Canine Rabies Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Rabies is a fatal viral zoonosis caused by neurotropic viruses in the genus Lyssavirus (family Rhabdoviridae). The disease causes acute encephalitis in all warm-blooded mammals and is virtually 100% fatal once clinical signs appear. Rabies remains a critical public health concern worldwide, with dogs serving as the primary reservoir in endemic regions. Understanding rabies diagnosis, management of suspected cases, and public health protocols is essential for NAVLE success and clinical practice.

Etiology

Viral Characteristics

Rabies virus is a bullet-shaped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus. The viral genome encodes five structural proteins: nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L). The glycoprotein G is responsible for viral attachment to host cell receptors and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.

Rabies Virus Properties

Epidemiology

Reservoir Species and Geographic Distribution

In the United States, wild carnivores and bats serve as primary reservoirs. The canine rabies virus variant was eliminated from the US by 2008 through vaccination programs. However, domestic dogs remain at risk from spillover infections from wildlife reservoirs including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Globally, domestic dogs remain the most important source of human rabies, causing approximately 99% of human cases in endemic regions of Asia and Africa.