Full Genome Sequence and Virulence Analyses of the Recent Equine Isolate of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Masayuki SHIMOJIMA; Yumiko NAGAO; Hiroshi SHIMODA; Seiji TAMARU; Takashi YAMANAKA; Tomio MATSUMURA; Takashi KONDO; Ken MAEDA

doi:10.1292/jvms.10-0502

Virology

Full Genome Sequence and Virulence Analyses of the Recent Equine Isolate of Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Masayuki SHIMOJIMA, Yumiko NAGAO, Hiroshi SHIMODA, Seiji TAMARU, Takashi YAMANAKA, Tomio MATSUMURA, Takashi KONDO, Ken MAEDA

Author information

Masayuki SHIMOJIMA
Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University
Yumiko NAGAO
Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University
Hiroshi SHIMODA
Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University
Seiji TAMARU
Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University
Takashi YAMANAKA
Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association
Tomio MATSUMURA
Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association
Takashi KONDO
Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association
Ken MAEDA
Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University

Keywords: genotype, horse, Japanese encephalitis virus, sequence, virulence

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2011 Volume 73 Issue 6 Pages 813-816

DOI https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.10-0502

View "Advance Publication" version (January 11, 2011).

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Abstract

In the past 25 years, there has been only one case of Japanese encephalitis in horses in Japan. We determined the full genome sequence of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) strain JEV/eq/Tottori/2003 isolated from an afflicted horse and also analyzed its virulence in mice. The sequence analysis showed that the genome of JEV/eq/Tottori/2003 is similar to that of genotype I, a dominant genotype of JEV presently circulating in Japan. Its neurovirulence, but not neuroinvasiveness, was still as high as it was for genotype III, thus indicating the necessity for continuation of a vaccination program of horses against JEV.

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