Phylogeographic patterns exhibited by Ontario rabies virus variants

A previous study on N gene variation of rabies viruses circulating in Ontar io red foxes identified four viral variants. This study confirms the geogra phical localization of these variants and extends the analysis to the less conserved G gene of these viruses. A greater number of regionally localized variants was revealed and their phylogenetic relationships have been exami ned. Ongoing surveillance on recent disease outbreaks revealed that variant s do not always persist in specific areas. The distribution of these varian ts did however appear to be influenced by topographical features of the stu dy area likely to affect host animal movements and contacts. The majority o f G gene base changes were synonymous and limited glycoprotein sequence var iation predominantly to the C-terminal transmembrane and endo-domains. Thes e data are most readily explained by random appearance of genetic viral var iants followed by their spread throughout sub-populations of the fox host a ccording to the easiest routes of transmission.