rabies and Mokola virus) identified retrospectively from Zimbabwe.
Rabies isolates that had been stored between 1983 and 1997 were examined with a panel of anti-lyssavirus nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies. Out of 56 isolates from cats and various wild carnivore species, 1 isolate of Mokola virus and 5 other non-typical rabies viruses were identified. The Mokola virus isolate was diagnosed as rabies in 1993 from a cat. Genetic analysis of this isolate suggests that it falls in a distinct subgroup of the Mokola virus genotype. The 5 non-typical rabies viruses were isolated from honey badgers (Mellivora capensis), African civets (Civettictis civetta) and an unidentified mongoose (Herpestidae). These isolates are representatives of rarely-reported wildlife-associated strains of rabies, probably maintained by the slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea). These findings indicate that both Mokola virus and the mongoose-associated variant may be more common in Zimbabwe than is apparent from routine surveillance.
Bingham
J
J
Rabies Unit, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Africa.
Javangwe
S
S
Sabeta
C T
CT
Wandeler
A I
AI
Nel
L H
LH
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002335:Carnivora; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D018114:Lyssavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018353:Rhabdoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D015030:Zimbabwe
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral