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Viljoen N, Weyer J, Coertse J, Markotter W. Evaluation of Taxonomic Characteristics of Matlo and Phala Bat Rabies-Related Lyssaviruses Identified in South Africa. Viruses 2023; 15:2047. [PMID: 37896824 PMCID: PMC10611238 DOI: 10.3390/v15102047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the genetic characterization of two potentially novel rabies-related lyssaviruses identified from bats in Limpopo province, South Africa. Matlo bat lyssavirus (MBLV) was identified in two Miniopterus natalensis (Natal long-fingered) bats in 2015 and 2016, and Phala bat lyssavirus (PBLV) was identified in a Nycticeinops schlieffeni (Schlieffen's) bat in 2021. The distribution of both of these bat species is largely confined to parts of Africa, with limited reports from the Arabian Peninsula. MBLV and PBLV were demonstrated to group with the unassigned and phylogroup I lyssaviruses, respectively. MBLV was most closely related to Lyssavirus caucasicus (WCBV), whereas PBLV was most closely related to Lyssavirus formosa (TWBLV-1) and Taiwan bat lyssavirus 2 (TWBLV-2), based on analysis of the N and G genes, the concatenated N + P + M + G + L coding sequence, and the complete genome sequence. Based on our analysis, MBLV and WCBV appeared to constitute a phylogroup separate from Lyssavirus lleida (LLEBV) and Lyssavirus ikoma (IKOV). Analysis of the antigenic sites suggests that PBLV will likely be serologically distinguishable from established lyssaviruses in virus-neutralization tests, whereas MBLV appeared to be antigenically highly similar to WCBV. Taken together, the findings suggested that, while PBLV is likely a new lyssavirus species, MBLV is likely related to WCBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Viljoen
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Jessica Coertse
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Dundarova H, Ivanova-Aleksandrova N, Bednarikova S, Georgieva I, Kirov K, Miteva K, Neov B, Ostoich P, Pikula J, Zukal J, Hristov P. Phylogeographic Aspects of Bat Lyssaviruses in Europe: A Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:1089. [PMID: 37764897 PMCID: PMC10534866 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last few decades, bat lyssaviruses have become the topic of intensive molecular and epidemiological investigations. Since ancient times, rhabdoviruses have caused fatal encephalitis in humans which has led to research into effective strategies for their eradication. Modelling of potential future cross-species virus transmissions forms a substantial component of the recent infection biology of rabies. In this article, we summarise the available data on the phylogeography of both bats and lyssaviruses in Europe and the adjacent reg ions, especially in the contact zone between the Palearctic and Ethiopian realms. Within these zones, three bat families are present with high potential for cross-species transmission and the spread of lyssaviruses in Phylogroup II to Europe (part of the western Palearctic). The lack of effective therapies for rabies viruses in Phylogroup II and the most divergent lyssaviruses generates impetus for additional phylogenetic and virological research within this geographical region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heliana Dundarova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Sarka Bednarikova
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Irina Georgieva
- National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 26 Yanko Sakazov Blvd., 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Krasimir Kirov
- Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Assen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Kalina Miteva
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Boyko Neov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Ostoich
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jiri Pikula
- Department of Ecology and Diseases of Zoo Animals, Game, Fish and Bees, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zukal
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Hristov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
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Coertse J, Viljoen N, Weyer J, Markotter W. Comparative Neutralization Activity of Commercial Rabies Immunoglobulin against Diverse Lyssaviruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1255. [PMID: 37515070 PMCID: PMC10383743 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel lyssaviruses, the causative agents of rabies, continue to be described mostly due to increased surveillance in bat hosts. Biologicals for the prevention of rabies in humans have, however, remained largely unchanged for decades. This study aimed to determine if commercial rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) could neutralize diverse lyssaviruses. Two commercial preparations, of human or equine origin, were evaluated against a panel consisting of 13 lyssavirus species. Reduced neutralization was observed for the majority of lyssaviruses compared to rabies virus and was more evident for lyssaviruses outside of phylogroup I. Neutralization of more diverse lyssaviruses only occurred at very high doses, except for Ikoma lyssavirus, which could not be neutralized by the RIG evaluated in this study. The use of RIG is a crucial component of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and the data generated here indicate that RIG, in its current form, will not protect against all lyssaviruses. In addition, higher doses of RIG may be required for neutralization as the genetic distance from vaccine strains increases. Given the limitations of current RIG preparations, alternative passive immunization options should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Coertse
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Natalie Viljoen
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Weyer
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Wanda Markotter
- Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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Shipley R, Wright E, Smith SP, Selden D, Fooks AR, Banyard AC. Taiwan Bat Lyssavirus: In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of the Ability of Rabies Vaccine-Derived Antibodies to Neutralise a Novel Lyssavirus. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122750. [PMID: 36560754 PMCID: PMC9781811 DOI: 10.3390/v14122750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is a neglected tropical disease. The prototype virus, the rabies virus, still causes tens of thousands of human fatalities annually. Rabies is one member of the genus Lyssavirus. The burden of other lyssaviruses is unclear. The continued emergence of novel lyssaviruses means that assessment of vaccine efficacy against these viruses is critical, as standard rabies vaccines are not efficacious against all lyssaviruses. Taiwan bat lyssavirus (TWBLV) was first reported in 2018 following isolation from Japanese house bats. Since the initial detection and genetic characterisation, no attempts have been made to antigenically define this virus. Due to the inaccessibility of the wildtype isolate, the successful generation of a live recombinant virus, cSN-TWBLV, is described, where the full-length genome clone of the RABV vaccine strain, SAD-B19, was constructed with the glycoprotein of TWBLV. In vitro and in vivo characterization of cSN-TWBLV was undertaken and demonstrated evidence for cross-neutralisation of cSN-TWBLV with phylogroup I -specific sera and rabies virus standard sera. For neutralisation equivalent to 0.5 IU/mL of WHO and World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) sera against CVS, 0.5 IU/mL of WOAH sera and 2.5 IU/mL of WHO sera were required to neutralise cSN-TWBLV. In addition, specific sera for ARAV and EBLV-1 exhibited the highest neutralising antibody titres against cSN-TWBLV, compared to other phylogroup I-specific sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Shipley
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, London KT15 3NB, UK
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Edward Wright
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Samuel P. Smith
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, London KT15 3NB, UK
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - David Selden
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, London KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Anthony R. Fooks
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, London KT15 3NB, UK
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Ashley C. Banyard
- Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Group, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, London KT15 3NB, UK
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
- Correspondence:
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