Mokola virus involved in a human contact (South Africa)

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2010 Feb;58(1):85-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2009.00609.x. Epub 2009 Sep 8.

Abstract

Isolations of Mokola virus (MOKV) are rare, but in South Africa and Zimbabwe this genotype 3 lyssavirus variant has been occasionally found in domestic mammals (cats and a dog) with a total of 17 virus isolates (South Africa 10, Zimbabwe 7) having been recovered during the past 30 years. We report the identification of a MOKV isolate involved in a human contact in Grahamstown (Eastern Cape, South Africa) and a genetic comparison with previously characterized isolates. This reported MOKV case was in a previously immunized cat. While the continual recovery of MOKV isolates in domestic cats is speculative of the existence of a reservoir host species among bats or rodents, the lack of protection with currently used vaccines is discussed and the need for biologicals with a wider spectrum of protection against this lyssavirus variant is highlighted.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / virology*
  • Cat Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Cat Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases* / virology
  • Cats
  • Humans
  • Lyssavirus* / classification
  • Lyssavirus* / genetics
  • Lyssavirus* / isolation & purification
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Rhabdoviridae Infections / virology
  • South Africa / epidemiology