Molecular epidemiology of the rabies virus in Slovenia 1994-2010.

This research investigated the genetic variation and origins of the rabies virus in various animal species in Slovenia from 1994 to 2010. The results show a relatively low genetic diversity of the rabies strains present, and link the virus to strains from neighboring countries. It also confirmed that these strains differed from the vaccine strains SAD B19 and SAD Bern.

Study Design and Methodology

• Research was conducted on 30 rabies-positive brain samples, originating from various animal species including the red fox, badger, cattle, dog, cat, marten, and horse.
• The study period spanned from 1994 to 2010, and the samples were all collected in Slovenia.
• Two gene regions, nucleoprotein (N) and partial glycoprotein (G), were examined to understand the genetic makeup of the rabies strain.
• The researchers compared 1092 and 672 nucleotide sequences in the N and G gene regions, leading to an understanding of the genetic diversity present.

Findings of the Study

• The genetic diversity of the rabies virus in Slovenia was found to be quite low, implying that most of the infections during this period could be traced back to a limited number of sources.
• The phylogenetic trees for the N and G genes were consistent regardless of whether partial nucleoprotein or glycoprotein genes were used, suggesting that the rabies virus in Slovenia did not undergo substantial evolution during the study period.
• The researchers found a high sequence identity in the N and G gene to rabies virus isolates from neighboring countries, suggesting that the virus in Slovenia may have originated from these countries.
• It was established that the rabies strain present in Slovenia was clearly different from the vaccine strains SAD B19 and SAD Bern that have been used in the country since 1988. This could imply that the vaccine strain did not lead to these infections, or that the virus mutated in a way not covered by the vaccine.