CNS Viruses -- Rhabdoviridae (Rabies -- Lyssavirus) Flashcards
What is the structure of the Rabies virus?
Enveloped, nonsegmented, (-)-strand RNA virus; BULLET-SHAPED
What viral replication scheme does rabies mimic? How does it differ?
Paramyxoviruses; it has pH-DEPENDENT fusion activity/cell entry after endocytosis (also doesn’t form syncytia)
T/F – Rabies is uniformly fatal if post-exposure treatment is not initiated
True
What is the primary route of spread of rabies?
Saliva by ANIMAL BITE
What is the MC animal infected with rabies that will bite you?
Bats
Length of incubation of rabies?
2-3 months to 1 week
How does rabies get into the CNS?
Replicates in muscle at bite site –> travels through peripheral sensory nerve to spinal ganglia –> travels up spinal cord to brain
Where in the brain does rabies predominate?
limbic system, midbrain, hypothalamus
To which salivary glands is the rabies virus transported?
Submaxillary
When does the prodromal period of infection occur? What is the specific symptom?
2-10 days post-exposure; abnormal sensation at bite site
When does the acute neurologic phase occur?
Months-years post-exposure
What are the characteristic findings of the acute neurologic phase?
CNS dysfunction/hyperactivity/paralysis; HYDROPHOBIA – GAG/RESPIRATORY REFLEX
T/F – You can recover from rabies once the acute neurologic phase sets in
False – you dead
When does coma occur? How long does it last?
2-7 days after onset of acute neurologic phase; 3-30 days before death
What is the treatment for rabies?
Thorough washing of wound, instillation of wound with human anti-rabies Ig, and admin of multiple doses of rabies vaccine to thigh or deltoid
