Phylogenetic analysis of Indian rabies virus isolates targeting the complete glycoprotein gene

Rabies a fatal viral zoonosis is endemic in India. There is no report on phylogenetic study of Indian rabies virus isolates based on the complete G gene. In the present study, a total of 25 rabies positive brain samples collected during 2001–2014 from North India (UP, MP, Delhi, Rajasthan), South India (Kerala and Karnataka) and Gujarat states belonging to six different host species were subjected to G gene amplification by RT-PCR as three overlapping fragments of 881bp, 991bp and 618bp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Indian rabies virus isolates are genetically closely related with Arctic-like 1a lineage viruses. However, two distinct clusters were identified namely, India South and India North. All the Indian rabies isolates had 95.5–100% homology related to geography, but not to host species. Deduced amino acids on comparison revealed two amino acid changes, aa 356 in ECTO; N→K and aa 458; M→I, which were found to distinguish between the India South and India North isolates. •A first time complete G gene (1575bp) molecular analysis of Indian rabies virus isolates•First ever report with ample isolates from North India•All the isolates are related to Arctic-like 1a lineage.•Separate region wise clustering of isolates; India South and India North•Genetic markers at amino acid level distinguish India South and India North isolates.