Partial nucleotide sequences of ORF72 (glycoprotein D, gD), ORF64 (infected cell protein 4, ICP4) and ORF30 (DNA polymerase) genes were compared with corresponding sequences of EHV-1 reference strains to characterize the molecular variability of Brazilian strains. Virus isolation assays were applied to 74 samples including visceral tissue, total blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and nasal swabs of specimens from a total of 64 animals. Only one CSF sample (Iso07/05 strain) was positive by virus isolation in cell culture. EHV-1 Iso07/05 neurologic strain and two abortion visceral tissues samples (Iso11/06 and Iso33/06) were PCR-positive for ORF33 (glycoprotein B, gB) gene of EHV-1. A sequence analysis of the ORF72, ORF64 and ORF30 genes from three EHV-1 archival strains (A3/97, A4/72, A9/92) and three clinical samples (Iso07/05, Iso11/06 and Iso33/06) suggested that among Brazilian EHV-1 strains, the amplified region of the gD gene sequence is highly conserved. Additionally, the analysis of ICP4 gene showed high nucleotide and amino acid identities when compared with genotype P strains, suggesting that the EHV-1 Brazilian strains belonged to the same group. All the EHV-1 Brazilian strains were classified as non-neuropathogenic variants (N752) based on the ORF30 analysis. These findings indicate a high conservation of the gD-, ICP4- and ORF30-encoding sequences. Different pathotypes of the EHV-1 strain might share identical genes with no specific markers, and tissue tropism is not completely dependent on the gD envelope, immediate-early ICP4 and DNA polymerase proteins.

This is the first report of the isolation and identification of the rabies virus in the frugivorous bat Artibeus fimbriatus in the city of Sao José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The virus was isolated from an animal found in an urban area. The animal was found on the ground under a tree, still alive. Diagnosis was made by direct immunofluorescence and intracerebral inoculation of mice. Brief CommunicationsThe formulation of control programs for rabies is directly related to the different species of animals infected by the virus and involved in the dissemination of the disease. The urban cycle of rabies, in the great majority of Brazilian cities, is still maintained by the dog, which was responsible for 80% of cases of human rabies registered between 1994 and 2003.

High levels of antibodies against the human influenza A(H 1 N 1 ) and A(H 3 N 2 ) strains in horse sera have been reported. The aim of the present study was to survey the human influenza virus strains present in horses using two methodologies, viral isolation and serology.Sera and swabs (oro-nasal) were collected from horses belonging to stud and racing stables

Foi investigada a ocorrência da infecção pelos vírus da Encelafalomielite Equina do Leste (EEE), Encefalomielite Equina do Oeste (WEE) e Encefalomielite Equina Venezuelana (VEE) em equídeos não vacinados contra tais agentes, criados em dez delegacias regionais do estado de Minas Gerais

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