ANTI-RABIES ANTIBODIES IN JAPANESE VOLUNTEERS IMMUNIZED WITH IMPORTED VACCINE: A PRELIMINARy STUDy

Abstract. We vaccinated seven Japanese volunteers and collected sera to examine their immunological responses to rabies vaccine. A purified chick embryo cell vaccine, Rabipur (PCECV), provided by Chiron, was used. Subjects were vaccinated by intramuscular injection. The vaccination schedule was Days 0, 7 and 21 we collected blood samples on Day 0, before the vaccination, and after Day 56. The seroprotective titer was measured by a Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT). Six subjects had increases in anti-rabies titers to seroprotective levels. We defined seroprotection as ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. One subject has a lower response post-titer vaccination of 0.6 IU/ml. A post-vaccination titer was not available in one subject. We did not observe any singnificant adverse effects. We confirmed that Rabipur is immunogenic in Japanese subjects. This research may contribute to a guide for Japanese patients exposed to rabies outside Japan

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of lateral flow devices as a tool to diagnose rabies in post-mortem animals.

Implementation of lateral flow devices (LFDs) for rabies antigen detection is expected to improve surveillance through the efficient detection of rabid animals in resource-limited settings; however, the use of LFDs for diagnosis remains controversial because some commercially available kits show low sensitivity. Therefore, we compared the diagnostic efficacy of three LFDs (ADTEC, Bionote, and Elabscience kits) paralleled with the direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) using fresh samples and investigated the diagnostic accuracies. To do so, we evaluated rabies-suspected samples submitted to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory III, Philippines. Furthermore, we conducted real-time RT-PCR and sequencing to measure the accuracy of field laboratory diagnosis. The total number of animals submitted during this study period was 184 cases, including negative control samples. Of these, 53.9% (84 cases) were positive in the dFAT. Dogs were the most common rabies-suspected animal (n = 135). The sensitivities of the ADTEC and Bionote kits were 0.88 (74 cases) and 0.95 (80 cases), respectively. The specificity of both kits was 1.00 (100 cases). Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of the ADTEC kit after directly homogenizing the samples in assay buffer without dilution in phosphate-buffered saline (ADTEC kit DM) were 0.94 (79 cases) and 1.00 (100 cases), respectively. By contrast, there were no positive results using the Elabscience kit among all dFAT-positive samples. The sensitivity and specificity of LFDs make these tests highly feasible if properly used. Therefore, LFD tests can be used to strengthen the surveillance of rabies-infected animals in endemic and resource-limited settings

El Compostelano : diario independiente: Ano XXVI Número 7716 - 1945 novembro 1

Numeración errónea en el original

Reemergence of Reston ebolavirus in Cynomolgus Monkeys, the Philippines, 2015

In August 2015, a nonhuman primate facility south of Manila, the Philippines, noted unusual deaths of 6 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), characterized by generalized rashes, inappetence, or sudden death. We identified Reston ebolavirus (RESTV) infection in monkeys by using serologic and molecular assays. We isolated viruses in tissues from infected monkeys and determined viral genome sequences. RESTV found in the 2015 outbreak is genetically closer to 1 of the 4 RESTVs that caused the 2008 outbreak among swine. Eight macaques, including 2 also infected with RESTV, tested positive for measles. Concurrently, the measles virus was circulating throughout the Philippines, indicating that the infection of the macaques may be a reverse zoonosis. Improved biosecurity measures will minimize the public health risk, as well as limit the introduction of disease and vectors

Geographic distribution of clade L.

<p>The phylogenetic tree for the G gene from 235 Philippine strains was constructed using the maximum-likelihood method and bootstrap values were calculated from 500 replicates. The condensed tree with the cut off value of 80% is presented and clade L is enlarged. There were nine subclades and three genogroups in clade L.</p

Geographic distribution of subclade L8.

<p>Subclade L8 in the phylogenetic tree of G genes from 235 Philippine strains is enlarged. L8 was further divided into two subclades, L8a and L8b. The topographical imagery in Luzon Island is shown with a green line. A condensed tree with a cut off value of 80% is presented.</p

Phylogenetic tree of complete and partial G genes from 235 Philippine rabies virus strains.

<p>The phylogenetic tree of 233 complete (1572 nt) and two partial (1549 nt) G genes was constructed using the maximum-likelihood method and bootstrap values were calculated from 500 replicates. The three major clades, Luzon (green), Visayas (blue), Mindanao (orange), and two distinct genogroups, Mindoro (pink), and South Luzon (yellow), are indicated with different colors. Dots on the map indicate the number and collection sites of each sample (one dot = one sample). Bootstrap values of greater than 90% are presented.</p

Comparison between phylogenetic trees of rabies virus N and G genes.

<p>Comparison of rabies virus phylogenetic trees for the (A) partial N gene (1124 nt) and the (B) complete G gene (1572 nt) using 57 virus strains from the Philippines and other Asian countries. The trees were constructed using the maximum-likelihood method and bootstrap values were calculated from 500 replicates. Both trees show the three major clades, Luzon (green line), Visayas (blue line), and Mindanao (orange line), and the two distinct strains from Mindoro and South Luzon. The red circle shows the Philippine strain (RV/04030PHI/2004) <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002144#pntd.0002144-Bourhy1" target="_blank">[16]</a>, <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002144#pntd.0002144-Ming1" target="_blank">[19]</a> from the cluster that was previously named Asian 2b by Gong et al <a href="http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002144#pntd.0002144-Ming1" target="_blank">[19]</a>.</p