Culture and Immunogenicity of a Rabies Virus Isolate from Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata)

Objective To determine the virulence and immunogenicity of a BHK-21 cell-adapted rabies virus strain isolated from ferret badger(Melogale moschata) and lay a foundation of production of rabies virus for animal use.Methods Wild rabies virus JX08-45 strain isolated from ferret badger was subcultured continuously in BHK-21 cells,then determined for titer(TCID50) by direct IFA and for exogenous virus and mycoplasma by PCR.The virus liquid was inactivated with β-propionolactone(BPL) and used for immunization of dogs.The neutralizing antibody levels of immunized dogs were determined by FAVN method,based on which the immunogenicity of the virus isolate was analyzed.Results The titer of JX08-45 strain reached 1.0 × 107.75 TCID50 / ml after subculture in vitro for 130 passages.No specific nucleic acid sequence of canine distemper virus,parvovirus,coronavirus,adenovirus or mycoplasma was amplified from the strain.All the neutralizing antibody titers of dogs immunized with the inactivated virus strain were more than 0.5 IU / ml,which last for more than one year.Conclusion Wild rabies virus JX08-45 isolated from ferret badger was well-adapted in BHK-21 cells,which showed high titer and immunogenicity and was suitable for vaccine production.