Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Whole Genome Sequencing for Rapid Characterization of Rabies Virus Using Nanopore Technology
Published on: August 18, 2023
Evolutionary history and dynamics of dog rabies virus in western and central Africa
Chiraz Talbi1, Edward C Holmes2, Paola de Benedictis3
1Institut Pasteur, UPRE Lyssavirus Dynamics and Host Adaptation, National Reference Centre for Rabies, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Abstract:
The burden of rabies in Africa is estimated at 24,000 human deaths year(-1), almost all of which result from infection with dog rabies viruses (RABV). To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of RABV in western and central Africa, 92 isolates sampled from 27 African countries over 29 years were collected and sequenced. This revealed that RABV currently circulating in dogs in this region fell into a single lineage designated 'Africa 2'. A detailed analysis of the phylogeographical structure of this Africa 2 lineage revealed strong population subdivision at the country level, with only limited movement of virus among localities, including a possible east-to-west spread across Africa. In addition, Bayesian coalescent analysis suggested that the Africa 2 lineage was introduced into this region of Africa only recently (probably <200 years ago), in accordance with the timescale of expanding European colonial influence and urbanization, and then spread relatively slowly, perhaps occupying the entire region in a 100 year period.
More Related Videos
07:40Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications
Published on: June 29, 2020
08:10Evaluation of a Universal Nested Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Lyssaviruses
Published on: May 2, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Rabies
Viral Mutations
Arboviral Encephalitis
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Yellow Fever
Retroviruses