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Rabies Virus

Virus Structure

Rabies virus (RABV) is the prototype virus of the genus Lyssavirus in the family Rhabdoviridae of the order Mononegavirales (MNV). RABV is an RNA virus and the genome is single-stranded, negative-sense (antisense), and non-segmented and consists of 11 932 nucleotides and encodes five proteins: nucleocapsid protein (N), matrix protein (M), phosphoprotein (P), glycoprotein (G), and a large polymerase protein (L). The RABV virion is a bullet-shaped 100-430 nm long and 50-100 nm in diameter, and composed of two structural units: an internal helical RNP, about 50 nm in diameter, and a lipid envelope which is derived from the host cytoplasmic membrane during budding.

Structure and genome of the RABV virion. Fig.1 Structure and genome of the RABV virion. (Kuzmin, 2008)

Pathogenesis

Neuroinvasiveness, neurotropism and neurovirulence are the major defining characteristics of RABV. Infection of the limbic system is caused by the animal bite: infection of the salivary glands produces the large amounts of virus needed for the transmission of infection by bite. The virus infects local sensory and motor neurons and replicate locally in skeletal muscle cells or attach directly to nerve endings. After peripheral nerve entry, the virus binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction and travels toward the central nervous system (CNS) within axons of peripheral nerves by retrograde fast axonal transport. Neuronal pathways shield the virus from host immune surveillance, resulting in the absence of an early antibody response. Once delivered to the CNS, the virus disseminates rapidly in the spinal cord, medulla, thalamus, pons, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, and cortex.

The pathogenesis of RABV. Fig.2 The pathogenesis of RABV. (Abraham, 2017)

Epidemiology

  • Rabies is a viral zoonosis that causes approximately 50000 to 100000 deaths per year worldwide.
  • The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals when contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal.
  • Animals most likely to transmit rabies include dogs, cats, bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and monkeys.
  • RABV is present in 150 countries and all continents except Antarctica. Stray dogs are a principal source of infections in humans in many parts of Asia and Africa.
  • RABV has a wide host range, wherein all warmblooded animals including humans can be infected by the virus. Bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are important rabies vectors in North America, and dogs are the most important vector worldwide.

Representation of worldwide distribution of RABV affected area continent-wise. Fig.3 Representation of worldwide distribution of RABV affected area continent-wise. (Abraham, 2017)

Symptoms

One of the most unique symptoms of rabies infection is a tingling or twitching sensation in the area around the animal bite. At first, people also might have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms develop, including delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), insomnia, and extreme sensitivity to bright lights, sounds, or touch.

Prevention and Treatment

Rabies virus causes acute encephalitis and the outcome is almost always fatal. Once a rabies infection is established, there's no effective treatment. Rabies in people is 100% preventable through prompt appropriate medical care. If you are in contact with an animal with possible rabies, you should receive a series of shots to prevent the rabies virus from infecting you. Rabies shots include:

  • rabies immune globulin: This provides protection right away while the vaccine starts working.
  • rabies vaccine.

What Can We offer

Creative Biolabs provides numerous anti-RABV antibodies involved in many hot targets including N, M, P and G proteins. For special RABV antibodies, our expert team has the ability to provide comprehensive services for custom project needs, including ViroAntibody discovery, engineering, customized and neutralization assays services. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

References

  1. Kuzmin, I.V.; Rupprecht C.E.. Rabies Virus. Encyclopedia of Virology (Third Edition), 2008, 9(1): 367-373.
  2. Abraham, S.; et al. Review on Rabies and Vaccines. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 2017, 6(12): 2064-2085.

All products and services are intended for Research Use Only, and NOT to be used in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

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