UNDERSTANDING THE GENESIS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RABIES VIRUS STRAIN TC-80
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66211/tmvm.v11i2.337Keywords:
fixed vaccine strain, virus-neutralizing antibodies, FAVN test, PCR-restriction analysis, saiga kidney cells, oral vaccinationAbstract
Aim: This study aimed to analyse the biological, molecular and immunobiological characteristics of rabies virus strain TC-80 and to evaluate its significance as a veterinary vaccine strain. The novelty lies in the integrated presentation of long-term data on TC-80, combining biological productivity, molecular differentiation and stability, and immunobiological response in several animal species.
Materials and methods: TC-80 was propagated in continuous cell cultures, with assessment of virus and antigen accumulation. Genome-region stability was evaluated during serial passages in BHK-21 and saiga kidney (SK) cells. PCR-restriction analysis of an 878 bp fragment of the G-L intergenic/pseudogene region, partial sequencing of nucleoprotein and pseudogene fragments, and FAVN testing of sera from vaccinated cattle, horses, dogs and foxes were performed.
Results: TC-80 propagated efficiently in several cell systems, with the highest virus titres in BHK-21 and SK cells, reaching approximately 7.2-7.6 log10 MLD50/cm³. The analysed restriction profile remained stable during passage. PCR-restriction analysis and sequence comparison placed TC-80 within the SAD/ERA-related group and showed 99% nucleotide homology with SAD B19, while retaining distinguishable molecular markers. TC-80-derived vaccines induced virus-neutralizing antibody levels equal to or above 0.5 IU/ml in 88.5% of cattle and 81% of horses nine months after parenteral vaccination, and in 87.0% of dogs and 65% of foxes six months after oral vaccination.
Conclusions: These findings support the characterization of TC-80 as a biologically productive, genetically distinguishable and immunogenic fixed rabies virus strain with relevance for veterinary rabies research, vaccine-strain characterization and diagnostic applications..
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