Molecular and antigenic characterization of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus isolated in Cuba indicates a distinct antigenic subtype

Arch Virol. 2007;152(6):1215-21. doi: 10.1007/s00705-006-0926-5. Epub 2007 Mar 5.

Abstract

Phylogenetic analyses conducted on isolates of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) from throughout the world have shown well-defined genogroups comprising representative strains of the virus and antigenic variants. In this work, we have isolated and characterized RHDV from the major epizootic that occurred in Cuba in 2004-2005. Sequence analysis of the capsid protein gene and antigenic characterization of this strain has allowed its inclusion as a member of the distinct RHDVa subtype. We also found that specific antibodies directed against RHDV reference strains bound to the Cuban isolate in a competition ELISA and inhibited virus hemagglutination in vitro. This is the second report on the molecular characterization of RHDVa circulating in the American region.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / classification
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Caliciviridae Infections / immunology
  • Caliciviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Caliciviridae Infections / virology
  • Cuba
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit / classification
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit / genetics*
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit / immunology*
  • Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit / isolation & purification
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Rabbits
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Viral Structural Proteins
  • viral protein 60, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ841708