Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Anand-388001, Gujarat, India
*Corresponding Author: E-mail: bsavaliya53@gmail.com
Online published on 2 April, 2016.
Rabies is one of the oldest recognised fatal encephalitis of warm-blooded animals and has worldwide prevalence. The causative agent is a neurotropic RNA virus belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae and genus Lyssavirus. Correct and prompt diagnosis of rabies is important for the post-exposure prophylaxis/measures in human and animals. Total 20 samples (12 brains and 8 saliva) were collected from dead and live animalsnamely dog, buffalo, cow, goat, donkey and hyena for detecting rabies virus. Brain samples were collected after post-mortem and were examined by Seller's staining technique, immunochromatographic assay, Direct fluorescent antibody test (d-FAT) and Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) To diagnose rabies in live animals, saliva samples were examined by immunochromatographic test and its efficacy was compared with RT-PCR. Relative sensitivity of Seller's staining technique, immunochromatographic test and RT-PCR in comparison with d-FAT was found 16.66%, 100% and 90.9%, respectively, while specificity was found 100% for all the tests. Sensitivity and specificity of immunochromatographic test to detect rabies virus from saliva were found 80% and 100%, respectively, when compared to RT-PCR.
Rabies, d-FAT, RT-PCR, Immunochromatographic test, Seller's staining technique
