Sequence Analyses on N Gene of Rabies Viruses Isolated from Guangdong Province

摘要

[Objective] To find the dominant rabies virus strains that are epidemic in Guangdong Province and thus to better prevent and control rabies. [Method] Canine brains and salivary glands collected from several regions of Guangdong Province were detected by direct immunofluorescence assay and nested RT-PCR. The isolates were further identified by intracranial inoculation in suckling mice. The N gene was amplified by RT-PCR and the sequences were aligned with those of prevalent strains in Guangxi region and vaccine strains. [Result] Two strains were isolated from specimens collected from Guangdong Province. Their N gene sequences had a high similarity of 97.9%-99.4% to those of Guangxi strains and also had a similarity of 87.7%-88.1% to those of vaccine strains of rabies virus. [Conclusion] Apparently healthy dogs may carry rabies virus, and the prevalence of rabies virus shows obvious regional differences.