This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dec 1, 2008
Brucellosis and confirm the diagnostic problems of S19 vaccination. According to the passages, an... more Brucellosis and confirm the diagnostic problems of S19 vaccination. According to the passages, and the other investigators' findings, we can declare that the new vaccine (RB51) is potentially suitable for being used in the control and prevention program of bovine Brucellosis and its usage has been satisfactory in Iran over these years and is a successful replacement for S19 vaccine.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, Jul 9, 2001
Rabies isolates that had been stored between 1983 and 1997 were examined with a panel of anti-lys... more 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.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, May 21, 2010
Rabies is a growing problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study investigated... more Rabies is a growing problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study investigated dog ecology, vaccination coverage and rabies neutralising antibody levels in 203 randomly selected dogs within a local municipality in the former Transkei area. Responses to vaccination were also evaluated in 80 of these dogs. The population was remarkably uniform in size, breed and condition. Slightly over 1/5th of the population was between 6 weeks and 1 year of age, while very few dogs reached 10 years or older. According to owner responses, the Animal Health Technicians achieved a total vaccination coverage of 65 % of owned dogs over several years, but only 56 % within the previous 12 months. Only 32 % of dogs had adequate circulating rabies virus neutralisation antibodies (≥0.5IU/). After vaccination, 83 % had seroconverted to this level. The magnitude of seroconversion was independent of body condition or age. This study proposes a different approach to vaccination strategies than those currently employed in certain areas of the province.
Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, Sep 17, 2005
In July 2003 a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was imported from Harare, Zimbabwe to the Ashburton T... more In July 2003 a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was imported from Harare, Zimbabwe to the Ashburton Training Centre, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Five months after importation, the colt presented with clinical signs suggestive of rabies: it was uncoordinated, showed muscle tremors and was biting at itself. Brain tissue was submitted for analysis and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the fluorescent antibody test and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein and the G-L intergenic region of the rabies virus confirmed it to be an infection with a canid rabies virus, originating from an area in Zimbabwe endemic for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and side-striped jackal (Canis adustus) rabies.
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the highly neurotropic members of the Lyssavirus gen... more Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the highly neurotropic members of the Lyssavirus genus (Rhabdoviridae family). These viruses contain an RNA genome that encodes information for five viral proteins: the nucleoprotein (N), the glycoprotein (G), the phosphoprotein (P), matrix (M) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). The glycoprotein is the major contributor of viral pathogenicity. However, nucleotide changes in specific regions of the G-protein influence the ability of the rabies virus to cause death in experimental animals but also the ability to move within the neuronal network. In addition to the glycoprotein, other regions of the viral genome may also contribute to pathogenicity, underlining the multigenic nature of the lyssavirus.
Background: As in many parts of the developing world, both human and animal rabies statistics are... more Background: As in many parts of the developing world, both human and animal rabies statistics are limited in Nigeria. This is largely due to underr eporting, misdiagnosis and lack of national rabies surveillance systems. It is estimated that at least 10,000 human deaths occur every year in Nigeria, with 99% or more due to dog rabies. This is despite the availability of Low egg passage (LEP) flury strain rabies vaccine which is produced locally for vaccination of dogs. As a result rabies is on the increase and continues to pose a public health threat. Objective: The general objective was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of dog rabies in Nigeria by nucleotide sequencing of partial regions of the glycoprotein G) and nucleoprotein (N) genes of virus isolates from different geographical areas. The phylogenetic relationships of these viruses were also assessed with those from neighbouring Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin. Methods: A hundred dog brain tissues from a panel of samples submitted for routine diagnosis at the Rabies Unit of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom Nigeria were included in the study. Total viral RNA was extracted using TriReagent (Sigma, USA) and partial regions of the N and G genes were reverse transcribed and amplified. The PCR products were purified using the Wizard PCR purification system (Promega, USA) and then cycle sequenced with same primer sets as specified by the manufacturer (Applied Biosystems USA). The phylogenetic analysis was carried out with the MEGA program.
The European Virus Archive (EVA) was created in 2008 with funding from the FP7-EU Infrastructure ... more The European Virus Archive (EVA) was created in 2008 with funding from the FP7-EU Infrastructure Programme, in response to the need for a coordinated and readily accessible collection of viruses that could be made available to academia, public health organisations and industry. Within three years, it developed from a consortium of nine European laboratories to encompass associated partners in Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, Germany and Italy. In 2014, the H2020 Research and Innovation Framework Programme (INFRAS projects) provided support for the transformation of the EVA from a European to a global organization (EVAg). The EVAg now operates as a non-profit consortium, with 26 partners and 20 associated partners from 21 EU and non-EU countries. In this paper, we outline the structure, management and goals of the EVAg, to bring to the attention of researchers the wealth of products it can provide and to illustrate how end-users can gain access to these resources. Organisations or individuals who would like to be considered as contributors are invited to contact the EVAg coordinator, Jean-Louis Romette,
Revue Scientifique Et Technique De L Office International Des Epizooties, Dec 1, 2017
The Biological Standards Commission of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) oversees th... more The Biological Standards Commission of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) oversees the preparation and validation of OIEapproved International Reference Standards for use in serological assays for detecting infectious diseases of animals or the adequacy of their immune response following vaccination against those diseases. The principal use of OIE-approved International Reference Standards is to harmonise serological testing and to promote the mutual recognition of test results for international trade. In the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, the OIE No. 10082017-00105-EN 3/21 Biological Standards Commission adopted this serum as an OIEapproved standard reagent for rabies serology.
In South Africa, canid rabies virus (RABV) infection is maintained in domestic and wildlife speci... more In South Africa, canid rabies virus (RABV) infection is maintained in domestic and wildlife species. The identification of rabies in African civets raised the question of whether this wildlife carnivore is a potential reservoir host of RABVs of direct and ancestral dog origin (dog-maintained and dog-derived origins) with an independent cycle of transmission. Genetic analyses of African civet nucleoprotein sequences for 23 African civet RABVs and historically published sequences demonstrated that RABVs from African civets have two origins related to dog and mongoose rabies enzootics. The data support observations of the interaction of civets with domestic dogs and wildlife mongooses, mostly in Northern South Africa and NorthEast Zimbabwe. Within each host species clade, African civet RABVs group exclusively together, implying intra-species virus transfer occurs readily. The canid RABV clade appears to support virus transfer more readily between hosts than mongoose RABVs. Furthermore, these data probably indicate short transmission chains with conspecifics that may be related to transient rabies maintenance in African civets. Hence, it is important to continue monitoring the emergence of lyssaviruses in this host. Observations from this study are supported by ongoing and independent similar cases, in which bat-eared foxes and black-backed jackal species maintain independent rabies cycles of what were once dog-maintained RABVs.
At present, the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) is an OIE-prescribed and WHO-recommended t... more At present, the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) is an OIE-prescribed and WHO-recommended test and is considered the ‘gold standard’ for sensitive and specific rabies diagnosis. The FAT provides consistent results on fresh brain specimens in more than 95% to 99% of cases. As plans for the global elimination of canine rabies advance, the need for additional relevant diagnostic testing is crucial to improve laboratory-based surveillance and monitor programme success, especially in developing countries. A direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT) for rabies diagnosis has been developed as one alternative to meet this need. Similarly to the FAT, the DRIT involves the examination of brain impressions but, rather than immunofluorescence, employs light microscopy and biotin-labelled antibodies. Using the DRIT, tens of thousands of suspect animal brains have been examined since 2008 by diagnosticians and researchers in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. Despite widely varying conditions by locale, species tested, sample quality, viral type, and background conditions, test sensitivity and specificity have approached 100%. All currently recognised lyssavirus species have been identified in naturally or experimentally infected mammals using the DRIT. In the United States, it is applied to laboratory confirmatory testing of equivocal FAT results and to enhance surveillance under field conditions. For example, in support of oral rabies vaccination programmes, more than 60,000 specimens have been tested within North America and, as with the FAT, the DRIT is included in routine proficiency testing. Moreover, preliminary inter-laboratory comparisons, using different monoclonal and polyclonal conjugates, with antibodies tested against a wide variety of viral variants, support the basic premise of the DRIT as a relevant test for future validation and OIE consideration as a prescribed test for rabies diagnosis.
