MOLECULAR STUDY OF NUCLEPROTEIN GENE OF RABIES VIRUS ISOLATES FROM DOG BRAINS

Abstract

Rabies is an endemic disease in Nigeria and it produces disease in warm-blooded animal species. In this report, molecular techniques have been used to study seven rabies isolates from the brain of Dogs in Lagos. Analysis of the 1400-b.p RT-PCR products of the N gene and the views by sequencing and restriction endonuclease analysis enabled division of isolates into 3 types. The conclusion from the study is that RT-PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis of the amplified products of the N gene would allow identification and differentiation of rabies virus strains in a location and in different parts of Nigeria.


(Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(2): 48-54)