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Updated: Nov 10, 2025
Pan-lyssavirus Real Time RT-PCR for Rabies Diagnosis
Published on: July 10, 2019
Lagos Bat Virus, an Under-Reported Rabies-Related Lyssavirus
Jessica Coertse1,2, Marike Geldenhuys2, Kevin le Roux3
1Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Sandringham 2192, South Africa.
Abstract:
Lagos bat virus (LBV), one of the 17 accepted viral species of the Lyssavirus genus, was the first rabies-related virus described in 1956. This virus is endemic to the African continent and is rarely encountered. There are currently four lineages, although the observed genetic diversity exceeds existing lyssavirus species demarcation criteria. Several exposures to rabid bats infected with LBV have been reported; however, no known human cases have been reported to date. This review provides the history of LBV and summarizes previous knowledge as well as new detections. Genetic diversity, pathogenesis and prevention are re-evaluated and discussed.
