Rabies

Question 1

Family

Answer 1

Rhabdoviridae

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

enveloped negative-sense ssRNA

Question 3

Locations

Answer 3

found most places except Hawaii, Japan, and New Zealand

Question 4

History

Answer 4

one of oldest viruses in known history
originated in old world bats

Question 5

1st vaccine

Answer 5

Dr. Louis Pasteur-1885

Question 6

Transmission Cycle

Answer 6

Direct transmission through bite
Rarely can be transmitted via ingestion of virus

Question 7

Main reservoirs

Answer 7

East Coast: raccoon
Midwest/West Coast: Skunk
Arizona: fox and skunk
Alaska: fox

Question 8

Pathogenesis

Answer 8

Saliva enters through the bite-> local muscle cells for ~2 days-> local nerves-> brain in 2-3 days can start infecting others

Question 9

Fast or Slow progression

Answer 9

Slow progression- average is 3-8 wks but can take up to a years depending on location of bite and species

Question 10

Clinical Signs Prodromal Stage

Answer 10

first 2-3 days after symptoms
-personality change, larynx spasms, active licking or scratching site of original bite

Question 11

Clinical Signs Excitative stage

Answer 11

next 1-7 days
animal has no fear, suffers hallucinations, and becomes very aggressive

Question 12

Clinical Signs- Paralytic or Dumb Stage

Answer 12

next 2-4 days
weakness/paralysis- larynx is paralyzed-> inability to swallow-> drooling or foaming at the mouth

Question 13

Incubation

Answer 13

Dogs: 21-80 days
Cats: 28-42 days
Wildlife: 30-180 days

Question 14

Pathologic Lesions

Answer 14

spongiform lesion in brain, brain appears swollen, congested, and inflamed, negri bodies in brain tissue

Question 15

Diagnostics

Answer 15

ONLY test is to diagnose rabies is fluorescent antibody testing of brain
Can to bloodwork, PCR or others to rule out other diseases

Question 16

Management

Answer 16

no treatment
oral rabies vaccination programs, pre- and post- vaccination for domestic animals and humans, public awareness programs