Chichak Aliyeva, Tamilla Aliyeva, Khalid Bayramov, Shalala Zeynalova, Kadir Yesilbag, Fahrettin Ozcan, Bahtiyar Yilmaz
Due to the fact that the rabies virus causes lethal infections in humans and animals, it is still considered a hazardous disease. Azerbaijan and surrounding territories are described among the endemic regions for rabies. Geographical conditions allow easy transitions for wild animals from the borders and affect the endemic situations and existence of the rabies virus genotypes in a defined region. Thus the follow-up studies for the current epidemiological situation in the field are crucial.
This study aimed to molecular characterization of the recent field strains of the rabies virus circulating in Azerbaijan between 2018 and 2021. A total of 180 samples out of 238 submitted were found positive for rabies by immunofluorescence assay and real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) during the study period. Brain samples obtained from 13 infected animals (3 cattle, 3 jackals, 3 dogs, 1 cat, 2 horses and 1 fox) were submitted for sequence analysis on the basis of the N gene. Eleven out of 13 sequences were found in the Central Asian clusters CA4 and CA2 while the remaining 2 sequences were from the genetic cluster Middle East ME1. Despite a high level but not complete nucleotide identity, a phylogenetic relationship between the rabies virus spread in Azerbaijan and in the neighbouring countries (Turkey, Georgia, Iran, as well as Kazakhstan) was demonstrated. The results confirm that the strains spreading in neighbouring countries should be considered in the epidemiology and prevention of rabies.