Rabies Virus

These flashcards cover key concepts about rabies virus, including its history, epidemiology, symptoms, management, and viral replication.

What is rabies commonly known as in the 1880s?

Hydrophobia

Who developed the rabies vaccine from dried strips of spinal cords from rabid animals?

Louis Pasteur and Emile Roux

Which disease is one of the oldest known diseases affecting the CNS?

Rabies

What animal was primarily associated with the spread of rabies in Europe during the 19th century?

Domestic dogs (street rabies)

What are the primary reservoirs for rabies in Asia and Africa?

Dogs

In which regions do the vast majority of human rabies deaths occur?

Africa and Asia

Which animals are the most common source of rabies cases in the U.S.?

Wild animals, especially bats and raccoons

What are the two forms of human rabies?

Furious (encephalitic) and Paralytic (dumb) rabies

What is the incubation period for rabies in humans?

A few days to several years, usually 2–3 months

What is a common symptom during the prodromal period of rabies?

Headache, malaise, fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting

What is a key feature of furious rabies symptoms?

Hydrophobia and agitation

What is a distinctive characteristic of paralytic rabies in humans?

Lack of hydrophobia and hyperactivity

How many well-documented cases of rabies survivors exist?

Only 9 well-documented reports

What is the recommended postexposure prophylaxis for rabies?

Immunoglobulin injections and vaccinations

What type of rabies is characterized by aggression, agitation, and hallucinations?

Furious rabies

What is the viral structure of the rabies virus?

Bullet-shaped particle with glycoprotein spikes

What does the rabies virus primarily use to enter host cells?

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

What is the process by which rabies virions are released from the infected host cell?

Budding

What genetic feature of rabies virus influences its mutation rate?

The rabies L protein lacks RNA repair/proofreading ability

What must the viral polymerase create first in the host cell for rabies virus replication?

A positive-sense RNA template

How does the rabies virus spread after initial infection?

Along peripheral nerves to the central nervous system (CNS)