Genetic typing of feline rabies virus isolated in greater Bangkok, Thailand.
To study the molecular epidemiology of rabies virus that is prevalent among cats in greater Bangkok, Thailand, a total of 17 rabies virus isolates from cats were characterized and compared with 120 rabies virus isolates from dogs. Analyses were performed on the genetic polymorphism in the rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) gene. Rabies virus N gene of isolates was amplified by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction. The diversity of N gene was revealed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. The rabies virus isolates from cats could be classified into 5 types, designated as Dd I-Hf I, Dd II-Hf II, Dd III-Hf I, Dd IV-Hf I, and Dd IV-Hf III. Type Dd I-Hf I was encountered more frequently than the others. It was apparent that no less than five rabies virus types presented in the areas of Bangkok. Moreover, all five RFLP patterns were typical of those which had been observed in dogs. Our findings suggest that there had been viral transmission between the dogs and the cats.
Kasempimolporn
Songsri
S
The Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (WHO Collaborating Center for Research on Rabies), Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand. qsmiskp@redcross.or.th
Saengseesom
Wachiraporn
W
Tirawatnapong
Thaweesak
T
Puempumpanich
Sununta
S
Sitprija
Visith
V
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002415:Cats; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D004285:Dogs; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D019251:Nucleocapsid / Q000235:genetics*; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins; C099601:nucleocapsid protein, Rabies virus; C027908:endodeoxyribonuclease DdeI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C032229:GANTC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases