The reconstruction of spatiotemporal dynamics of SCSK inferred from the Bayesian skygrid model: dispersal rate (a) and wavefront velocity (b).

<p>Years are shown on the horizontal axis. The dashed lines indicate 95% HPD.</p

Map (a) and maximum clade credibility tree (b) of SCSK G gene sequences used in the study.

<p>Posterior probabilities are shown for key nodes, and timescale is present at the bottom. To show the phylogenetic position of SCSK in the context of other related RABV lineages, several representative G gene sequences of raccoon RABV (RACCOON), north-central/central Mexican skunk RABV (MXSK), bat RABV (BAT) are shown, and a canine RABV is used as an outgroup.</p

The reconstructed spatiotemporal diffusion of SCSK at different time points from 1860 to 2013.

<p>Black lines show a spatial projection of a representative phylogeny, with each node being mapped to its known (external node) or estimated (internal node) location. In each panel colored clouds (cumulative, in different colors for each state) represent statistical uncertainty in the estimated locations of the SCSK lineages (95% HPD regions). In the last panel (2013), white circles indicate isolate sampling locations.</p

Convergent changes among branches of interest in the bat and terrestrial RABV datasets.

1<p>Branch numbers are corresponding to the number shown in the nodes (<a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002786#ppat.1002786.s001" target="_blank">Figure S1</a>).</p

Test results for positive selection analysis, and summary of amino acid substitutions.

1<p>Significance of test statistics (* <i>P</i><0.05, ** <i>P</i><0.01).</p>2<p>The infinite value is due to absence of synonymous change in foreground branch.</p>3<p>The information is arranged in the order: position, change, branch.</p>4<p>Amino acid changes with bold character were changes that occurred at terminal branches.</p

Reconstruction of post-host shift amino acid changes.

<p>Left: Bayesian tree of EF-W1 lineage, based on the entire coding region of G gene (1572 nuc). The branches involved in host-shift are marked with red. The amino acid changes occurred within these branches were defined “post-host shift” changes. Other branches that lead to terrestrial mammal RABV are marked with green. Right: the magnification of the three clusters involved in the Flagstaff host shifts. For clarity, the branch length did not reflect substitutions per site. The branches with non-synonymous changes are marked with pink, and numbers of changes are shown above and below. For more details see <a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002786#ppat-1002786-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>.</p

Bayesian tree of the EF-W1 lineage.

<p>Skunk viruses are colored in red, fox viruses are colored in blue, other mesocarnivoran viruses are colored in green; bat viruses are black. Posterior probabilities are indicated at key nodes.</p

An inter- laboratory proficiency testing exercise for rabies diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean

<div><p>The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), is performed in all rabies reference laboratories across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Despite DFA being a critical capacity in the control of rabies, there is not a standardized protocol in the region. We describe the results of the first inter-laboratory proficiency exercise of national rabies laboratories in LAC countries as part of the regional efforts towards dog-maintained rabies elimination in the American region. Twenty three laboratories affiliated to the Ministries of Health and Ministries of Agriculture participated in this exercise. In addition, the laboratories completed an online questionnaire to assess laboratory practices. Answers to the online questionnaire indicated large variability in the laboratories throughput, equipment used, protocols availability, quality control standards and biosafety requirements. Our results will inform actions to improve and harmonize laboratory rabies capacities across LAC in support for the regional efforts towards elimination of dog-maintained rabies.</p></div

Selected questions of the rabies laboratory practices questionnaire and results.

<p>Selected questions of the rabies laboratory practices questionnaire and results.</p

Agreement between Laboratory and CDC values, by Sample.

<p>Agreement between Laboratory and CDC values, by Sample.</p