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Rabies
- Virus: ssRNA bullet-shaped Rhabdoviridae; Lyssavirus genus
- Reservoir: warm-blooded mammals; primary global concern dogs (95% human cases globally)
- Regional reservoirs:
- Africa + Asia: dogs (largest burden)
- Americas: bats (USA primary), raccoons, skunks, foxes, dogs (S America)
- Europe: foxes (controlled mostly with oral wildlife vaccine)
- Bats: worldwide; even species without obvious bite (skin contact)
- Burden: ~ 59,000 human deaths/yr globally; 95% in Asia + Africa
- Transmission:
- Animal bite (saliva contains virus)
- Scratch + saliva contact with broken skin
- Mucous membrane exposure (rare)
- Aerosol in caves with bat populations (very rare)
- Organ/tissue transplant (4 USA cases from donor with undiagnosed rabies, 2004 incident)
- Pathogenesis:
- Inoculation site â muscle replication
- Retrograde axonal transport to CNS (slow, weeks-months)
- Reaches brainstem + cortex
- Replication in CNS
- Anterograde spread to salivary glands â infectious saliva
- Incubation: 1-3 months (range 5 days - 7 years)
- Shorter with proximal bites + head/face wounds
- Severity of wound + viral load + species
- Clinical:
- Prodrome (2-10 d): fever, malaise, pain/paresthesia at wound site (pathognomonic), anxiety
- Encephalitic (âfuriousâ) rabies (80%): hyperexcitability, hydrophobia, aerophobia, hypersalivation, agitation, seizures, autonomic dysfunction â coma â death
- Paralytic (âdumbâ) rabies (20%): ascending flaccid paralysis (mimics GBS), longer survival
- Coma + death: typically within 1-2 weeks of symptom onset
- Diagnosis (Antemortem):
- Skin biopsy nape of neck â immunofluorescent staining for viral antigen
- CSF + saliva PCR (RT-PCR)
- Rabies antibody titer (low sensitivity)
- Post-Mortem:
- Negri bodies in Purkinje cells of cerebellum + hippocampal neurons â eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions (pathognomonic)
- Immunofluorescent staining of brain tissue
- Mortality: ~ 100% after symptom onset (a few survivor reports with Milwaukee protocol â extremely rare)
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) â Lifesaving:
- Wound care: thorough wash with soap + water + virucidal (povidone-iodine)
- HRIG (Human Rabies Immunoglobulin) 20 IU/kg â infiltrate wound + remainder IM (or all IM if not feasible)
- Rabies vaccine 4-dose schedule (HDCV or PCEC): Days 0, 3, 7, 14 (immunocompromise add Day 28)
- Together: essentially 100% effective if given before symptoms
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): 3-dose vaccine for high-risk (veterinarian, animal handler, traveler to endemic areas, lab worker) â Days 0, 7, 21 or 28
- Vaccination: cell-culture vaccines preferred (HDCV, PCEC, PVRV); neural tissue vaccines (Semple) being phased out due adverse events
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
- Rhabdoviridae, Vesiculovirus genus
- Cattle, horse, pig disease
- Rare mild human (febrile illness + oral ulcers)
- Treatment: supportive
Mokola Virus
- Africa, Lyssavirus
- Rare human cases (encephalitis)
- Bats + rodents
Australian Bat Lyssavirus
- Australia bats
- Human cases (post-bat exposure)
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis with rabies vaccine works
1ïžâ£ Rabies Virology
Structure
- ssRNA, bullet-shaped (~ 180 nm à 75 nm)
- 5 proteins: N, P, M, G, L
- G protein = neutralizing antigen + vaccine target
- Rhabdoviridae family
- Lyssavirus genus
Genotypes
- Genotype 1: rabies virus (worldwide)
- Genotype 2-14: bat lyssaviruses (regional)
- Australian bat lyssavirus (genotype 7)
- European bat lyssavirus (genotypes 5, 6)
- Lagos bat lyssavirus (genotype 2)
- Mokola virus (genotype 3)
Pathogenesis
Stage 1: Inoculation + Local Replication
- Virus deposited in muscle tissue
- Replication in muscle cells (slow)
- Eventually enters peripheral nerve endings
Stage 2: Centripetal Spread to CNS
- Retrograde axonal transport through peripheral nerves
- Very slow (~ 1-2 mm/hour)
- Reaches dorsal root ganglia â spinal cord â brainstem â cerebrum
- This phase = incubation period clinically
Stage 3: CNS Replication
- Widespread neuronal infection
- Negri bodies form (eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions)
- Limbic system + hypothalamus involvement â behavioral + autonomic changes
Stage 4: Centrifugal Spread
- Anterograde axonal transport
- Reaches salivary glands, skin, organs
- Infectious saliva (= transmission window for next animal)
