Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40043048›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Genomic characterization of a dog-mediated rabies outbreak in El Pedregal, Arequipa, Peru.

Renzo Salazar, Kirstyn Brunker, Elvis W Díaz, Edith Zegarra, Ynes Monroy, Gorky N Baldarrago, Katty Borrini-Mayorí, Micaela De la Puente-León, Natasha Palmalux, Jenna Nichols and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Cave dogs around major urban areas threaten rabies elimination program.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025
    Article
  4. Review
  5. Nanopore sequencing in veterinary medicine: from concepts to clinical applications.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2025
    Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Renzo SalazarZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Kirstyn BrunkerSchool of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0001-9990-6299
Elvis W DíazZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Edith ZegarraLaboratorio de Referencia Regional de la Gerencia Regional de Salud de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú.
Ynes MonroyLaboratorio de Referencia Regional de la Gerencia Regional de Salud de Arequipa, Arequipa, Perú.
Gorky N BaldarragoRed de Salud Arequipa Caylloma, Ministerio de Salud, Arequipa, Perú.
Katty Borrini-MayoríZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Micaela De la Puente-LeónZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Natasha PalmaluxMRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Jenna NicholsMRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Sandeep KasaragodSchool of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Michael Z LevyZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
Katie HampsonSchool of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Ricardo Castillo-NeyraZoonotic Disease Research Lab, One Health Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.ORCID 0000-0001-6629-2139

Funding

Spatially responsive mass vaccination strategies for urban rabiesR01AI168291 · NIAID · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI Ricardo Castillo Neyra · 2022 to 2026
$3.2M
Research Training in Integration of Epidemiology and Implementation Science for Neglected Zoonotic Disease Control in PeruD43TW012741 · FIC · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI Ricardo Castillo Neyra, Valerie Andrea Paz-Soldan · 2024 to 2026
$723k
Control and Prevention of Zoonotic Epidemics in Cities: A Socio-Spatial ApproachK01AI139284 · NIAID · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · PI CASTILLO NEYRA, RICARDO · 2019 to 2023
$710k
FIC NIH HHS D43 TW012741NIAID NIH HHS K01 AI139284NIAID NIH HHS R01 AI168291Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRabies, a re-emerging zoonosis with the highest known human case fatality rate, has been largely absent from Peru, except for endemic circulation in the Puno region on the Bolivian border and re-emergence in Arequipa City in 2015, where it has persisted. In 2021, an outbreak occurred in the rapidly expanding city of El Pedregal near Arequipa, followed by more cases in 2022 after nearly a year of epidemiological silence. While currently under control, questions persist regarding the origin of the El Pedregal outbreak and implications for maintaining rabies control in Peru.

methodsWe sequenced 25 dog rabies virus (RABV) genomes from the El Pedregal outbreak (n=11) and Arequipa City (n=14) from 2021-2023 using Nanopore sequencing in Peru. Historical genomes from Puno (n=4, 2010-2012) and Arequipa (n=5, 2015-2019), were sequenced using an Illumina approach in the UK. In total, 34 RABV genomes were generated, including archived and newly obtained samples. The genomes were analyzed phylogenetically to understand the outbreak's context and origins.

resultsPhylogenomic analysis identified two genetic clusters in El Pedregal: 2021 cases stemmed from a single introduction unrelated to Arequipa cases, while the 2022 sequence suggested a new introduction from Arequipa rather than persistence. In relation to canine RABV diversity in Latin America, all new sequences belonged to the new minor clade, Cosmopolitan Am5, sharing relatives from Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil.

conclusionGenomic insights into the El Pedregal outbreak revealed multiple introductions over a 2-year window. Eco-epidemiological conditions, including migratory worker patterns, suggest human-mediated movement drove introductions. Despite outbreak containment, El Pedregal remains at risk of dog-mediated rabies due to ongoing circulation in Arequipa, Puno, and Bolivia. Human-mediated movement of dogs presents a major risk for rabies re-emergence in Peru, jeopardizing regional dog-mediated rabies control. Additional sequence data is needed for comprehensive phylogenetic analyses.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksDog DiseasesGenome, ViralRabiesRabies virusAnimalsDogsGenomicsHumansPeruPhylogeny

Identifiers

PMID40043048
PMCPMC12043231

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.