Bat-transmitted human rabies outbreaks, Brazilian Amazon
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Whole Genome Sequencing for Rapid Characterization of Rabies Virus Using Nanopore Technology
Published on: August 18, 2023
Elizabeth S T da Rosa1, Ivanete Kotait, Taciana F S Barbosa
1Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministry of Health, Av. Almirante Barroso 492, 66093-020 Belém, Brazil.
Abstract:
We describe 2 bat-transmitted outbreaks in remote, rural areas of Portel and Viseu Municipalities, Pará State, northern Brazil. Central nervous system specimens were taken after patients' deaths and underwent immunofluorescent assay and histopathologic examination for rabies antigens; also, specimens were injected intracerebrally into suckling mice in an attempt to isolate the virus. Strains obtained were antigenically and genetically characterized. Twenty-one persons died due to paralytic rabies in the 2 municipalities. Ten rabies virus strains were isolated from human specimens; 2 other cases were diagnosed by histopathologic examination. Isolates were antigenically characterized as Desmodus rotundus variant 3 (AgV3). DNA sequencing of 6 strains showed that they were genetically close to D. rotundus-related strains isolated in Brazil. The genetic results were similar to those obtained by using monoclonal antibodies and support the conclusion that the isolates studied belong to the same rabies cycle, the virus variants found in the vampire bat D. rotundus.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Rabies
Arboviral Encephalitis
American Trypanosomiasis
Toxoplasmosis
Transmission of Pathogens
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