Stage 5: Death
- Coma + multi-organ failure
- Usually within 1-2 weeks of symptom onset
2ïžâ£ Epidemiology
Global Distribution
- ~ 59,000 human deaths/yr (WHO estimates; possibly underreported)
- 95% in Asia + Africa
- India alone: 35% of global cases
- China + SE Asia + sub-Saharan Africa significant
- USA: 1-3 human deaths/yr (mostly bat exposure)
- Australia: rare (Australian bat lyssavirus)
- Antarctica: rabies-free
Reservoir + Vectors
Domestic Dogs (Asia + Africa)
- Major source globally
- 95% human cases from dog bites
- Mass dog vaccination = primary public health strategy
- WHO + OIE 2030 elimination of dog-mediated rabies goal
Bats (USA + Australia + Globally)
- USA primary reservoir
- Even species that donât bite (skin contact) can transmit (saliva)
- Insectivorous bats most common
- Bats in homes (especially bedrooms) â recommend PEP even without identified bite
Wild Carnivores
- Raccoons (USA Northeast)
- Skunks (USA Central + West)
- Foxes (Europe; controlled by oral wildlife vaccine baits)
- Coyotes (USA Texas)
- Mongoose (Caribbean, India)
- Jackals (Asia)
Other Animals
- Cats: spread from animals
- Small rodents (mice, rats, squirrels) â NOT typically rabid (donât survive infection)
- Pet ferrets, rabbits â rare
- Cattle, horses â can be infected, usually not source
Geographic Trends
- USA: bat-mediated rabies primary; dog rabies eliminated (occasional imported)
- S America: dog rabies in some countries; vampire bat rabies
- Asia: dog rabies dominant
- Africa: dog rabies dominant
- Europe: fox rabies mostly controlled; rare cases
3ïžâ£ Clinical
Incubation Period
- 1-3 months typical (range 5 days to > 7 years)
- Shorter with:
- Proximal bites (face, scalp, head, neck â closer to CNS)
- Severe wounds
- High viral inoculum
- Specific virus genotype
Prodromal Phase (2-10 Days)
- Fever, malaise
- Pain or paresthesia at wound site (pathognomonic clue â even healed)
- Anxiety, irritability
- Nausea
- Sore throat
Acute Neurologic Phase
Encephalitic (âFuriousâ) Rabies â 80%
- Hyperexcitability + hyperactivity
- Hydrophobia (drinking attempts â painful pharyngeal spasm; pathognomonic)
- Aerophobia (puff of air â spasm)
- Hypersalivation (âfoaming at mouthâ)
- Agitation, restlessness
- Hyperthermia
- Autonomic dysfunction: arrhythmia, BP swings, papilledema
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Lucid intervals between agitation
- Progresses to coma
Paralytic (âDumbâ) Rabies â 20%
- Ascending flaccid paralysis
- Mimics GBS
- Onset at site of wound
- Loss of reflexes
- Longer survival (weeks)
- No hydrophobia / aerophobia typically
Coma + Death
- 1-2 weeks after symptom onset
- Respiratory + cardiac failure
- Multi-organ failure
- Some prolong survival with ICU support but recovery extremely rare
Survival Reports â Milwaukee Protocol
- 2004 Jeanna Giese case (Wisconsin) â first documented survivor without prior vaccination
- Milwaukee Protocol: induced coma + ketamine + supportive
- ~ 30 attempts globally; ~ 5 documented survivors
- 2024 controversies: protocol effectiveness questioned; some now disfavor
- Most patients still die despite protocol
4ïžâ£ Diagnosis
Antemortem
Skin Biopsy Nape of Neck
- Hair follicle innervation by sensory neurons containing virus
- Immunofluorescent staining for viral antigen
- Sensitivity 50-70%
CSF + Saliva PCR (RT-PCR)
- Sensitive in symptomatic phase
- Repeat samples increase sensitivity
Serum + CSF Rabies Antibody Titer
- Low sensitivity in unvaccinated patients
- Useful in distinguishing from vaccine response
Postmortem
- Negri bodies in Purkinje cells of cerebellum + hippocampal neurons + medulla
- Eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions (pathognomonic)
- Immunofluorescent antigen staining of brain tissue
- PCR of brain tissue
Animal Testing
- Suspected animal: humane euthanasia + brain testing
- Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) staining of brain tissue (gold standard for animal rabies)
- 1-2 day result
Differential
- Tetanus (different muscle spasm pattern, no hydrophobia)
- Encephalitis (other causes)
- Atypical GBS
- Psychiatric (consider after rule out organic)
- Strychnine poisoning
5ïžâ£ Treatment
Once Symptomatic: Almost Always Fatal
- Aggressive supportive care
- ICU
- Milwaukee Protocol attempted in rare cases (controversial 2024)
- Palliative care
6ïžâ£ Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Triage After Exposure
Was There an Exposure?
