Isolation of Lagos Bat Virus from Water Mongoose

Wanda Markotter,Jenny Randles,Claude Sabeta,Ivan Kuzmin,Charles Rupprecht,Louis Nel,Alexander Wandeler

doi:10.3201/eid1212.060514

Abstract

A genotype 2 lyssavirus, Lagos bat virus (LBV), was isolated from a terrestrial wildlife species (water mongoose) in August 2004 in the Durban area of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The virus isolate was confirmed as LBV by antigenic and genetic characterization, and the mongoose was identified as Atilax paludinosus by mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated sequence homology with previous LBV isolates from South African bats. Studies performed in mice indicated that the peripheral pathogenicity of LBV had been underestimated in previous studies. Surveillance strategies for LBV in Africa must be improved to better understand the epidemiology of this virus and to make informed decisions on future vaccine strategies because evidence is insufficent that current rabies vaccines provide protection against LBV.

Highlights

A genotype 2 lyssavirus, Lagos bat virus (LBV), was isolated from a terrestrial wildlife species in August 2004 in the Durban area of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa
The mongoose species was identified by generation and analysis of cytochrome b sequencing data. We characterized this LBV isolate by antigenic typing with antinucleocapsid monoclonal antibodies, sequencing of the nucleoprotein gene, and peripheral pathogenicity in laboratory mice in comparison with other LBV isolates from South Africa and a bat rabies virus (RABV) isolate from North America
The isolate reacted with N-MAb 38HF2, which is an antibody that reacts with all lyssaviruses tested, and with the antibody N-MAb M612, which is highly specific for LBV and does not react with any other lyssaviruses tested

Summary

Introduction

A genotype 2 lyssavirus, Lagos bat virus (LBV), was isolated from a terrestrial wildlife species (water mongoose) in August 2004 in the Durban area of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Recognized lyssavirus genotypes are divided into 2 serologically, pathogenically, and genetically distinct phylogroups [5]. Members of phylogroup I are reported to be pathogenic for mice when introduced intramuscularly and intracerebrally. Members of phylogroup II are believed to be pathogenic in mice only when introduced by the intracerebral (i.c.) route [5]. LBV was first isolated from a fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) in 1956 on Lagos Island in Nigeria [2,8] Fourteen isolations of this virus have been reported throughout Africa, including 8 in South Africa [9]. LBV has never been isolated from any terrestrial wildlife species

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