Sequence analyses of the N gene in rabies viruses from Fujian province.

To determine genotypes and evolutionary relationship between rabies viruses circulating in Fujian province,and explore differences of the viral nucleoprotein at nucleotide and amino acid level between these street strains and vaccine strains.Totally 89 canine brains were collected from several districts of Fujian in 2007-2009.Full-length N gene fragments from all positive specimens were amplified,cloned and sequenced.Sequence analyses confirmed their rabid origin,all belonged to Genotype I,Nineteen RABV fragments were classified into three groups,based on nucleotide and deduced amino acid homology.These results suggested a distinct geographic distribution of rabies viruses in Fujian.The nucleotide homology of RABV N gene was between 99.7%~100% within the group,86.4%~89.3% at inter-group level.The amino acid homology of RABV N gene ranged 98.9%~100%,while 95.3 %~98.4% at inter-group level.Comparison of N gene sequences between these prevalent street strains in Fujian and those from 6 commercial rabies vaccines revealed a homology between 86.5%~98.9%,These results suggested that healthy dogs may act as hosts for rabies viruses,and that current vaccines could effectively protect individuals from RABV infection in Fujian.