Abstract

Eze UU, Anene BM, Chukwu CC, Ogunkoya AB, George SO, Eze JI, Animoke PC and Nwosuh CI*

This study was designed to ascertain if the rabies virus antigen found among apparently healthy dogs were viable and to which genotype they belong. One hundred and fifty two dog heads were randomly collected from markets and restaurants where dogs are slaughtered and consumed as delicacy in Enugu State, Nigeria. The brain samples from the heads were examined for the presence of rabies virus antigen by direct fluorescent antibody technique, while positive ones were isolated by the mice inoculation test. Viral genotypes of the positive samples were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Out of the one hundred and fifty two dog brain samples examined, six (4 ) were positive by direct fluorescent antibody technique and mice inoculation test. All the isolates belong to genotype 1 rabies virus. The result of this study showed that some of the apparently healthy dogs slaughtered for meat in Enugu state have classical rabies virus and possibly shed the virus in their saliva without showing obvious clinical signs. This has a serious public health implication and thus calls for a re-evaluation of rabies endemicity in Nigeria.