Rabies: Difference between revisions

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=History and Impact=
=History and Impact=
[[Image:rabies_virus.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''"middle ages rabid dog"'' A woodcut from the Middle Ages showing a rabid dog. From: Wikipedia.com [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Middle_Ages_rabid_dog.jpg#file]]]
=Virology=
=Virology=
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==

Revision as of 07:46, 19 July 2013

"Rhabdoviridae" Tranmission electron microscope picture of the viruses outer envolope. From: ppdictionary.com [1]

Taxonomy

| Order = Mononegavirales | Family = Rhabdoviridae | Genus = Lyssavirus | species = Rabies Virus|

NCBI: [3] Genome: Rabies Virus [4]

Description

Rabies (derived from Latin meaning 'Madness') is a viral disease caused by Lyssavirus rabies virus. The virus is a neurotropic, capable of invasive infection the central nervous system. The disease is extremely lethal to those unfortunate enough to show symptoms of the infection. The primary transmission of the virus to humans occurs through dog bites and scratches. The numbers vary widely form country to country, however, it is estimated that 55,000 people die per year from the rabies virus in Asia and Africa . The disease can be dramatic in its appearance as with many animals the disease is known to cause hyperactivity and sporadic behavior while becoming aggressive to things around them and eventually succumbing to paralysis of muscles.

History and Impact

"middle ages rabid dog" A woodcut from the Middle Ages showing a rabid dog. From: Wikipedia.com [2]

Virology

Taxonomy

Description

Pathogenisis

Transmission

Infection to humans usually occurs through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Saliva from infected animals, as well as humans, can cause rabies when in contact with mucous tissues or recent skin wounds. Inhalation of aerosols containing virus particles as well as transplant of viral infected tissues have also been documented as possible forms of transmission. Many animals have the potential to carry the virus, but the most common source is dogs. Bats are a common source in the Americas. Other animals known to carry the disease include foxes, raccoons, skunks, jackals, and mongooses. Human to human infection through bite or scratch is hypothetically possible, but has never been confirmed.

Incubation

Epidemiology

Virulance Factors

Clinical Features

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Host Immune Response

References