Rabies Virus (RABV)

Rapid CDIA^TM Rabies Virus Test kits are intended for the detection of Rabies Virus infection by detecting rabies virus antibodies or antigens.

Rabies is a viral disease of mammals, and is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies virus (RABV) infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. The virus is a single stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Lyssavirus of the family Rhabdoviridae. Rabies is a widespread zoonotic disease responsible for approximately 55,000 human deaths per year. If humans bitten by a rabid animal are treated quickly, the disease can usually be prevented. Such post-exposure prophylaxis is expensive and should be reserved for bites from animals with confirmed infection, but testing dogs for rabies in resource-poor settings is challenging. Lateral flow rapid test is based on a qualitative chromatographic immunoassay developed for the detection of RABV antigen/antibody in fresh animal brain tissue (e.g., canine, bovine, raccoon dog). This type test appears suited to the field and frontline laboratories. Its performance (specificity and sensitivity) for brain samples from any animal is highly dependent on the antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) used. The test is usable on brain and saliva samples from animals, results obtained rapidly, a result can be obtained within 15–20 min, including the preparation time.