Rabies and Serological Testing (K9 Cases)

Question 1

Rabies

Answer 1

Iyssavirus (genus)
Wild animal reservoir
CS: Mad dog furious stage and acute progressive encephalitis

Question 2

Rabies vx

Answer 2

Killed inactivated (dogs) and live modified recombinant, carnary pox(cats), live vectored recombinant , vaccinia (wildlife)
Protected for 28 days

Question 3

Dog has the vx with documentation and
Dog has vx, not up to date with documentation

Answer 3

1. Owner observation for 45 days
2. Booster + owner observation for 45 days

Question 4

Dog has vx, not up to date and no documentation
(or maybe with vx)

Answer 4

Boost and quarantine for 4m with vet (6m if sick)
OR
Request paired sample serological monitoring under quarantine → boost and monitor for Ab response (present observe for 45 days, no= quarantine)

Question 5

Dog with no vx

Answer 5

Euthanize
OR
Strict quarantine for 4-6 m

Question 6

Serological monitoring

Answer 6

For animals that received the vx without documentation
When animals sick and with vx + serum collection as soon as possible after exposure (not > 96 hrs)

Question 7

Day 0 of serological testing

Answer 7

Collect 1-2 mL of serum
Label and keep in fridge (USDA label)
Schedule followup so pet returned in 5-7 days

Question 8

Day 5-7 of serological testing

Answer 8

Collect paired specimen, label and store
Submit for Rapid Fluorescent Foci Inhibition Test (RFFIT)
Contact Rabies Control Authority (RCA)

Question 9

Rapid Fluorescent Foci Inhibition Test (RFFIT) is considered a ____________

Answer 9

Neutralization test

Question 10

Results of the Rapid Fluorescent Foci Inhibition Test (RFFIT)

Answer 10

Paired serum sample needs to show a rise in titer between the two specimens (greater than 2-fold)
Second titer above 0.5 IU/mL for vx evidence

Question 11

______ and _______ livestock are mostly reported for rabies

Answer 11

Cattle and horses
same rabies procedure

Question 12

Steps if a healthy animal bites a human

Answer 12

Animal confined and observed for 10 days from time of exposure
Euthanize, send head and report if signs

Question 13

Best tests for rabies

Answer 13

Direct IFA (immunofluorescence for Ag)

Question 14

What other tests can you use for rabies?

Answer 14

IHC (formalin fixed brain tissue, long time)
EM (saliva)
RT-PCR (confirmatory for IFA)
Tissue culture (mouse neuroblastoma cells and baby hamster kidney cells)

Question 15

Samples for rabies testing

Answer 15

Head to brain (with brain stem)
Small animals submitted
Cold preservation
Blood sample/ saliva (not reliable)

Question 16

Furious rabies

Answer 16

Aggression, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, unprovoked biting, hyperactivity and agitation
Paralysis and seizures with progression

Question 17

Paralytic (dumb rabies)

Answer 17

Weakness + paralysis starting with hindquarters
Difficult standing or walking, loss coordination, can’t eat or drink, excessive salivation

Question 18

DD for rabies

Answer 18

Distemper (behavioral changes)
Parvovirus (lead to neuro symptoms)
Neuro infection
Brain tumors
Poisoning (tetanus, severe enterotoxemia)
Tick-borne diseases (lyme)