Virologic Detection and Molecular Characterization of Rabies Virus in Delta Region, Egypt
Virologic Detection and Molecular Characterization of Rabies Virus in Delta Region, Egypt
Morcos Ibrahim Yanni1* and Eid Elsaid Abdelaziz2
ABSTRACT
Rabies is a fatal worldwide viral disease and contributes to a great economic load in Egypt through the death of animals and control strategy costs. Due to Egypt’s privileged location and friction with neighboring countries and far countries from Europe and Asia throughout the ages, the current research goal is to evaluate the extent of their influence on nucleotide and amino acids variation of rabies virus isolates from the brain tissues of three dogs from 2017 to 2019 at the genetic level of the N and P genes from three governorates of Delta region in Egypt with earlier isolates, locally used vaccinal strains and other used strains internationally. Ten brain tissues from confirmed rabid cases in three governorates; Dakahleya (3), Alexandria (4); and Beheira (3) were diagnosed using viral cell culture and Direct Fluorescent Test (DFT) for the rabies virus. The samples were tested positive by DFT and isolated on baby hamster kidney cell culture. Of them, three confirmed rabies samples were picked to determine their N and P genes by sequencing further (at the level of nucleotide and amino acid). The N and P genes in this study isolates have a great similarity to previous isolates from Egypt as well as adjacent bordering countries. At the N and P genes level, the isolates bear little resemblance to the vaccinal strains (Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth, Pasteur, the China human rabies vaccine strain AG and others at this study) due to the presence of mutation sites. As the P gene plays a role in viral pathogenicity, the detected variance in nucleotide and amino acid identities of the P gene in our local circulating isolates over the years confirmed the anticipation of distinction in the pathogenicity of such isolates. All vaccinal strains have a genetic distance from field Dakahleya, Beheira, and Alexandria isolates (ranging from 88.2% to 88.9% for the China human rabies vaccine AG).Such results of nucleotide identity among Egyptian isolates over the years confirm the unity of their source. The application of strict quarantine measures on imported rabies vaccinated pets in addition to prospective studies on the pathogenicity of local circulating isolates regarding the N and P genes are strongly recommended in the control strategy.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
January 2023
Vol. 11, Iss. 1
