[Molecular characterization of the rabies virus' nucleoprotein in dogs from Arequipa, Peru]. / Caracterización molecular de la nucleoproteína del virus de la rabia en canes procedentes de Arequipa, Perú.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: . To characterize the nucleoprotein (N) and establish the origin of the rabies virus in dogs coming from Arequipa. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty samples of nervous tissue from the departments of Arequipa and Puno were analyzed. Total RNA was extracted from the samples and cDNA was synthesized to amplify the nucleoprotein gene, sequence it, and perform bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: . A defined group was formed with respect to the external group (European bat lyssavirus). This group was classified into two subgroups, one constituted by samples coming from Puno and Arequipa (subgroup A), and another one by samples from Puno (subgroup B), exhibiting a nucleotide identity of 99.9% in subgroup A. This group was classified in two subgroups, one constituted by samples coming from Puno and Arequipa (subgroup A), and another one by samples from Puno (subgroup B), observing a nucleotide identity of 99.9% in subgroup A. CONCLUSIONS. The groupings of viral sequences show that the cases of canine rabies reported in Arequipa are the result of the expansion of canine rabies from the endemic region of Puno.

RESUMEN

OBJETIVOS. Caracterizar la nucleoproteína (N) y establecer el origen del virus de la rabia en canes procedentes de Arequipa. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Se analizaron 30 muestras de tejido nervioso procedentes de los departamentos de Arequipa y Puno. Se extrajo el ARN total de las muestras y se sintetizó ADNc para amplificar el gen de la nucleoproteína, secuenciarlo y realizar el análisis bioinformático. RESULTADOS. Se obtuvo la formación de un grupo definido con respecto al grupo externo (European bat lyssavirus). Este grupo fue clasificado en dos subgrupos, uno constituido por muestras procedentes de Puno y Arequipa (subgrupo A), y otro por muestras de Puno (subgrupo B), observándose una identidad nucleotídica de 99,9% en el subgrupo A. CONCLUSIONES. Los agrupamientos de las secuencias virales muestran que los casos de rabia canina notificados en Arequipa son el resultado de la expansión de rabia canina procedente de la región endémica de Puno.