rabies virus

Pictures

Picture	Title	Caption	Copyright
Title Symptoms Caption Rabies virus; Here, two dogs are afflicted with dumb rabies, manifested as depression and an attempt at self-imposed isolation. Domesticated animals afflicted with dumb rabies may become increasingly depressed, and try to hide in isolated places, while wild animals seem to lose their fear of human beings, often appearing unusually friendly. Copyright Public Domain - Released by the Centre for Disease Controls (CDC)	Symptoms	Rabies virus; Here, two dogs are afflicted with dumb rabies, manifested as depression and an attempt at self-imposed isolation. Domesticated animals afflicted with dumb rabies may become increasingly depressed, and try to hide in isolated places, while wild animals seem to lose their fear of human beings, often appearing unusually friendly.	Public Domain - Released by the Centre for Disease Controls (CDC)
Title Symptoms Caption Rabies virus; close up of a dog's face, showing symptoms of late paralytic rabies. USA. 1963. Copyright Public Domain - Released by the Centre for Disease Controls (CDC)/Barbara Andrews-1963	Symptoms	Rabies virus; close up of a dog's face, showing symptoms of late paralytic rabies. USA. 1963.	Public Domain - Released by the Centre for Disease Controls (CDC)/Barbara Andrews-1963

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• rabies virus

Other Scientific Names

• rhabdovirus

International Common Names

• English: rabies virus serotype 1

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Virus
•     Unknown: "Positive sense ssRNA viruses"
•         Unknown: "RNA viruses"
•             Order: Mononegavirales
•                 Family: Rhabdoviridae
•                     Genus: Lyssavirus
•                         Species: rabies virus

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Pathogen Characteristics

Six distinct genetic lineages can be distinguished within the genus Lyssavirus by cross-protection tests (Smith et al., 1973; Baer, 1991), namely the true rabies virus itself (serotype 1), Lagos bat virus (serotype 2), Mokola rhabdovirus (serotype 3), and Duvenhage rhabdovirus (serotype 4). The European bat lyssaviruses (EBL), subdivided into two biotypes, EBL1 and EBL2, are also members of the Lyssavirus genus, but are not yet classified into serotypes. Viruses of serotypes 2-4 and EBL are known as rabies-related viruses. The use of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against viral nucleocapsid or glycoprotein antigens, and the sequencing of defined genomic areas has made possible the definition of numerous subtypes within each serotype.

The identification of the agent can be made in specialized laboratories by identifying variant virus strains through the use of monoclonal antisera, specific nucleic acid probes, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA sequencing. Such techniques can distinguish between field and vaccine strains, and may possibly identify the geographical origin of the field strains (Diaz et al., 1994; Roehe et al., 1997).

Rabies virus is destroyed rapidly at temperatures >50°C, survives no more than a few hours at room temperature, and can be destroyed by conventional disinfectants. However, the virus can persist for weeks in brain tissue in carcasses and for years in frozen tissues.

Disease(s) associated with this pathogen is/are on the list of diseases notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The distribution section contains data from OIE's Handistatus database on disease occurrence. Please see the AHPC library for further information from OIE, including the International Animal Health Code and the Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines. Also see the website: www.oie.int.

Vectors and Intermediate Hosts

References

Baer GM, 1991. The natural history of rabies. 2nd Edition. The natural history of rabies. 2nd Edition., 620 pp.; many ref.

Diaz AM; Papo S; Rodriguez A; Smith JS, 1994. Antigenic analysis of rabies-virus isolates from Latin America and the Caribbean. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. Series B, 41(3):153-160; 11 ref.

OIE Handistatus, 2002. World Animal Health Publication and Handistatus II (dataset for 2001). Paris, France: Office International des Epizooties.

OIE Handistatus, 2003. World Animal Health Publication and Handistatus II (dataset for 2002). Paris, France: Office International des Epizooties.

OIE Handistatus, 2004. World Animal Health Publication and Handistatus II (data set for 2003). Paris, France: Office International des Epizooties.

OIE Handistatus, 2005. World Animal Health Publication and Handistatus II (data set for 2004). Paris, France: Office International des Epizooties.

Roehe PM; Pantoja LD; Shaefer R; Nardi NB; King AA, 1997. Analysis of Brazilian rabies virus isolates with monoclonal antibodies to Lyssavirus antigens. Revista de Microbiologia, 28(4):288-292; 27 ref.

Smith JS; Yager PA; Baer GC, 1973. A rapid reproducible test for determining rabies neutralizing antibody. Bulletin of WHO, 48:535-541.

Distribution Maps