title: Is the new variant RHDV replacing genogroup 1 in Portuguese wild rabbit populations?
abstract: The Lagovirus rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a member of the family Caliciviridae, severely affects European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations by causing rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHDV is subdivided in six genogroups but, more recently, a new RHDV variant with a unique genetic and antigenic profile emerged. We performed a study in rabbits found dead in the field during 2013 and 2014 in Portugal to determine the prevalence of this new variant versus the classical RHDV. Fifty-seven liver samples were screened for the presence of RHDV and positive samples were genotyped. All cases of RHDV infection were caused by the new variant. The only former genogroup circulating in Portugal, G1, was not detected. We hence conclude that the new RHDV variant is replacing G1 in Portugal, probably due to a selective advantage. This sudden and rapid replacement emphasizes the necessity of continued monitoring of wild rabbit populations.
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, InBIO-Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. analopes@cibio.up.pt.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal. jcorreia@fmv.ulisboa.pt.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, InBIO-Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. jabrantes@cibio.up.pt.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abrantes
authors.affiliation: VETNATURA, 1600-176 Lisboa, Portugal. vetnatura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: VETNATURA, 1600-176 Lisboa, Portugal. margarida.ramada@dcv.eu.com.
authors.forename: Margarida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramada
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, InBIO-Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. magalhaes.mjtr@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, InBIO-Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. pcalves@fc.up.pt.
authors.forename: Paulo C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: CIBIO, InBIO-Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal. pjesteves@cibio.up.pt.
authors.forename: Pedro J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Esteves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005838:Genotype; D017929:Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D058974:Phylogeography; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011817:Rabbits; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology