[Molecular epidemiology investigation of rabies virus nucleoprotein genes in China].
OBJECTIVE
To study the relationship between the distribution of rabies virus and genetic variation, the genetic characterization and variation of rabies virus strains in China were analyzed.


METHODS
The downstream 720 nucleotides of Nucleoprotein (N) gene coding region of the rabies specimens from different areas and host animals were sequenced, and then homology and phylogenesis were analyzed.


RESULTS
Nucleotide similarities of 34 N gene sequences were 87.5%-100%, and the deduced amino acid similarities were 93.3%-99.6%. Most of the nucleotide variations were synonymous mutations.


CONCLUSIONS
The 34 rabies specimens all belong to genotype I and are of regional characteristic. The rabies viruses in high-incidence areas in China are of various origins and present the transmission tendency from high-incidence areas to surrounding regions. There may be cross-infection and mutual spread of rabies virus between wildlife and domestic animals as well as native and foreign animals.
Department of Viral Encephalitis, Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Hao
H
Li
Xiao-Yan
XY
Tao
Xiao-Guang
XG
Wang
Yong-Liang
YL
Lei
Hai-Lin
HL
Zhang
Xian-Jun
XJ
Wang
Shu-Jun
SJ
Ding
Hong
H
Zhang
De-Fang
DF
Dai
Rui-Hua
RH
Shen
Qing
Q
Tang
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D011818:Rabies / Q000821:virology*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
D009698:Nucleoproteins; D012367:RNA, Viral