Rabies and Bats Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the best diagnostic test to perform to rule in rabies as a cause of the patient's illness?

Detection of serum anti-rabies antibody

Cerebrospinal fluid anti-rabies antibody

Direct fluorescent antibody stain of a biopsy from the nape of the neck (correct)

Culture of cerebrospinal fluid for virus

What is a common reservoir for rabies virus in the United States?

Bats

Raccoons

Dogs (correct)

Cats

Which of the following statements about rabies incubation periods is correct?

Rabies symptoms appear immediately after infection.

The incubation period is always short and takes days.

The incubation period can vary significantly and may last several weeks. (correct)

The incubation period does not exist for rabies virus.

Which statement correctly describes the virulence mechanisms of the rabies virus?

The virus has a lipoprotein envelope and single-stranded RNA as its genome. Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely explanation for the treatment failure in this rabies case?

Treatment was initiated after the onset of clinical symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual incubation period for rabies in dogs?

3 to 8 weeks Signup and view all the answers

How can rabies antibodies be identified in infected individuals?

Through cerebrospinal fluid analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method for diagnosing rabies in euthanized animals?

Direct fluorescent antibody testing Signup and view all the answers

What tissue samples can be used for rabies virus isolation?

Brain or cornea tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Negri bodies in rabies diagnosis?

They confirm a definitive diagnosis of rabies. Signup and view all the answers

What factor makes rapid growth of rabies virus possible in specialized laboratories?

Utilizing hamster and mouse cell lines Signup and view all the answers

How are rabies antibodies developed during infection?

Slowly during the progression of the disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of bat rabies in humans regarding the infection recall?

Patients often have no recollection of being bitten Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of new variant CJD regarding its transmission?

It has a long incubation period. Signup and view all the answers

How is chronic wasting disease primarily spread among deer and elk?

Through feces of infected animals. Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is effective in rapidly destroying the rabies virus?

Ultraviolet radiation Signup and view all the answers

What polymorphism influences susceptibility to certain prion diseases?

Mutations in the prion protein gene Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method to assess the presence of the prion protein in brain tissue?

Biopsy histopathology Signup and view all the answers

What is a common aspect between CJD and Alzheimer's disease?

Both show the presence of amyloid plaques. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of prion pathogenesis?

They promote spongiform encephalopathies. Signup and view all the answers

What structurally characterizes neurons affected by rabies?

Eosinophilic Negri bodies Signup and view all the answers

Which method is least effective in destroying prions?

Chemical disinfectants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a commonly recognized method of virus transmission?

Direct contact with infected tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What type of immune response typically occurs against virus infections?

Both humoral and cell-mediated responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable factor of chronic wasting disease in terms of its environmental impact?

It can be ingested by healthy deer from contaminated soil. Signup and view all the answers

What prevents the experimental transmission of Alzheimer's disease to primates?

Absence of prion-like proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can influence the incubation period of a virus?

Host age and health condition. Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic method is generally used for detecting viral infections?

Serological assays. Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism is involved in the virulence of certain viruses?

Interfering with cellular metabolism. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental characteristic of viruses during transmission?

They require a living host to survive. Signup and view all the answers

What type of antibody response is generally observed in the early phases of infection?

IgM response. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is least likely to affect the virus incubation period?

Length of the respiratory tract. Signup and view all the answers

What is generally a critical aspect of diagnostic methods for viral infections?

They involve analysis of genetic material. Signup and view all the answers

Which disease is characterized by widespread neuronal degeneration and a spongy appearance of the brain without inflammation or evidence of virus particles?

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Signup and view all the answers

What is a common transmission method for rabies?

Bite from an infected animal Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical antibody response associated with viral infections?

Delayed IgG response Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual incubation period for rabies before symptoms appear?

2-12 months Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic method is commonly used to confirm a viral infection?

Polymerase chain reaction testing Signup and view all the answers

Which group of viruses is known for causing severe neurological damage?

Rhabdoviruses Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical characteristic of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy?

Cognitive impairment and motor weakness Signup and view all the answers

Which antibody is primarily produced shortly after a viral infection?

IgM Signup and view all the answers

How does the absence of inflammation in a degenerative brain disease help narrow down the diagnosis?

Points towards a prion disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of rabies?

Persistent cough Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rabies Transmission and Incubation

Bat rabies often afflicts individuals without any memory of being bitten.
The typical incubation period for rabies in dogs is between 3 to 8 weeks but can be as short as 10 days.
Infected persons develop serum antibodies after the vaccination process, contrasting with gradual antibody production during disease progression.

Clinical Diagnosis of Rabies

Rabies diagnosis in humans is unfeasible before clinical symptoms appear.
Diagnosis in euthanized animals involves direct fluorescent antibody testing on brain tissue.
The detection of Negri bodies and rabies antigens aids in confirming rabies in laboratory settings.

Laboratory Testing Methods

Rapid identification of rabies involves immunofluorescence staining using anti-rabies monoclonal antibodies.
Skin biopsies from the neck or corneal tissue can be tested.
Definitive rabies diagnosis relies on finding Negri bodies in the brain/spinal cord.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease, similar to scrapie, affects mule deer and elk in North America.
High transmission efficiency is noted among these deer, but it is not transmitted to humans.
The infectious agent persists in soil and can be ingested by other ungulates.

Alzheimer's Disease Connection

Neuropathological similarities exist between Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Alzheimer's disease, including the presence of amyloid plaques.
Prion-related proteins PrPSc are not found in Alzheimer's brain tissue.

Neurological Implications of Prions

Over 150 cases of new variant CJD were diagnosed in England, most resulting in death, with disease susceptibility linked to a specific prion protein polymorphism.
Symptoms of prion infections can manifest as progressive neurologic diseases with long incubation periods.

Treatment and Prognosis

Treatment failures in rabies cases may occur due to the timing of intervention, notably if treatment begins post-symptom onset.
A case involving a suspect rabies patient illustrated the urgency of rabies immune globulin and vaccine administration.

Laboratory and Testing Techniques

Essential tests for rabies include direct fluorescent antibody stains and brain biopsy for definitive analysis.
A range of methods exists for the viral detection including tissue inoculation in mice and cell line cultures for rabies virus.

Key Insights on Rabies Virus

The rabies virus comprises a lipoprotein envelope and single-stranded RNA.
The virus has one primary antigenic type, with the domestic dog being the main reservoir in the U.S.
The rabies incubation period typically spans several weeks, contrary to some beliefs it may be shorter.

Review Questions on Rabies

Rabies virus is rapidly destroyed by various methods including ultraviolet radiation and heating at certain temperatures.
Prions are resistant to many conventional disinfection measures and are not easily destroyed by boiling or formaldehyde.
Negri bodies are specifically associated with rabies infections in the central nervous system.

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Description

Test your knowledge on rabies transmission, particularly from bats, and understand the clinical aspects of the disease. This quiz covers the incubation period, symptoms, and antibody detection methods related to rabies. Get ready to explore important facts about this viral infection!