Three more isolates of Lagos bat virus were recently recovered from fruit bats in South Africa af... more Three more isolates of Lagos bat virus were recently recovered from fruit bats in South Africa after an apparent absence of this virus for 13 years. The sporadic occurrence of cases is likely due to inadequate surveillance programs for lyssavirus infections among bat populations in Africa.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Dec 1, 2008
Brucellosis and confirm the diagnostic problems of S19 vaccination. According to the passages, an... more Brucellosis and confirm the diagnostic problems of S19 vaccination. According to the passages, and the other investigators' findings, we can declare that the new vaccine (RB51) is potentially suitable for being used in the control and prevention program of bovine Brucellosis and its usage has been satisfactory in Iran over these years and is a successful replacement for S19 vaccine.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, Jul 9, 2001
Rabies isolates that had been stored between 1983 and 1997 were examined with a panel of anti-lys... more 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.
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, May 21, 2010
Rabies is a growing problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study investigated... more Rabies is a growing problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study investigated dog ecology, vaccination coverage and rabies neutralising antibody levels in 203 randomly selected dogs within a local municipality in the former Transkei area. Responses to vaccination were also evaluated in 80 of these dogs. The population was remarkably uniform in size, breed and condition. Slightly over 1/5th of the population was between 6 weeks and 1 year of age, while very few dogs reached 10 years or older. According to owner responses, the Animal Health Technicians achieved a total vaccination coverage of 65 % of owned dogs over several years, but only 56 % within the previous 12 months. Only 32 % of dogs had adequate circulating rabies virus neutralisation antibodies (≥0.5IU/). After vaccination, 83 % had seroconverted to this level. The magnitude of seroconversion was independent of body condition or age. This study proposes a different approach to vaccination strategies than those currently employed in certain areas of the province.
Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, Sep 17, 2005
In July 2003 a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was imported from Harare, Zimbabwe to the Ashburton T... more In July 2003 a 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was imported from Harare, Zimbabwe to the Ashburton Training Centre, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Five months after importation, the colt presented with clinical signs suggestive of rabies: it was uncoordinated, showed muscle tremors and was biting at itself. Brain tissue was submitted for analysis and the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by the fluorescent antibody test and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein and the G-L intergenic region of the rabies virus confirmed it to be an infection with a canid rabies virus, originating from an area in Zimbabwe endemic for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and side-striped jackal (Canis adustus) rabies.
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the highly neurotropic members of the Lyssavirus gen... more Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease caused by the highly neurotropic members of the Lyssavirus genus (Rhabdoviridae family). These viruses contain an RNA genome that encodes information for five viral proteins: the nucleoprotein (N), the glycoprotein (G), the phosphoprotein (P), matrix (M) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). The glycoprotein is the major contributor of viral pathogenicity. However, nucleotide changes in specific regions of the G-protein influence the ability of the rabies virus to cause death in experimental animals but also the ability to move within the neuronal network. In addition to the glycoprotein, other regions of the viral genome may also contribute to pathogenicity, underlining the multigenic nature of the lyssavirus.
Background: As in many parts of the developing world, both human and animal rabies statistics are... more Background: As in many parts of the developing world, both human and animal rabies statistics are limited in Nigeria. This is largely due to underr eporting, misdiagnosis and lack of national rabies surveillance systems. It is estimated that at least 10,000 human deaths occur every year in Nigeria, with 99% or more due to dog rabies. This is despite the availability of Low egg passage (LEP) flury strain rabies vaccine which is produced locally for vaccination of dogs. As a result rabies is on the increase and continues to pose a public health threat. Objective: The general objective was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of dog rabies in Nigeria by nucleotide sequencing of partial regions of the glycoprotein G) and nucleoprotein (N) genes of virus isolates from different geographical areas. The phylogenetic relationships of these viruses were also assessed with those from neighbouring Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin. Methods: A hundred dog brain tissues from a panel of samples submitted for routine diagnosis at the Rabies Unit of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom Nigeria were included in the study. Total viral RNA was extracted using TriReagent (Sigma, USA) and partial regions of the N and G genes were reverse transcribed and amplified. The PCR products were purified using the Wizard PCR purification system (Promega, USA) and then cycle sequenced with same primer sets as specified by the manufacturer (Applied Biosystems USA). The phylogenetic analysis was carried out with the MEGA program.
