Report of isolations of unusual lyssaviruses (rabies and Mokola virus) identified retrospectively from Zimbabwe

J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2001 Jun;72(2):92-4. doi: 10.4102/jsava.v72i2.624.

Abstract

Rabies isolates that had been stored between 1983 and 1997 were examined with a panel of anti-lyssavirus nucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies. Out of 56 isolates from cats and various wild carnivore species, 1 isolate of Mokola virus and 5 other non-typical rabies viruses were identified. The Mokola virus isolate was diagnosed as rabies in 1993 from a cat. Genetic analysis of this isolate suggests that it falls in a distinct subgroup of the Mokola virus genotype. The 5 non-typical rabies viruses were isolated from honey badgers (Mellivora capensis), African civets (Civettictis civetta) and an unidentified mongoose (Herpestidae). These isolates are representatives of rarely-reported wildlife-associated strains of rabies, probably maintained by the slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea). These findings indicate that both Mokola virus and the mongoose-associated variant may be more common in Zimbabwe than is apparent from routine surveillance.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Carnivora*
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / virology
  • Cats
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Lyssavirus / classification*
  • Lyssavirus / immunology
  • Lyssavirus / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • Rabies / epidemiology
  • Rabies / veterinary*
  • Rabies / virology
  • Rabies virus / classification*
  • Rabies virus / immunology
  • Rabies virus / isolation & purification
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / virology
  • Zimbabwe

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral