WebCanine.com » rabies

Presumptive abortive human rabies – Texas, 2009,

mom — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:39:27 +0000

Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010 Feb 26; 59(7): 185-90;

Presumptive abortive human rabies – Texas, 2009,
Abstract
“Rabies is a serious zoonotic disease. Recovery has been well documented in only 6 human patients worldwide. 5 of those patients had received rabies vaccinations before illness; one had not received rabies vaccination but survived infection after prolonged intensive care. In most of these survivors, moderate to profound neurologic sequelae occurred. In all 6 survivors, rabies was diagnosed based on exposure history, compatible clinical symptoms, and detection of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA). This report describes the clinical course and laboratory findings of an adolescent girl with
encephalitis who had not had rabies vaccination and who had been exposed to bats 2 months before illness. Antibodies to rabies virus were detected in specimens of the girl’s serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA). However, the presence of rabies VNA was not detected until after she had received single doses of rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin (HRIG). Although the patient required multiple hospitalizations and follow-up visits for recurrent neurologic symptoms, she survived without intensive care. No alternate etiology was determined, and abortive human rabies (defined in this report as recovery from rabies without intensive care) was diagnosed. Public education should emphasize avoiding exposure to bats and other potentially rabid wildlife and seeking prompt medical attention after exposure to such
animals. Rabies is preventable if rabies immune globulin and vaccine are administered soon after an exposure; however, this case also suggests the rare possibility that abortive rabies can occur in humans and might go unrecognised.”

Low Cost rabies screen for veterinarians

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:59:07 +0000

05 Feb 2009
Dyne Immune, LLC announced their new, portable Rabies RAPIDâ„¢ (Rapid Antibody Portable Immunodetection) Screen, which can detect the presence of rabies in an animal saliva sample within 30 minutes, providing vital information much sooner than traditional testing methods.

The screen allows veterinarians, animal control officers and other professionals to check for rabies in animals that are still alive, eliminating the long wait (10 to 14 days) and hefty price tag associated with typical post-mortem rabies testing.

“This test can reduce the number of animals destroyed and save doctors and animal control organizations from the costs associated with traditional testing,” said Dyne Immune CEO, Dr. V. James DeFranco, MD. “Most importantly, though, it enables them to screen for rabies and get an answer quickly — and that’s essential when it comes to preventing the infection from spreading.”

Rabies RAPIDâ„¢ Screen detects the virus’ antigen in saliva and indicates a positive result in the low microgram-per-milliliter range. A simple results window in the screening kit indicates within minutes whether an animal is infected with rabies. The test is packaged in a small, lightweight kit that can be used both in the field and in the lab as a primary screening tool.

The technology was put to the test last month when a local New York Humane Society tried out the kit on a newly admitted stray kitten. Rabies RAPIDâ„¢ Screen indicated the kitten may have been positive for rabies antigen, and was immediately quarantined. In the meantime, the entire Animal Control staff was alerted to protect themselves and other animals from possible exposure.

Veterinarians, animal control workers and wildlife professionals play a key role in protecting people and their pets from rabid animals. Their work places them at an increased risk for rabies exposure. Pre- and post-exposure rabies vaccines are available, but rabies’ relatively long incubation period means that animals and people may unknowingly come into contact with an infected animal. Confirming the presence or absence of the virus quickly could speed the time taken to receive post-exposure vaccination. It could also help animal care workers limit their exposure, and help protect uninfected animals by determining which animals pose a danger.

There is no cure for rabies. Without post-exposure vaccination, the disease is almost always fatal in both animals and humans.

In 2008, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that cases of rabies in the United States had increased by 4.6% the previous year. Approximately 40,000 Americans are treated for potential exposure each year, usually from bats, raccoons, squirrels and occasionally, cats and dogs.

According to the World Health Organization rabies kills approximately 55,000 people every year around the world.

About Dyne Immune LLC

Dyne Immune is dedicated to the development of technology for the detection and prevention of infectious disease. The company specializes in making the latest in antibody/antigen technology available in affordable, portable and practical tool kits that can make a real and timely difference in the lives of animal welfare workers, human health care professionals and those they serve. Visit http://www.dyneimmune.com to learn more.

Dyne Immune LLC

Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/137890.php<

Pseudorabies

mom — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 01:43:06 +0000

http://www.northfloridanewsdaily.com

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are warning hunters using the JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Palm Beach and Martin counties to be cautious about wild hogs.

“At least 3 hunting dogs have died after displaying signs consistent with the pseudorabies virus (PRV) after tangling with wild hogs,”
said Dr Mark Cunningham, a veterinarian with the FWC. “Tests to confirm the diagnosis of PRV are pending, and we are investigating unconfirmed reports from hunters that other dogs have died of the disease.”

No new cases have been reported to the FWC since [7 Nov 2008]. The disease is no threat to humans but always fatal in dogs.

Reports indicate the dogs that died were in the area between trails 1and 2, behind “N” camp, and south of Corbett’s south check.

Pseudorabies has been present in this country the past 150 years and claims a small number of hunting dogs every year. Wildlife officials are unsure of the cause for the spike in cases at Corbett, but it may be due to environmental stress.

There are no plans to cancel the WMA’s hog hunt, which will end [16 Nov 2008].

PRV is carried by wild hogs and is always present throughout Florida. The virus also has been reported in at least 10 other states. Moving hogs to new areas can spread the disease.

PRV is an extremely contagious herpes virus. Despite its name, PRV is not related to rabies, and it is not contagious to humans; however, other animals and pets, particularly dogs, are susceptible to infection.

“Only dogs that are directly exposed to feral swine or consume raw feral hog meat are at significant risk for pseudorabies,” Cunningham said.

Dogs can become infected with PRV after exposure to infected hogs. Clinical signs seen dogs include scratching themselves
uncontrollably. Death normally occurs within 48 hours.

It is unlikely that dogs or other animals would be in danger of contracting PRV unless there has been direct contact through a bite wound or through consumption of raw wild hog meat.Hunters can minimize risk by keeping their dogs away from hogs and
from hog carcasses.

A modified-live vaccine is labeled only for domestic swine and is available only to veterinarians through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consult a licensed veterinarian for further information regarding vaccination and prevention for domestic swine.

- –<