Vol. 12, Issue 5 (2023)

Author(s):
Pallvi Slathia, Riya Abrol, Satuti Sharma and Sakshi Sharma

Abstract:
Rabies is caused by virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus and family Rhabdoviridae. Rabies is a zoonotic, fatal and progressive neurological infection affecting all warm-blooded animals. Because the rabid animal dies suddenly upon becoming ill, it is an acute disease. The virus is secreted in the saliva of an infected animal and it is spread by all homoeothermic animals. Wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes are the principal rabies reservoirs and are primarily responsible for transmission through bites from rabid animals and saliva of infected hosts. There is a wide range of incubation time, from two weeks to six years (average 2-3 months). Neuropathological lesions are relatively modest, despite significant neurologic symptoms and a deadly end. The rabies virus uses a number of strategies to sidestep the host's immunological defence. As a significant zoonosis, early treatment, as well as successful preventative and control measures, depend on accurate and speedy diagnosis. The gold standard test for determining whether rabies is present in fresh brain tissues is the direct immunofluorescent test (dFAT). Other methods including the polymerase chain reaction and mouse inoculation technique can also be used for diagnosis.