Comparative studies on the genetic, antigenic and pathogenic characteristics of Bokeloh bat lyssavirus.
Bokeloh bat lyssavirus (BBLV), a novel lyssavirus, was isolated from a Natterer's bat (Myotis nattererii), a chiropteran species with a widespread and abundant distribution across Europe. As a novel lyssavirus, the risks of BBLV to animal and human health are unknown and as such characterization both in vitro and in vivo was required to assess pathogenicity and vaccine protection. Full genome sequence analysis and antigenic cartography demonstrated that the German BBLV isolates are most closely related to European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) and Khujand virus and can be characterized within phylogroup I. In vivo characterization demonstrated that BBLV was pathogenic in mice when inoculated peripherally causing clinical signs typical for rabies encephalitis, with higher pathogenicity observed in juvenile mice. A limited vaccination-challenge experiment in mice was conducted and suggested that current vaccines would afford some protection against BBLV although further studies are warranted to determine a serological cut-off for protection.
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Tobias
T
Nolden
Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Ashley C
AC
Banyard
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Stefan
S
Finke
University of Liverpool, Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool L3 5TQ, UK.|Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Anthony R
AR
Fooks
FLI, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Dennis
D
Hanke
FLI, Institute of Diagnostic Virology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Dirk
D
Höper
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.|Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge, Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Woodham Lane, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
Daniel L
DL
Horton
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Thomas C
TC
Mettenleiter
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Thomas
T
Müller
FLI, Department of Animal Husbandry and Biorisk Management, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Jens P
JP
Teifke
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, Südufer 10, D-17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany.
Conrad M
CM
Freuling
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D018114:Lyssavirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D058974:Phylogeography; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D011818:Rabies / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011819:Rabies Vaccines