Molecular Detection of Rabies Virus in Brain Tissues of Stray Dogs in Kaduna State

Rabies caused by the Lyssavirus genus remains a significant public health threat in northern Nigeria, where stray dog populations are poorly managed and vaccination programmes are inconsistently implemented. This study performs molecular detection of rabies virus in brain tissue samples obtained from stray dogs captured and euthanised under animal control operations in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Brain stem tissue samples will be collected from 100 euthanised stray dogs across Kaduna North, Chikun, and Sanga local government areas. Fluorescent antibody test (FAT) will be performed as the primary diagnostic method, with RT-PCR targeting the nucleoprotein gene conducted for confirmatory analysis and phylogenetic characterisation. Demographic data including estimated age, sex, body condition score, and capture location will be recorded. Prior molecular studies from northern Nigeria have identified predominance of Africa-2 lyssavirus lineage in dog brain tissues, with evidence of endemic transmission cycles. Findings will determine the current rabies virus infection rate in Kaduna's stray dog population, providing data for the State Government's One Health rabies control task force. This study also establishes baseline molecular data for comparing future intervention outcomes of mass dog vaccination campaigns planned under the Global Framework for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies. Keywords: rabies virus, stray dogs, molecular detection, Kaduna State, FAT