Genomic Variation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Rabies Lyssavirus: Online Database Mining and Computational Approaches

Abstract

Abstract: Rabies lyssavirus, a species within the Rhabdoviridae family. This neurotropic virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected animals, particularly dogs, bats, and other wildlife. Its genomic structure consists of a single-stranded RNA and exhibits a bullet-shaped appearance under electron microscopy. Rabies poses a significant public health threat globally due to its nearly 100% fatality rate once clinical symptoms appear. Clinical symptoms of rabies include neurological signs such as hydrophobia and aerophobia, which progress to severe encephalitis and ultimately result in death.

Material and Methods: The study, using a retrospective observational design over six months, precisely selected rabies lyssavirus sequences meeting stringent inclusion criteria and excluding irrelevant or low-quality data. GenBank and NCBI Nucleotide databases provided comprehensive genomic sequences for the N and G genes. Computational analysis, including Clustal Omega and BLAST, identified nucleotide variations, while MEGA software constructed phylogenetic trees. This approach allowed for dynamic insights into genomic diversity and evolutionary relationships among the studied rabies lyssavirus strains.

Results: The N gene demonstrates lower variability than the G gene, reflecting functional constraints essential for viral survival. Synonymous mutations prevail in the conserved N gene, contrasting the G gene's unique mutations, hinting at immune-driven adaptations aiding viral survival. Mutations in the G gene which are responsible for impact blood-brain barrier permeability, influencing RABV pathogenesis. A pattern of Adenine to Guanine substitutions, suggesting selective pressures or mutational biases. Phylogenetic analyses unveil interconnectedness among European and global RABV strains, hinting at shared transmission routes.

Conclusion: This study unravels contrasting mutation rates between Rabies lyssavirus' N and G genes, showcasing the N gene's conserved role and the G gene's diverse mutations in potential immune evasion. However, these findings offer a limited view of the virus's complex evolution, emphasizing the need for further research to better understand RABV's dynamics for improved vaccine development and control.