The European Virus Archive (EVA) was created in 2008 with funding from the FP7-EU Infrastructure ... more The European Virus Archive (EVA) was created in 2008 with funding from the FP7-EU Infrastructure Programme, in response to the need for a coordinated and readily accessible collection of viruses that could be made available to academia, public health organisations and industry. Within three years, it developed from a consortium of nine European laboratories to encompass associated partners in Africa, Russia, China, Turkey, Germany and Italy. In 2014, the H2020 Research and Innovation Framework Programme (INFRAS projects) provided support for the transformation of the EVA from a European to a global organization (EVAg). The EVAg now operates as a non-profit consortium, with 26 partners and 20 associated partners from 21 EU and non-EU countries. In this paper, we outline the structure, management and goals of the EVAg, to bring to the attention of researchers the wealth of products it can provide and to illustrate how end-users can gain access to these resources. Organisations or individuals who would like to be considered as contributors are invited to contact the EVAg coordinator, Jean-Louis Romette,
Revue Scientifique Et Technique De L Office International Des Epizooties, Dec 1, 2017
The Biological Standards Commission of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) oversees th... more The Biological Standards Commission of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) oversees the preparation and validation of OIEapproved International Reference Standards for use in serological assays for detecting infectious diseases of animals or the adequacy of their immune response following vaccination against those diseases. The principal use of OIE-approved International Reference Standards is to harmonise serological testing and to promote the mutual recognition of test results for international trade. In the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, the OIE No. 10082017-00105-EN 3/21 Biological Standards Commission adopted this serum as an OIEapproved standard reagent for rabies serology.
In South Africa, canid rabies virus (RABV) infection is maintained in domestic and wildlife speci... more In South Africa, canid rabies virus (RABV) infection is maintained in domestic and wildlife species. The identification of rabies in African civets raised the question of whether this wildlife carnivore is a potential reservoir host of RABVs of direct and ancestral dog origin (dog-maintained and dog-derived origins) with an independent cycle of transmission. Genetic analyses of African civet nucleoprotein sequences for 23 African civet RABVs and historically published sequences demonstrated that RABVs from African civets have two origins related to dog and mongoose rabies enzootics. The data support observations of the interaction of civets with domestic dogs and wildlife mongooses, mostly in Northern South Africa and NorthEast Zimbabwe. Within each host species clade, African civet RABVs group exclusively together, implying intra-species virus transfer occurs readily. The canid RABV clade appears to support virus transfer more readily between hosts than mongoose RABVs. Furthermore, these data probably indicate short transmission chains with conspecifics that may be related to transient rabies maintenance in African civets. Hence, it is important to continue monitoring the emergence of lyssaviruses in this host. Observations from this study are supported by ongoing and independent similar cases, in which bat-eared foxes and black-backed jackal species maintain independent rabies cycles of what were once dog-maintained RABVs.
At present, the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) is an OIE-prescribed and WHO-recommended t... more At present, the direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT) is an OIE-prescribed and WHO-recommended test and is considered the ‘gold standard’ for sensitive and specific rabies diagnosis. The FAT provides consistent results on fresh brain specimens in more than 95% to 99% of cases. As plans for the global elimination of canine rabies advance, the need for additional relevant diagnostic testing is crucial to improve laboratory-based surveillance and monitor programme success, especially in developing countries. A direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT) for rabies diagnosis has been developed as one alternative to meet this need. Similarly to the FAT, the DRIT involves the examination of brain impressions but, rather than immunofluorescence, employs light microscopy and biotin-labelled antibodies. Using the DRIT, tens of thousands of suspect animal brains have been examined since 2008 by diagnosticians and researchers in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. Despite widely varying conditions by locale, species tested, sample quality, viral type, and background conditions, test sensitivity and specificity have approached 100%. All currently recognised lyssavirus species have been identified in naturally or experimentally infected mammals using the DRIT. In the United States, it is applied to laboratory confirmatory testing of equivocal FAT results and to enhance surveillance under field conditions. For example, in support of oral rabies vaccination programmes, more than 60,000 specimens have been tested within North America and, as with the FAT, the DRIT is included in routine proficiency testing. Moreover, preliminary inter-laboratory comparisons, using different monoclonal and polyclonal conjugates, with antibodies tested against a wide variety of viral variants, support the basic premise of the DRIT as a relevant test for future validation and OIE consideration as a prescribed test for rabies diagnosis.
Three more isolates of Lagos bat virus were recently recovered from fruit bats in South Africa af... more Three more isolates of Lagos bat virus were recently recovered from fruit bats in South Africa after an apparent absence of this virus for 13 years. The sporadic occurrence of cases is likely due to inadequate surveillance programs for lyssavirus infections among bat populations in Africa.
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