Novel Lyssaviruses Isolated from Bats in Russia

Abstract

Two new rabies-related viruses were discovered in Russia during 2002. Viruses were isolated from bats in Eastern Siberia near Baikal Lake and in the western Caucasus Mountains. After preliminary antigenic and genetic characterization, we found that both viruses should be considered as new putative lyssavirus genotypes.

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for rabies virus detection

“…Recent findings of new bat lyssaviruses throughout the world are showing the importance of molecular methodologies used for diagnosis and for characterization of Lyssavirus genus as well (Botvinkin et al, 2003). Our study, in agreement with previous studies performed in Brazil, shows valuable contribution of molecular analysis methods for rabies virus diagnosis, justifying the implementation of a RT-PCR as a methodology in routine rabies diagnosis in Brazil.…”

“…The comparison between sequences and segments of different lyssaviruses and among samples of the Pasteur Virus strain (PVS) enabled the identification of preserved regions inside of the Lyssavirus genome, allowing the design of primers able to amplify the viral nucleoprotein, glycoprotein and the pseudogene (Sacramento et al, 1991;Botvinkin et al, 2003).…”

“…Based on those acquired knowledge, protocols for lyssaviruses identification in clinical specimens were developed (Sacramento et al, 1991;Botvinkin et al, 2003). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of those viruses was performed after amplicons sequencing (Ito et al, 2001;Botvinkin et al, 2003).…”

“…Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of those viruses was performed after amplicons sequencing (Ito et al, 2001;Botvinkin et al, 2003).…”

The challenge of new and emerging lyssaviruses

“…Four additional rabiesrelated viruses have recently been isolated from bats in Eurasia: Aravan virus, Khujand virus, Irkut virus and West Caucasian Bat Virus (WCBV) [12,13]. These have been proposed as new members of the Lyssavirus genus.…”