- Bite, scratch, saliva contact with broken skin or mucous membrane
- Bat bite/scratch (even without obvious mark â bat in home)
- Solid organ transplant from donor with undiagnosed rabies
Animal Risk Assessment
- Domesticated dog/cat/ferret:
- Observe 10 days if available â if remains healthy, no rabies
- If develops symptoms â euthanize + test
- Vaccinated animal lower risk
- Wild carnivores (bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote): assume rabid; PEP immediately
- Stray, unknown vaccination: PEP
- Small rodents, rabbits: usually no PEP (low risk)
- Geographic context: imported from endemic country
PEP Components
1. Wound Care
- Thorough wash with soap + water à 15 min
- Virucidal: povidone-iodine, ethanol
- Donât suture wound (risk of inoculation deeper)
- Tetanus update
2. HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin)
- 20 IU/kg total dose
- Infiltrate around wound as much as anatomically feasible
- Remainder IM at distant site (gluteal)
- Within 7 days of vaccine first dose (best with first dose, but can give up to 7 days)
- If previously vaccinated (PrEP): NO HRIG needed
3. Rabies Vaccine
- Cell-culture vaccine (HDCV â Human Diploid Cell Vaccine; PCEC â Purified Chick Embryo Cell)
- 4-dose schedule (USA): Days 0, 3, 7, 14
- Immunocompromised: 5-dose schedule (add Day 28)
- Deltoid (or anterolateral thigh in children)
Previously Vaccinated (PrEP)
- 2 doses: Days 0 + 3
- NO HRIG
PEP Failures
- Extremely rare with proper administration
- Failures typically due:
- Delayed initiation
- Inadequate wound care
- Wrong vaccine (vs cell-culture)
- Incomplete series
- Immunocompromise
7ïžâ£ Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Indications
- Veterinarians, animal handlers
- Laboratory workers handling rabies virus
- Travelers to high-risk countries (especially long-term, rural, expat)
- Bat researchers, wildlife biologists
- Endemic country residents with significant exposure risk
Schedule (Updated 2022 ACIP)
- 2-dose: Days 0 + 7 (lower risk groups)
- 3-dose: Days 0, 7, 21 or 28 (higher risk + longer-term protection)
- Booster based on serology + risk
Advantages of PrEP
- No HRIG needed post-exposure
- Simpler post-exposure (2 doses)
- Critical for hard-to-reach populations + remote workers
8ïžâ£ Animal Bite Management
Initial Steps
- Wound care immediately
- Tetanus prophylaxis
- Antibiotic prophylaxis (amox-clavulanate covers most bite pathogens)
- Determine rabies risk based on animal + geography
Rabies Risk Algorithm
- Domestic dog/cat/ferret bite:
- Vaccinated + healthy + observable: 10-day observation; no PEP unless animal develops symptoms
- Unvaccinated or unknown + observable: 10-day observation + decide on PEP based on jurisdiction
- Stray + unobservable: start PEP
- Wild carnivore (raccoon, skunk, fox, bat, coyote): start PEP
- Small rodent / rabbit: usually no PEP
- Mass exposure (cave bat): PEP for all
- Travel to endemic country: PEP based on bite + risk
Special: Bat Exposure
- PEP if bat bite/scratch
- PEP if bat in bedroom of sleeping person / unattended child (bite may have occurred without awareness)
- PEP if direct contact with bat (sliding, falling, etc.) and unable to rule out bite
9ïžâ£ Prevention + Public Health
Dog Vaccination
- Mass dog vaccination = key strategy
- Sub-Saharan Africa + Asia priority
- Decreases dog-mediated rabies dramatically
- WHO + OIE 2030 goal: end dog-mediated rabies deaths
Oral Wildlife Vaccine Baits
- Europe + USA fox/raccoon: effective
- Air-dropped or hand-distributed baits
Pre-Travel Counseling
- High-risk destinations: discuss PrEP
- Avoid stray animal contact
- Awareness of local rabies risk
Bat Awareness
- Donât handle bats
- If bat in home: try to capture for testing (donât release without testing)
- PEP if bat in sleeping area
Vaccine Stockpiles
- HRIG + cell-culture vaccines for global emergency
- WHO stockpile
Surveillance
- Active surveillance in endemic countries
- Animal + human case reporting
- éå ± mandatory
10. Other Rhabdoviruses
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV)
- Vesiculovirus genus
- Cattle, horse, pig vesicular disease
- Rare mild human (febrile illness, oral vesicles, flu-like)
- Self-limited
Mokola Virus
- Lyssavirus
- Africa
- Rare human cases (encephalitis)
- Bats + rodent reservoir
- No specific treatment; rabies vaccine may not protect (different antigen)
European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLV-1, EBLV-2)
- Europe bats
- Rare human cases
- Rabies PEP may help
Australian Bat Lyssavirus
- Australia
- Bat reservoir
- Human cases (rare but fatal)
- Rabies vaccine protects (cross-protection)
Duvenhage Virus
- Africa
- Bats
- Rare human cases