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Rabies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) experimentally infected with European bat lyssavirus type 1
1Impstoffwerk Dessau Tornau (IDT) GmbH, 06855 Rosslau, Germany. ad.vos@idt-direct.de
Summary
Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are susceptible to European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1), developing neurological disorders and a humoral immune response. However, infectious EBLV-1 was rarely detected, indicating complex pathogenesis in this species.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Wildlife Disease Ecology
- Pathogen Susceptibility Studies
Background:
- European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) is a significant rabies-related virus primarily affecting bats.
- Understanding the susceptibility of terrestrial mammals, such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), is crucial for assessing rabies transmission dynamics and public health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the susceptibility of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to experimental European bat lyssavirus type 1 (EBLV-1) infection.
- To characterize the clinical manifestations, immune response, and viral shedding in foxes infected with EBLV-1.
Main Methods:
- Eight red foxes were inoculated intramuscularly with two different doses of EBLV-1.
- Clinical signs, neurological status, and humoral immune responses were monitored for up to 90 days post-infection.
- Standard diagnostic techniques, including fluorescent antibody test, RT-PCR, and virus isolation, were used to detect EBLV-1 in various tissues and secretions.
Main Results:
- All inoculated foxes developed neurological disorders, including seizures and agitation, starting as early as 5 days post-infection, with subsequent relapses.
- A humoral immune response against EBLV-1 was detected in all foxes.
- Infectious EBLV-1 or viral antigen was not detected in most tissues and secretions, except for EBLV-1 RNA in the spinal cord of one fox.
- Histopathological examination revealed moderate to severe multifocal mononuclear encephalomyelitis in the brains of euthanized foxes.
Conclusions:
- Red foxes are susceptible to EBLV-1 infection, exhibiting clinical signs consistent with rabies-like neurological disease.
- Despite clinical signs and immune response, infectious EBLV-1 is difficult to detect in most tissues, suggesting complex viral dynamics and clearance mechanisms.
- The presence of encephalomyelitis without detectable virus highlights the need for further research into the pathogenesis of EBLV-1 in foxes.