R — Rabies Virus
Rabies virus is a bullet-shaped, negative-sense RNA virus in the Rhabdoviridae family. After inoculation via animal bite, it replicates locally in muscle before entering peripheral nerves at neuromuscular junctions.
The virus travels retrograde along axons to the CNS, where it infects neurons and forms characteristic Negri bodies. Neuronal dysfunction occurs with minimal inflammation early in disease.
Clinical rabies progresses from prodromal symptoms to encephalitic or paralytic forms, featuring hydrophobia, agitation, and autonomic instability. Once symptomatic, it is almost universally fatal.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective if administered before CNS invasion. Rabies research has contributed to understanding axonal transport and neurotropic viral spread.
Rabies virus is a bullet-shaped, negative-sense RNA virus in the Rhabdoviridae family. After inoculation via animal bite, it replicates locally in muscle before entering peripheral nerves at neuromuscular junctions.
The virus travels retrograde along axons to the CNS, where it infects neurons and forms characteristic Negri bodies. Neuronal dysfunction occurs with minimal inflammation early in disease.
Clinical rabies progresses from prodromal symptoms to encephalitic or paralytic forms, featuring hydrophobia, agitation, and autonomic instability. Once symptomatic, it is almost universally fatal.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is highly effective if administered before CNS invasion. Rabies research has contributed to understanding axonal transport and neurotropic viral spread.