Typing of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus from New Zealand wild rabbits

Authors: Horner GW, Pacciarini L, O'Keefe JS, Fallacara F, Atkinson PH, Tempero J, Motha J
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 46, Issue 1, pp 42-43, Feb 1998
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Rabbit, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Viral, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Circulatory system/haematology, Species description
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Following the outbreak of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), commonly called rabbit calicivims disease (RCD) in Australasia, in Central Otago in August 1997, the virus has been spread throughout the South Island and lower North Island (Thompson and Clark, 1997). It is widely assumed that it has been introduced from Australia but there has been no evidence to confirm this. We have used molecular methods to determine the phylogeny of the New Zealand strain of RHDV and have been able to confirm that it is most closely related to the Czech V35 1 strain present in Australia. Livers were collected in Central Otago from wild rabbits that were suspected of being killed by RHDV in September of 1997. Samples from 19 livers were sent to the OIE RHDV Reference Laboratory in Brescia, Italy and five further samples were analysed at AgResearch, Wallaceville. The presence of viral antigen in these livers was confirmed by antigen ELISA tests using monoclonal antibodies specific for RHDV (Capucci et al., 1995); RNA was extracted from the livers, reverse transcribed and amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. Primers were identical to…

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