Evolutionary relationships between lyssaviruses.

<p>The time-scaled phylogeny was generated from 153 nucleoprotein gene sequences and inferred with a Lognormal relaxed-clock Bayesian analysis using BEAST. Branch colours correspond to ecozones shown on the inset map. Support values corresponding to Bayesian posterior probabilities (above branches) and states probabilities from the different assigned ecozones (below branches) are indicated for key nodes. The time scale in years is shown. Phylogroups 3 (green, top) and 2 (blue) are shaded and key nodes discussed in the text labelled A-D. Virus names are <i>Mokola virus</i> (MOKV); <i>Australian bat lyssavirus</i> (ABLV); <i>European bat lyssavirus-1</i> (EBLV-1); <i>European bat lyssavirus-2</i> (EBLV-2), <i>Irkut</i> (IRKV), <i>Aravan</i> (ARAV), <i>Khujand</i> (KHUV); <i>West Caucasian Bat Virus</i> (WCBV); <i>Lagos bat virus</i> (LBV); <i>Duvenhage virus</i> (DUVV); <i>Shimoni bat virus</i> (SHIBV); <i>Bokeloh bat lyssavirus</i> (BBLV); <i>Ikoma virus</i> (IKOV); <i>Lleida virus</i> (LLEBV); <i>Gannoruwa bat lyssavirus</i> (GBLV); <i>Rabies virus</i> (RABV).</p

Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the detection of lyssavirus species other than RABV.

<p>Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the detection of lyssavirus species other than RABV.</p

Real-time PCR-assays for the detection of RABV.

<p>Real-time PCR-assays for the detection of RABV.</p

Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the generic detection of all lyssavirus species.

<p>Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the generic detection of all lyssavirus species.</p

Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the detection rabies virus.

<p>Conventional, gel-based PCR-assays for the detection rabies virus.</p

Real-time PCR-assays for the detection of lyssavirus species other than RABV.

<p>Real-time PCR-assays for the detection of lyssavirus species other than RABV.</p

Rabies in Iraq: Trends in Human Cases 2001–2010 and Characterisation of Animal Rabies Strains from Baghdad

<div><p>Control of rabies requires a consistent supply of dependable resources, constructive cooperation between veterinary and public health authorities, and systematic surveillance. These are challenging in any circumstances, but particularly during conflict. Here we describe available human rabies surveillance data from Iraq, results of renewed sampling for rabies in animals, and the first genetic characterisation of circulating rabies strains from Iraq. Human rabies is notifiable, with reported cases increasing since 2003, and a marked increase in Baghdad between 2009 and 2010. These changes coincide with increasing numbers of reported dog bites. There is no laboratory confirmation of disease or virus characterisation and no systematic surveillance for rabies in animals. To address these issues, brain samples were collected from domestic animals in the greater Baghdad region and tested for rabies. Three of 40 brain samples were positive using the fluorescent antibody test and hemi-nested RT-PCR for rabies virus (RABV). Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using partial nucleoprotein gene sequences derived from the samples demonstrated the viruses belong to a single virus variant and share a common ancestor with viruses from neighbouring countries, 22 (95% HPD 14–32) years ago. These include countries lying to the west, north and east of Iraq, some of which also have other virus variants circulating concurrently. These results suggest possible multiple introductions of rabies into the Middle East, and regular trans-boundary movement of disease. Although 4000 years have passed since the original description of disease consistent with rabies, animals and humans are still dying of this preventable and neglected zoonosis.</p> </div

Global distribution of all 562 RABV full-genome sequences according to the results of AP clustering.

<p>The width of a pie chart is representing the total number of sequences from a specific country. Forty-six newly generated sequences from previously underrepresented areas in the Near East, Europe, Southern America and Africa were included in this study. The allocation to the AP clusters, i.e. New World cluster (blue), Arctic/Arctic-like (grey), Cosmopolitan (red), and Asian (green) is indicated. The nomenclature of AP clusters was based on previously assigned names. Samples from the previously described Indian subcontinent are highlighted with a red circle (Cosmopolitan sequences), and a green circle (Asian sequences).</p

Graphical display of AP clusters over the range of input parameters for G-gene sequences (extracted from full genome sequences, S1 Table) and additional sequences from Nepal (N = 9) and Sri Lanka (N = 49) (S2 Table).

<p>G-gene analysis supported the existence of a fifth AP cluster as well as an additionally increased adjacent plateau. As the length of two cluster plateau cannot be defined, it is shaded in gray.</p

Distribution of rabies cases in Grenada in period 1 (Apr 11–Mar 12), period 2 (Apr 12–Mar 13) and period 3 (Apr 13–Mar 14).

<p>Distribution of rabies cases in Grenada in period 1 (Apr 11–Mar 12), period 2 (Apr 12–Mar 13) and period 3 (Apr 13–Mar 14).</p