Evolutionary Diversity of Bat Rabies Virus in São Paulo State, Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

Queiroz, Luzia H. ; Campos, Angelica C. A. ; Lopes, Marissol C. ; Cunha, Elenice M. S. ; Albas, Avelino ; de Carvalho, Cristiano ; Pedro, Wagner A. ; Silva, Eduardo C. ; Lot, Monique S. ; Inacio, Sandra V. ; Araujo, Danielle B. ; Cunha, Marielton P. ; Durigon, Edison L. ; Goes, Luiz Gustavo B. ; Favoretto, Silvana R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Viruses-Basel; v. 17, n. 8, p. 19-pg., 2025-07-30.

Abstract

The history of the rabies virus dates back four millennia, with the virus being considered by many to be the first known transmitted between animals and humans. In Brazil, rabies virus variants associated with terrestrial wild animals, marmosets, and different bat species have been identified. In this study, bat samples from different regions of S & atilde;o Paulo State, in Southeast Brazil, were analyzed to identify their genetic variability and patterns. A total of 51 samples were collected over ten years (1999-2009) and submitted to the immunofluorescent technique using monoclonal antibodies for antigenic profile detection (the diagnostic routine used in Latin American countries) and genetic evolution analysis through maximum likelihood approaches. Three antigenic profiles were detected: one related to the rabies virus maintained by hematophagous bat populations (AgV3), part of the monoclonal antibody panel used, and two other profiles not included in the panel (called NC1 and NC2). These antigenic profiles were genetically distributed in five groups. Group I was related to hematophagous bats (AgV3), Groups II and III were related to insectivorous bats (NC1) and Groups IV and V were also related to insectivorous bats (NC2). The results presented herein show that genetic lineages previously restricted to the northwest region of S & atilde;o Paulo State are now found in other state regions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive genetic study of bat rabies covering geographic and temporal space, through expanded genomic analysis using a standard genomic fragment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/00976-0 - Genetic and antigenic characterization of bat rabies virus in São Paulo State.
• Grantee: Luzia Helena Queiroz
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/08423-0 - Antigenic and genetic caracterization of bat rabies virus isolates from Northern, Northwestern and Western São Paulo State
• Grantee: Eduardo Carneiro Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 24/10801-5 - SIMBA - Spillover, surveillance, monitoring and zoonotic potential analysis of Influenza A virus in Migratory birds, Bats and other mAmmals
• Grantee: Angélica Cristine Góes de Almeida Campos
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/13054-0 - Epidemiological, evolutionary and ecological spillover-risk assessment of bat viruses from Atlantic Forest Hotspot
• Grantee: Luiz Gustavo Bentim Góes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/01843-0 - Genetic study of rabies virus variant maintained by hematophagous bats Desmodus rotundus by viral genome complete sequencing
• Grantee: Silvana Regina Favoretto
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants