Abstract
The Lagovirus rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a member of the family Caliciviridae, severely affects European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations by causing rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHDV is subdivided in six genogroups but, more recently, a new RHDV variant with a unique genetic and antigenic profile emerged. We performed a study in rabbits found dead in the field during 2013 and 2014 in Portugal to determine the prevalence of this new variant versus the classical RHDV. Fifty-seven liver samples were screened for the presence of RHDV and positive samples were genotyped. All cases of RHDV infection were caused by the new variant. The only former genogroup circulating in Portugal, G1, was not detected. We hence conclude that the new RHDV variant is replacing G1 in Portugal, probably due to a selective advantage. This sudden and rapid replacement emphasizes the necessity of continued monitoring of wild rabbit populations.
Highlights
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a member of the genus Lagovirus, family Caliciviridae, is responsible for causing rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD)
A screening to test for the presence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) was performed with two pairs of primers: the first pair is specific for the new variant: RHNavF 5'-GTTCGTCAAATGTACTTGAGC-3' and RHNavR 5'-GTGTACGTAATGGCACTACTG-3' [27]
During that period, we received in our laboratory rabbit samples from several Portuguese localities (Figure 1) that were shown to be positive for the new RHDV variant
Summary
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a member of the genus Lagovirus, family Caliciviridae, is responsible for causing rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). Before the emergence of the new variant, only G1 strains were known to circulate in Portugal [22,23,24]. We performed a genetic study to determine the prevalence of the new variant comparing to G1 in Portuguese rabbit populations and a histopathological study to characterize the lesions found in young rabbits.
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