Detection of RHDV strains in the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis): earliest evidence of rabbit lagovirus cross-species infection

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Ana M Lopes (Author) Other; Sara Marques (Author) Other; Eliane Silva (Author) Other; Maria J Magalhaes (Author) Other; Ana Pinheiro (Author) Other; Paulo C Alves (Author) FCUP; Jacques Le Pendu (Author) Other; Pedro J Esteves (Author) Other; Gertrude Thompson (Author) Other; Joana Abrantes (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Veterinary Research

Vol. 45

Final page: 94

ISSN: 0928-4249

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 40 Citations

Scopus - 43 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Veterinary science

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-W0J

DOI: 10.1186/s13567-014-0094-7

Abstract (EN): Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a highly lethal Lagovirus, family Caliciviridae, that threatens European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Although a related virus severely affects hares, cross-species infection was only recently described for new variant RHDV in Cape hares (Lepus capensis mediterraneus). We sequenced two strains from dead Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) collected in the 1990s in Portugal. Clinical signs were compatible with a Lagovirus infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete capsid gene positioned them in the RHDV genogroup that circulated on the Iberian Peninsula at that time. This is the earliest evidence of RHDV affecting a species other than European rabbits.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7