Pathogenicity of Taiwan Ferret Badger Rabies Virus in Rodents

Abstract

The outbreaks of Taiwan ferret badger rabies reported in 2013 terminated the “rabies-free” status of Taiwan. Subsequent phylogenetic and divergence analyses have demonstrated that Taiwan ferret badger rabies virus (RABV-TWFB) might have emerged 100 years previously; however, most rabies cases were restricted to the Formosan ferret badger. In this study, pathogenic characteristics of mouse intracranial median lethal dose (MICLD[Formula: see text], median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID[Formula: see text], mortality development patterns, and peripheral infection of RABV-TWFB were evaluated in experimental rodents. The results revealed that RABV-TWFB had low MICLD[Formula: see text] titers, whereas TCID[Formula: see text] titers could not be determined. Compared with the typical street rabies virus, the overall mortality development patterns were later onset and slower progression. RABV-TWFB was unable to produce peripheral infection in the experimental rodents. Taken together, RABV-TWFB was less virulent to experimental rodents than other more typical RABV strains. To provide more appropriate strategies for epidemics management, the pathogenic properties of RABV-TWFB should be further investigated using ferret badgers and sympatric animals as models.