Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Background Rabies, a lethal viral zoonotic disease, remains a significant global public health concern. In northeastern Brazil, in particular, its epidemiology is complex and dynamic, characterized by the presence of several reservoirs associated with human rabies infection. Methods This st...

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Main Authors: Larissa Leão F. de Sousa, Mariana Dias Guilardi, Junior Olimpio Martins, Bruna Stefanie S. Alves, Luiz Henrique S. Tibo, Patrícia da Silva-Antunes, Gustavo Cabral-Miranda, Débora Bellini Caldeira, Paulo Eduardo Brandão, Fabrício Souza Campos, Luiz Mário R. Janini, Ricardo Durães-Carvalho
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:One Health Outlook
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-024-00124-6
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author Larissa Leão F. de Sousa
Mariana Dias Guilardi
Junior Olimpio Martins
Bruna Stefanie S. Alves
Luiz Henrique S. Tibo
Patrícia da Silva-Antunes
Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
Débora Bellini Caldeira
Paulo Eduardo Brandão
Fabrício Souza Campos
Luiz Mário R. Janini
Ricardo Durães-Carvalho
author_facet Larissa Leão F. de Sousa
Mariana Dias Guilardi
Junior Olimpio Martins
Bruna Stefanie S. Alves
Luiz Henrique S. Tibo
Patrícia da Silva-Antunes
Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
Débora Bellini Caldeira
Paulo Eduardo Brandão
Fabrício Souza Campos
Luiz Mário R. Janini
Ricardo Durães-Carvalho
author_sort Larissa Leão F. de Sousa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Rabies, a lethal viral zoonotic disease, remains a significant global public health concern. In northeastern Brazil, in particular, its epidemiology is complex and dynamic, characterized by the presence of several reservoirs associated with human rabies infection. Methods This study, conducted from June 2022 to July 2023, was part of a passive epidemiological surveillance initiative under Brazil’s National Rabies Surveillance Program. It investigated the presence of Rhabdovirus (RhabV) in 356 postmortem chiropteran brain samples using three diagnostic techniques for rabies and conducted an evolutionary study on both pan-RhabV- and pan-LYSSAV-positive PCR samples. The samples were collected from 20 bat species and different locations in the State of Ceará, an endemic region for the rabies virus (RABV). Rabies-positive samples were further explored through Bayesian, genetic distance mapping and recombination analyses. Results From a total of 356 samples collected, 43 (12.07%) were positive for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and 40 (11.23%) for mouse intracerebral inoculation (MIT) tests. Among the positive results, 40 samples were confirmed by both DIF and MIT, while 13 (3.65%) had inconclusive results for one or both techniques. Molecular assays identified 38 rabies-positive samples (10.67%). Members of the Molossidae and Phyllostomidae families had the highest prevalence, highlighting the role of insectivorous and frugivorous bats in the cycle and dynamics of rabies transmission. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed three distinct and well-supported clusters and clades, indicating the cocirculation of different RABV lineages in the region and shedding light on both intra- and interhost diversity. We also demonstrated genetic distance among the RABV clusters and inferred that their common ancestor originated in Europe, later diversifying across continents. No recombination breakpoints were identified. Conclusions This study highlights the dynamic nature of RABV evolution within individual bat hosts, contributing to the understanding of the genetic diversity of RABV variants found in several bat species in northeastern Brazil. This study provides crucial insights into viral transmission dynamics within and between different host species and is essential for designing effective rabies control and prevention strategies tailored to endemic regions.
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spelling doaj-art-0091aa4a46b84334938e2be250a201692025-01-12T12:39:21ZengBMCOne Health Outlook2524-46552025-01-017111110.1186/s42522-024-00124-6Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern BrazilLarissa Leão F. de Sousa0Mariana Dias Guilardi1Junior Olimpio Martins2Bruna Stefanie S. Alves3Luiz Henrique S. Tibo4Patrícia da Silva-Antunes5Gustavo Cabral-Miranda6Débora Bellini Caldeira7Paulo Eduardo Brandão8Fabrício Souza Campos9Luiz Mário R. Janini10Ricardo Durães-Carvalho11Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São PauloInterunit Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Institute of Chemistry, University of São PauloDepartment of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São PauloDepartment of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São PauloDepartment of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São PauloDepartment of Morphology and Genetics, Federal University of São PauloInstitute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (ICB/USP)Department of Medicine, Federal University of São PauloSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of São PauloVirology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do SulDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São PauloDepartment of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São PauloAbstract Background Rabies, a lethal viral zoonotic disease, remains a significant global public health concern. In northeastern Brazil, in particular, its epidemiology is complex and dynamic, characterized by the presence of several reservoirs associated with human rabies infection. Methods This study, conducted from June 2022 to July 2023, was part of a passive epidemiological surveillance initiative under Brazil’s National Rabies Surveillance Program. It investigated the presence of Rhabdovirus (RhabV) in 356 postmortem chiropteran brain samples using three diagnostic techniques for rabies and conducted an evolutionary study on both pan-RhabV- and pan-LYSSAV-positive PCR samples. The samples were collected from 20 bat species and different locations in the State of Ceará, an endemic region for the rabies virus (RABV). Rabies-positive samples were further explored through Bayesian, genetic distance mapping and recombination analyses. Results From a total of 356 samples collected, 43 (12.07%) were positive for direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and 40 (11.23%) for mouse intracerebral inoculation (MIT) tests. Among the positive results, 40 samples were confirmed by both DIF and MIT, while 13 (3.65%) had inconclusive results for one or both techniques. Molecular assays identified 38 rabies-positive samples (10.67%). Members of the Molossidae and Phyllostomidae families had the highest prevalence, highlighting the role of insectivorous and frugivorous bats in the cycle and dynamics of rabies transmission. Phylogenetic reconstructions revealed three distinct and well-supported clusters and clades, indicating the cocirculation of different RABV lineages in the region and shedding light on both intra- and interhost diversity. We also demonstrated genetic distance among the RABV clusters and inferred that their common ancestor originated in Europe, later diversifying across continents. No recombination breakpoints were identified. Conclusions This study highlights the dynamic nature of RABV evolution within individual bat hosts, contributing to the understanding of the genetic diversity of RABV variants found in several bat species in northeastern Brazil. This study provides crucial insights into viral transmission dynamics within and between different host species and is essential for designing effective rabies control and prevention strategies tailored to endemic regions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-024-00124-6BatsRabies virusBrazilIntrahost genetic diversityInterhost genetic diversity
spellingShingle Larissa Leão F. de Sousa
Mariana Dias Guilardi
Junior Olimpio Martins
Bruna Stefanie S. Alves
Luiz Henrique S. Tibo
Patrícia da Silva-Antunes
Gustavo Cabral-Miranda
Débora Bellini Caldeira
Paulo Eduardo Brandão
Fabrício Souza Campos
Luiz Mário R. Janini
Ricardo Durães-Carvalho
Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
One Health Outlook
Bats
Rabies virus
Brazil
Intrahost genetic diversity
Interhost genetic diversity
title Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
title_full Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
title_fullStr Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
title_short Phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra- and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern Brazil
title_sort phylogenetic inferences reveal multiple intra and interhost genetic diversity among bat rabies viruses circulating in northeastern brazil
topic Bats
Rabies virus
Brazil
Intrahost genetic diversity
Interhost genetic diversity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-024-00124-6
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