Abstract

LOZA-RUBIO, Elizabeth; NADIN-DAVIS, Susan A.  and  MORALES SALINAS, Elizabeth. Molecular and biological properties of rabies viruses circulating in Mexican skunks: focus on P gene variation. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.2, pp.155-170. ISSN 2448-6698.

The objective of this work was to characterize molecularly rabies viruses from Mexican skunks, by comparison of a portion of the viral P gene sequence with corresponding regions from other skunk-adapted rabies virus variants and with other genotype 1 rabies viruses that circulate in the Americas. Furthermore, incubation period and histopathologic lesions after virus inoculation by the intra-cerebral route in mice was characterized. According to the results of phylogenetic studies the Mexican skunk strains (Antigenic Variant (AV) 8 and AV10) are evolutionarily quite distinct. The AV10 isolate from South Baja California is quite closely related to the viruses that circulate in Californian skunks; while the AV8 isolate from San Luis Potosí was most closely related to the South central skunk strain that circulates in southern states such as Texas. These variations were reflected in some biological properties of both strains in mice.

Keywords : Rabies, Skunks; Molecular epidemiology; Incubation period; P gen.