Rabies virus Member of the Lyssavirus of the Rhabdoviridae Dongli Pan Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology Zhejiang University School of Medicine pandongli@zju.edu.cn
Baltimore classification DNA viruses RNA viruses Baltimore classification Fields Virology, 6th edition
1. Biological properties Has a cylindrical morphology -ssRNA enveloped virus capsid has helical symmetry Is a neurotropic virus
Negri body 内基小体 Forms round or oval acidophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Negri body in the cytoplasm of infected neuron
Rabies Transmission – by the bite of a rabid animal (commonly a dog or a cat) – the contamination of scratch wounds by virus- infected saliva. Clinical findings Incubation/prodromal period 1 to 3 months CNS infection Hydrophobia. This fear of water is the result of the pain associated with drinking. Seizures and hallucinations. Paralysis may lead to respiratory failure. Coma Mortality is >99%. Most deadly virus!
Pathogenesis
Laboratory diagnosis Animals: Animals in a rabies endemic area should beheld for 10 days for observation. If the animal is sick, kill the animal and collect samples from hippocampus tissues and look for 1) Negri bodies 2) viral antigens by immunofluorescence Human: Collect samples of saliva, serum, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies and perform RT-PCR or immunofluorescence. 海马回
Postexposure rabies prophylaxis Long incubation period is the basis of postexposure prophylaxis Local wound care Cleanse wound with soap and water. Sterilize with ethanol or iodine. Combination of passive and active immunization: Passive immunization with rabies antiserum (HRIG,given the day before or on the day of active immunization) Active immunization with antirabies vaccine (HDCV, im given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28).