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Bat rabies in urban centers in Chile
C A de Mattos1, M Favi, V Yung
1Rabies Section MSG33, Viral and Rickettsial Zoonosis Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. cdd9@cdc.gov
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|May 17, 2000
Summary
Rabies virus in Chile shows distinct genetic variants primarily from insectivorous bats, not terrestrial reservoirs. The Brazilian free-tailed bat is a key reservoir, with some variants possibly linked to North American Lasiurus species.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Rabies virus (RABV) poses a significant public health threat globally.
- Understanding rabies reservoirs is crucial for effective control strategies.
- Molecular characterization aids in tracing virus transmission pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly characterize rabies virus isolates from Chile.
- To identify potential rabies reservoirs in domestic animals and bats.
- To compare Chilean isolates with known American rabies virus lineages.
Main Methods:
- Nucleoprotein gene sequencing of 105 rabies isolates (1977-1998).
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine genetic relationships.
- Comparison with reference rabies virus strains from the Americas.
Main Results:
- Five distinct genetic variants of rabies virus were identified in Chilean insectivorous bats.
- No Chilean isolates clustered with terrestrial rabies reservoirs in the Americas.
- The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) was identified as the primary reservoir for the most frequent variant.
- A specific variant showed association with Lasiurus spp. in North America, suggesting potential Lasiurus bat reservoirs in Chile.
- Reservoirs for three other variants remain unidentified.
Conclusions:
- Chilean rabies virus isolates exhibit unique genetic diversity, primarily associated with insectivorous bats.
- The Brazilian free-tailed bat is a significant reservoir for rabies in Chile.
- Further research is needed to identify reservoirs for the remaining rabies virus genetic variants.