Rhabdoviruses: so much more than just rabies

Abstract

842 www.thelancet.com/infection Vol 13 October 2013 Rhabdoviruses: Molecular Taxonomy, Evolution, Genomics, Ecology, Host–Vector Interactions, Cytopathology and Control Ralf G Dietzgen, Ivan V Kuzmin, eds. Caister Academic Press, 2012. Pp 276. £159·00. ISBN 978-1908230119 Most virologists and microbiologists have heard of rabies virus, but few will fully appreciate the full scope of the viruses classifi ed into the six genera of the Rhabdoviridae family. This family of viruses also comprises the genera novirhabdovirus, which exclusively infects fi sh; nucleorhabdovirus and cytorhabdovirus, which infect plants; and vesiculovirus, lyssavirus, and ephemerovirus, which infect animals. In Rhabdoviruses, the minutiae of the viruses are detailed in an informative manner, mixing technical science with interesting facts to engage the reader. Some of the interesting information covered in this well written book includes the history of rabies, dating back to 2300 BC in the Mesopotamian city of Eshnunna, whereby the bite of a mad dog causing the death of a man would cost the dog’s owner “two-thirds of a mina of silver”. The well known rabies virus belongs to the genus lyssavirus, which is the only genus of this family that has evolved an ability to circulate between hosts (in this instance, mammals) by direct contact, without an insect vector. Lyssaviruses still circulate, predominately between bats, which are believed to be the drivers of the genus’s evolution. Rhabdoviruses contains a detailed table of more than 100 taxonomically unassigned viruses, of which more than 90% are unassigned animal rhabdoviruses mostly isolated from arthropods. The diffi culty of assigning an offi cial taxonomy is explained: poor biological and sequence data is the major contributing factor, but rhabdovirologists are working to close this knowledge gap. The chapter Experimental Evolution of Rhabdoviruses is particularly interesting, discussing some of the advanced experimental evolutionary models being driven by technological advances. It serves as a reminder that this family is one of evolving viruses, covering a range of hosts, all vying for long-term survival in a changing world. Editors Ralf Dietzgen and Ivan Kuzmin have put together a team of exceptional authors, ensuring thorough coverage of every important facet of the Rhabdoviridae. Rhabdoviruses is an excellent textbook covering a range of fundamental topics and recent advances in rhabdovirus biology. It introduces newcomers to the specialty, while providing the technical details necessary to understand rhabdovirology. Therefore, the book is a recommended read not only for virologists, but also for a range of scientists, such as ecologists, veterinary scientists, and botanists.