Molecular Characterization of Cryptically Circulating Rabies Virus from Ferret Badgers, Taiwan

Chiou, Hue-Ying; Hsieh, Chi-Hsun; Jeng, Chian-Ren; Chan, Fang-Tse; Wang, Hurng‐Yi; Pang, Victor Fei

doi:10.3201/eid2005.131389

Cited by 49 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(54 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The SEA2 subclade contains viruses from China and is divided into two lineages, SEA2a and SEA2b, corresponding to isolates from dogs and ferret-badgers, respectively. Subclade SEA5 appears to be specific to RABV circulating in ferret-badgers in Taiwan, an epidemiological cycle that was only identified recently [21, 40, 41]. For the first time, we were also able to fully characterize full-length genome sequences of RABV isolates belonging to the Africa-3 clade (n = 6).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Large-Scale Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Complex Evolutionary History of Rabies Virus in Multiple Carnivore Hosts

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The natural evolution of rabies virus (RABV) provides a potent example of multiple host shifts and an important opportunity to determine the mechanisms that underpin viral emergence. Using 321 genome sequences spanning an unprecedented diversity of RABV, we compared evolutionary rates and selection pressures in viruses sampled from multiple primary host shifts that occurred on various continents. Two major phylogenetic groups, bat-related RABV and dog-related RABV, experiencing markedly different evolutionary dynamics were identified. While no correlation between time and genetic divergence was found in bat-related RABV, the evolution of dog-related RABV followed a generally clock-like structure, although with a relatively low evolutionary rate. Subsequent molecular clock dating indicated that dog-related RABV likely underwent a rapid global spread following the intensification of intercontinental trade starting in the 15th century. Strikingly, although dog RABV has jumped to various wildlife species from the order Carnivora, we found no clear evidence that these host-jumping events involved adaptive evolution, with RABV instead characterized by strong purifying selection, suggesting that ecological processes also play an important role in shaping patterns of emergence. However, specific amino acid changes were associated with the parallel emergence of RABV in ferret-badgers in Asia, and some host shifts were associated with increases in evolutionary rate, particularly in the ferret-badger and mongoose, implying that changes in host species can have important impacts on evolutionary dynamics.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 75%

Large-Scale Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Complex Evolutionary History of Rabies Virus in Multiple Carnivore Hosts

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Time to common ancestor estimates suggests that the TFBV most likely branched off from its canine predecessor and became a genetically distinct virus variant between 1900 and 1922. It suggests that the TFBV was likely cryptically circulating within Taiwan ferret‐badger population for many decades (Chiou et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Government Response to the Discovery of a Rabies Virus Reservoir Species on a Previously Designated Rabies‐Free Island, Taiwan, 1999–2014

Chang

Tsai

Chang

et al. 2015

Zoonoses and Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary Taiwan had been considered rabies free since 1961. In 2013, Taiwan confirmed the detection of rabies virus in wild Taiwan ferret‐badgers. Up to December 2014, there have been 423 rabies‐confirmed ferret‐badgers and three cases of spillover infection into non‐reservoir hosts. Genetic analysis indicates that TFBV is distinct from all other known rabies virus variants. To date, ferret‐badger rabies is known to occur only in China and Taiwan. The temporal dynamics of rabid ferret‐badgers in Taiwan suggests that the epizootic appears to have subsided to enzootic levels as of December 2014. According to the current epidemiologic data, there is only one TFBV strain in Taiwan. TFBV is still sequestered to the mountainous regions. Humans are at risk mainly through exposure to the virus from infected domestic meso‐carnivores, mainly dogs and cats. Dogs and cats should be vaccinated to establish an immunological barrier to stop the spread of the disease from mountainous regions to domestic meso‐carnivores.

show abstract

“…This particular lineage might have been diverged from its closest lineages, China I and Philippines, more than 150 years. 21 The discovery of this re-emerging important zoonotic disease further emphasizes the essentiality of a systemic disease surveillance in wildranging wildlife. CDV is a morbillivirus, which is known to cause systemic diseases in canids, mustelids (ferrets, mink), raccoons, collared peccaries, seals, and felids.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of RT-PCR and subsequent sequence analysis of the amplicons further con¯rmed that the virus belonged to the classic RABV. 21 Two rescued adult MPCs displaying neurologic signs of severe ataxia and seizures prior to death were submitted. No apparent gross lesions were found.…”

Section: Viral Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease Surveillance in Rescued and Road-Killed Wild-Ranging Carnivores in Taiwan

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective of this study was to investigate the causes of death and potential diseases carried by the wild-ranging carnivores in Taiwan through a government-supported disease survey program. During the period of August 2011 to January 2015, a total of 51 carcasses from rescued but dead or road-killed carnivores were necropsied for histopathology, molecular and immunological assays, microbiology, and parasitology. The cases included 31 Taiwan ferret badgers (TWFBs) (Melogale moschata subaurantiaca), 12 masked palm civets (MPCs) (Paguma larvate taivana), 5 small Chinese civets (SCCs) (Viverricula indica pallida), and 3 crab-eating mongooses (CEMs) (Herpestes urva). Zoonotic rabies and fatal canine distemper were diagnosed in four TWFBs and three MPCs, respectively. A high prevalence rate of lungworm infestation (23/31; 74.2%) was observed in TWFBs. In addition, a unique fatal Staphylococcus hyicus pneumonia and a fatal heavy systemic sarcopic mange infestation were diagnosed in a TWFB and a suckling MPC kid, respectively. Road tra±c accidents and stray dog-associated killing were the most common etiologies for the death of wild-ranging carnivores.

show abstract

Molecular Characterization of Cryptically Circulating Rabies Virus from Ferret Badgers, Taiwan

Abstract: The virus has been circulating in Taiwan for about 100 years.

Cited by 49 publications

References 37 publications

Large-Scale Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Complex Evolutionary History of Rabies Virus in Multiple Carnivore Hosts

Large-Scale Phylogenomic Analysis Reveals the Complex Evolutionary History of Rabies Virus in Multiple Carnivore Hosts

Government Response to the Discovery of a Rabies Virus Reservoir Species on a Previously Designated Rabies‐Free Island, Taiwan, 1999–2014

Disease Surveillance in Rescued and Road-Killed Wild-Ranging Carnivores in Taiwan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About