A method based on RT-PCR and restriction endonuclease digestion of amplified PCR product was used to differentiate rabies laboratory “fixed” and “street” viruses. The primer sets from glycoprotein and nucleoprotein gene of rabies virus were used to amplify 406 and 533 bp amplicons, respectively. After amplification in RT-PCR, the PCR product was digested with HaeIII restriction endonuclease and...

Rabies antibodies in canine sera were detected and quantified by methods: virus neutralisation test on mice (VNT), rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test (RFFIT), and fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN). e results of rabies antibodies levels in non-vaccinated dogs obtained by all three methods were in correlation. e comparison of rabies antibody titres determined in vaccinated ...

Populations of a number of species of the orders Carnivora and Chiroptera maintain independent rabies epidemics in different parts of the world. However, in large parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, rabid dogs outnumber diagnosed wildlife cases. Rabies virus variants circulating in different host populations can be distinguished by the use of monoclonal antibodies and by genomic analysis....

Evidence was presented earlier that a host-cell receptor for the highly neurotropic rabies virus might be the acetylcholine receptor. The amino acid sequence of the glycoprotein of rabies virus was compared by computer analysis with that of snake venom curaremimetic neurotoxins, potent ligands of the acetylcholine receptor. A statistically significant sequence relation was found between a segme...

Bats submitted to the Texas Department of Health (1996-2000) were speciated and tested for rabies virus antigen by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Antigenic analysis of rabies virus-positive specimens was performed with monoclonal antibodies against the nucleoprotein of the virus; atypical or unexpected results were confirmed by genetic analysis of nucleoprotein sequence.

The ability to successfully and consistently vaccinate foxes, dogs, and raccoons with modified live virus rabies vaccine (ERA) in the liquid form is an accomplished fact. However, methods of incorporating the vaccine virus into an acceptable bait for field distribution remains a major stumbling block to progress in the practical application of oral rabies vaccination. In addition, we have been ...

The first human rabies case in Chile since 1972 occurred in March 1996 in a patient without history of known exposure. Antigenic and genetic characterization of the rabies isolate indicated that its reservoir was the insectivorous bat Tadarida brasiliensis. This is the first human rabies case caused by an insectivorous bat rabies virus variant reported in Latin America.

A heminested reverse transcriptase PCR (hnRT-PCR) protocol which is rapid and sensitive for the detection of rabies virus and rabies-related viruses is described. Sixty isolates from six of the seven genotypes of rabies and rabies-related viruses were screened successfully by hnRT-PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Of the 60 isolates, 93% (56 of 60) were positive by external PCR, while all is...

Persistence of multiple variants of rabies virus in wild Chiroptera and Carnivora presents a continuing challenge to medical, veterinary and wildlife management professionals. Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) targeting specific Carnivora species has emerged as an integral adjunct to conventional rabies control strategies to protect humans and domestic animals. ORV has been applied with progress to...

Rabies virus causes lethal brain infection in about 61000 people per year. Each year, tens of thousands of people receive anti-rabies prophylaxis with plasma-derived immunoglobulins and vaccine soon after exposure. Anti-rabies immunoglobulins are however expensive and have limited availability. VHH are the smallest antigen-binding functional fragments of camelid heavy chain antibodies, also cal...