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- Title
Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies Viruses Circulating in Two Rabies Endemic Provinces of Laos, 2011–2012: Regional Diversity in Southeast Asia.
- Authors
Ahmed, Kamruddin; Phommachanh, Phouvong; Vorachith, Phengphet; Matsumoto, Takashi; Lamaningao, Pheophet; Mori, Daisuke; Takaki, Minako; Douangngeun, Bounlom; Khambounheuang, Bounkhouang; Nishizono, Akira
- Abstract
Background: Although rabies is endemic in Laos, genetic characterization of the viruses in this country is limited. There are growing concerns that development in the region may have increased transport of dog through Laos for regional dog meat consumption, and that this may cause spillover of the viruses from dogs brought here from other countries. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the current rabies situation and the genetic characteristics of rabies viruses currently circulating in Laos. Methods: We determined the rate of rabies-positive samples by analyzing data from animal samples submitted to the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's National Animal Health Centre rabies laboratory from 2004 through 2011. Twenty-three rabies-positive samples were used for viral genetic characterization. Full genome sequencing was performed on two rabies viruses. Results: Rabies-positive samples increased substantially from 40.5% in 2004 to 60.2% in 2009 and continued at this level during the study period. More than 99% of the samples were from dogs, followed by cats and monkeys. Phylogenetic analyses showed that three rabies virus lineages belonging to the Southeast Asian cluster are currently circulating in Laos; these are closely related to viruses from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Lineages of the circulating Laos rabies viruses diverged from common ancestors as recently as 44.2 years and as much as 55.3 years ago, indicating periodic virus invasions. Conclusion: There is an increasing trend of rabies in Laotian animals. Similar to other rabies-endemic countries, dogs are the main viral reservoir. Three viral lineages closely related to viruses from neighboring countries are currently circulating in Laos. Data provide evidence of periodic historic exchanges of the viruses with neighboring countries, but no recent invasion. Author Summary: Laos is a land-locked rabies-endemic country in Southeast Asia that is surrounded by five rabies-endemic countries. Thus, there is increasing concern that the epidemiology of rabies in Laos is influenced by infrastructure development and economic activities, including international transport of dogs for meat consumption. Studies on the epidemiology of rabies are limited in this country. Therefore, to gain further information about the epidemiology and the genetic characteristics of circulating rabies viruses, this study was conducted using samples submitted to the rabies Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's National Animal Health Centre rabies laboratory. Out of 18 provinces, samples were submitted mainly from the capital Vientiane and Champasak province. Data from the period 2004 through 2011 showed a gradual increase in rabies-positive samples. Dogs were the main viral reservoir, and genetic analyses of samples collected from February 2011 through March 2012 showed that three viral lineages are currently circulating in the country. These rabies viruses are related to those of neighboring countries, indicating shared ancestry but no recent viral invasion.
- Subjects
LAOS; SOUTHEAST Asia; RABIES virus; MOLECULAR virology; RABIES; MOLECULAR epidemiology; WHOLE genome sequencing; GENETIC epidemiology
- Publication
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015, Vol 9, Issue 3, p1
- ISSN
1935-2727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pntd.0003645