Antigenic characterization of twenty stress rabies virus strains isolated in Italy using monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibody characterization of rabies virus strains isolated in the River Plate Basin

In this study, 91 strains isolated in the River Plate Basin, South America, were examined from the epidemiological standpoint and with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the nucleocapsid of rabies virus. Such strains reacted to MAbs in accordance with nine different patterns (antigenic variants). Rabies virus was isolated from 49 cattle, 21 dogs, 11 non-haematophagous bats, four vampire bats, two foxes, two horses, one buffalo, and one human. Five of the variants had not been described previously. It was also found that two cases of rabies in wild foxes (Cerdocyon thous) which had attacked persons in the Province of Chaco, Argentina, had been caused by variants from dog and vampire bat, while two cases in frugivorous bats (Artibeus lituratus) from Argentina and Brazil, had been infected by vampire bat variants. In addition, symptoms shown by cattle infected with strains which reacted as originating in canine vectors, differed from those observed in bovines from which the variants isolated corresponded to vampire bats.

Equine rabies

With the continued increase in the number of wildlife rabies cases reported across the United States and Canada, this disease will remain a threat to the horse as the potential for exposure to infected wildlife and other domestic animals is likely to also increase. Because there are no rapid, definitive antemortem diagnostic tests, the tentative diagnosis is based upon the variable and sometimes nonspecific clinical signs. Although the CSF analysis may be helpful in some cases, it may not be abnormal. Nor is collection of the specimen always practical in the field situation. The FAT on neural tissue remains the most accurate diagnostic test; therefore, the diagnosis of rabies can be definitively made only at necropsy. Vaccination of horses with the inactivated rabies vaccines is thought to be safe and effective and may be advised for horses in endemic areas. Practitioners should consult with state or provincial authorities regarding the need for vaccination in their area. Veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and other animal health workers should be vaccinated against rabies.