Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies in Southern China

Among 2887 brain specimens from apparently healthy dogs in southern China, 2.3% tested positive for rabies virus.

Human cases of rabies, contracted primarily from dogs, have increased in southern China during the past decade (JW Infect Dis Sep 10 2008). To assess the molecular epidemiology of rabies in this area, researchers collected brain samples from apparently healthy dogs sold to restaurants for meat between 2005 and 2007. In addition, they included four specimens from dogs with suspected rabies and three from humans with clinical rabies.

The investigators examined the specimens using a direct immunofluorescence assay with monoclonal antibody against rabies N protein. They sequenced the N gene from 60 positive samples and performed a phylogenetic analysis using these sequences.

Sixty-six (2.3%) of 2887 dog-brain specimens from 15 cities in 3 souther…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine