Pathology And Molecular Detection of Rabies

Virus in Ferret Badgers Associated With a Rabies

Outbreak In Taiwan
By: Josh Casto Period: 1:00 pm. Date: April 9, 2018

Introduction:

The paper that I decided to write my summary on was entitled “Pathology And

Molecular Detection Of Rabies Virus In Ferret Badgers Associated With A Rabies

Outbreak In Taiwan”. This scientific work was performed and written by Hue-Ying

Chiou, Chian-Ren Jeng, Hurng-Yi Wang, Satoshi Inoue, Fang-Tse Chan, Jiunn-Wang

Liao, Ming-Tang Chiou, and Victor Fei Pang.

Abstract:

In this study, these scientists were researching the recent outbreak of the Rabies

Virus in Taiwanese Ferret Badger (Melogale Moschata Subaurantiaca) . Because

Taiwan hasn’t seen a case of the rabies virus in 50 plus years, they decided to study

this case to detect if there were any signs of the rabies virus in the Ferret Badgers.

Material and Methods:

For there materials and methods of conducting the research, they obtained three

recently dead Ferret Badgers who were suspected of the rabies virus, and six other

dead Ferret Badgers who were provided that were killed by other sources not known if it

was the rabies virus. They performed a Histopathologic examination on all the dead

Ferret Badgers, performed an immunohistochemical staining on the Ferret Badgers to

test the immune system response of the Badgers, performed a fluorescent antibody test
to determine antibody activity, and then analyzed a reverse transcription-PCR and

sequence analysis of the Ferret Badgers. For more information on the specific

measurements, look at the results from their report in the reference.

Results:

For the results that were gained from this research, they detected signs of the

rabies virus in Ferret Badgers 1-5 using the immunohistochemical staining detection

method and found the apparent, but variable amount of the rabies virus. They also

discovered the rabies virus strain using the fluorescent antibody test and were

especially apparent in the first three Ferret Badgers that were suspected of having the

virus. The rabies virus was also tested for using the nucleic acid detection of the rabies

virus using RT-PCR sequencing analysis and found the strain presence strongly in the

first three Ferret Badgers suspected of having the virus. When they found evidence of

the rabies virus in the fourth and fifth Ferret Badgers, it showed that the virus has been

detected as early as 2004 meaning that it has been present for multiple years since the

outbreak was discovered in 2013. They also concluded that it is very possible that the

rabies virus could have been present even before it was detected and possibly could

have been present during the period in which the virus was thought to be free from

Taiwan when it might not have been the case.

Discussion:

To discuss the results from the experiments, it is known that Ferret Badgers 1-5

had evidence of having the rabies virus. Through the immunohistochemical staining,
fluorescent antibody test, and the RT-PCR sequence analysis it was found that these

Badgers had the strain and that Ferret Badgers 4 and 5 showed evidence that they had

it for multiple years and through more data they speculate that this recent outbreak may

not be so recent afterall. They think that Taiwan wasn’t free of rabies at all in those 50

years, but that they just haven’t seen any cases and the disease wasn’t spreading as

much until the recent outbreak. Although we can’t be sure if this is the case, this could

possibly be the situation until further research is done. They speculate that during the

19th century when Taiwan was under Japanese control, when the first case of rabies

was discovered, that animal migration and human mediated animal translocation are

thought to have had the largest impact on the spread of the rabies virus that has

prevailed to this day. Because of the outbreak of the virus and the spreading of it

through forest life from canines, Ferret Badgers, and other animals that are in the same

habitat as humans, they fear for the health of humans and other animals and may have

an effect on the economy. They plan on researching further to find a vaccine to this

strain of rabies to protect humans and other animals alike.

Reference (APA Format):

Chiou, Hue-Ying, & Jeng, Chian-Ren, & Wang, Hurng-Yi, & Inoue, Satoshi, & Chan,
Fang-Tse, & Liao, Jiunn-Wang, & Chiou, Ming-Tang, & Pang, Victor Fei. (2015,
July 30). Pathology and molecular detection of rabies virus in ferret badgers
associated with a rabies outbreak in taiwan. Journal of Wildlife Disease.
Lawrence, KS: Wildlife Disease Association. Retrieved from
http://jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2015-01-007?code=wdas-site