Serological evidence for the presence of non-pathogenic rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus-like strains in rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus of the Kerguelen archipelago

• Published in: Polar biology Vol. 33; no. 7; pp. 985 - 989
• Main Authors: Marchandeau, Stéphane, Bertagnoli, Stéphane, Léonard, Yves, Santin-Janin, Hugues, Péralta, Brigitte, Le Gall-Reculé, Ghislaine, Pontier, Dominique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Verlag 01.07.2010
• Subjects: Animal biology; Life Sciences; Microbiology and Parasitology; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Veterinary medicine and animal Health; Virology; Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus; Oryctolagus cuniculus; Kerguelen archipelago; Antibodies
• ISSN: 0722-4060; 1432-2056
• DOI: 10.1007/s00300-010-0778-z

Antibodies raised against a Lagovirus were found in healthy rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus sampled in 2003 and 2004 in the Kerguelen archipelago. The serological test we used enabled the detection of antibodies due to both pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses related to the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). The overall proportion of seropositive rabbits was 35% and differed between sites. Since previous studies have failed to detect antibodies raised against pathogenic RHDV strains, the antibodies detected in the present study were likely due to non-pathogenic strains. The interest of these strains circulating in the Kerguelen archipelago is that they have evolved independently of those detected in the other parts of the world and should derive from an ancestral RHDV precursor. Their characterization may help understanding the evolution of the virus and the emergence of the disease.