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Published Date: 2013-02-24 00:00:34
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies - China (02): canine, human , RFI
Archive Number: 20130224.1556858
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: Sat 23 Feb 2013
From: Mark Lelli DVM [edited]
<Muleflock@aol.com>
A comment and question from Mark Lelli DVM
------------------------------------------
This article and the subsequent commentary brings to the surface more than one interesting concept in the epidemiology and transmission of rabies virus to humans. One is the relatively high number of people that become infected with the virus by contact with an infected animal through carcass processing of domestic animals. The presumption is that these animals are alive and rabid at the time of slaughter resulting in human contact with living, infected animals and subsequent human morbidity and mortality.
The other and perhaps more important revelation is that of the possible transmission through contact with a deceased animal carcass. If I understand it correctly, transmission to the man in Viet Nam occurred from a deceased road traffic animal not an injured but still living animal. The article from Hanoi published by the PLoS Medicine journal, original article (ProMED-mail post: Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam, Archive Number: 20090318.1092), states that the dog was said to have been killed in the road traffic accident. While this distinction may seem subtle it does leave open the possibility that transmission of the virus occurred some time after the animal was deceased through contact with the corpse.
If in fact this was true, it brings to the surface an important question for those of us who are asked to process specimens for rabies detection in suspect, and consequently euthanized domestic animals and/or wildlife. Do we know how long an animal infected with rabies remains a source for infectivity after it dies? A better understanding of this would also lead to an improved protocol for possible post exposure treatment.
--
Mark Lelli DVM
Director at Animal Clinic of Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan
USA
<Muleflock@aol.com>
[ProMED-mail thanks Mark Lelli for his comment and posing the question: "Do we know how long an animal infected with rabies remains a source for infectivity after it dies? A better understanding of this would also lead to an improved protocol for possible post exposure treatment."
This moderator does not have the practical knowledge to deal with this important issue and invites knowledgeable readers to respond to Mark Lelli's request. - Mod.CP]
See Also
Rabies - China: canine, human 20130222.1555677
2009
----
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam 20090318.1092
.................................................c p/ejp/ml
*************************************
Published Date: 2013-02-25 17:18:06
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies - China (03): infectivity of carcasses
Archive Number: 20130225.1559144
RABIES - CHINA (03): INFECTIVITY OF CARCASSES
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
[re: ProMED-mail Rabies - China (02): canine, human, RFI 20130224.1556858]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]
Date: Mon 25 Feb 2013
From: Steven Van Gucht <Steven.VanGucht@wiv-isp.be> [edited]
I would like to comment that we were able to isolate living virus from the brain of experimentally infected mice up to at least 14 days after euthanasia.
In one experiment, mice were inoculated intracerebrally with the rabies virulent CVS-11 laboratory strain. At 6 days after inoculation, mice were euthanized and the intact cadavers were kept at 21 deg C [69.8 deg F] for maximum 14 days. At 0, 1 ,3, 7, and 14 days after euthanasia, the brains were collected, homogenized in cell culture medium, containing foetal calf serum and a high dose of antibiotics, and passed through a microfilter. We were able to isolate virus in neuroblastoma cells even at 14 days after euthanasia, indicating that the virus, or viral RNA, remains somehow infectious in the decomposed brain material, even at this advantaged stage after death.
This little experiment was done in the frame of our ISO17025 accreditation to validate the use of the neuroblastoma virus isolation test on cadavers of wild animals, which are collected in the wild and for which the time of death is often uncertain. We did not test other organs.
--
Steven Van Gucht
Scientific Institute of Public Health
Head of Viral Diseases
Communicable and Infectious Diseases
Rue Engelandstraat 642
Belgium
<Steven.VanGucht@wiv-isp.be>
******
[2]
Date: Mon 25 Feb 2013
From: Robert J Rudd <rjr06@health.state.ny.us> [edited]
The duration of time that rabies virus will remain infectious in a dead animal carcass depends upon the environment that the infected tissue is exposed to. As the tissue decomposes the virus will lose infectivity.
When a rabid animal is decapitated, so that the head may be sent for rabies diagnosis, there is always a potential for virus transmission to the personnel removing the head. Necessary precautions are always advised: rabies vaccination, wearing proper PPE [personal protective equipment] (goggles or face shield to prevent splashing into the eyes, N-95 mask, gown, gloves). Tissues containing large amounts of virus are severed in a proper decapitation; namely, salivary glands, numerous nerves, and most certainly the spinal cord will contain live rabies virus. Cuts from the knives used in a decapitation are considered an exposure to the virus. Other potential exposures to rabies virus such as splashes to mucous membranes or contamination of abraded skin with fluids may occur. Heads kept at refrigeration temperature will contain live rabies virus for weeks. A frozen head will contain live virus until the head is thawed. Essentially a dead rabid animal is still a threat until it is properly disposed of.
--
Robert J Rudd
Director
Rabies Laboratory,
Wadsworth Laboratories
New York State Health Department
USA
<rjr06@health.state.ny.us>
[ProMED-mail thanks both contributors for their prompt responses our request for information, and providing information derived from their relevant experience. - Mod.CP]
See Also
Rabies - China (02): canine, human , RFI 20130224.1556858
Rabies - China: canine, human 20130222.1555677
2009
----
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam 20090318.1092
.................................................c p/mj/lm
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies - China (02): canine, human , RFI
Archive Number: 20130224.1556858
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: Sat 23 Feb 2013
From: Mark Lelli DVM [edited]
<Muleflock@aol.com>
A comment and question from Mark Lelli DVM
------------------------------------------
This article and the subsequent commentary brings to the surface more than one interesting concept in the epidemiology and transmission of rabies virus to humans. One is the relatively high number of people that become infected with the virus by contact with an infected animal through carcass processing of domestic animals. The presumption is that these animals are alive and rabid at the time of slaughter resulting in human contact with living, infected animals and subsequent human morbidity and mortality.
The other and perhaps more important revelation is that of the possible transmission through contact with a deceased animal carcass. If I understand it correctly, transmission to the man in Viet Nam occurred from a deceased road traffic animal not an injured but still living animal. The article from Hanoi published by the PLoS Medicine journal, original article (ProMED-mail post: Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam, Archive Number: 20090318.1092), states that the dog was said to have been killed in the road traffic accident. While this distinction may seem subtle it does leave open the possibility that transmission of the virus occurred some time after the animal was deceased through contact with the corpse.
If in fact this was true, it brings to the surface an important question for those of us who are asked to process specimens for rabies detection in suspect, and consequently euthanized domestic animals and/or wildlife. Do we know how long an animal infected with rabies remains a source for infectivity after it dies? A better understanding of this would also lead to an improved protocol for possible post exposure treatment.
--
Mark Lelli DVM
Director at Animal Clinic of Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan
USA
<Muleflock@aol.com>
[ProMED-mail thanks Mark Lelli for his comment and posing the question: "Do we know how long an animal infected with rabies remains a source for infectivity after it dies? A better understanding of this would also lead to an improved protocol for possible post exposure treatment."
This moderator does not have the practical knowledge to deal with this important issue and invites knowledgeable readers to respond to Mark Lelli's request. - Mod.CP]
See Also
Rabies - China: canine, human 20130222.1555677
2009
----
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam 20090318.1092
.................................................c p/ejp/ml
*************************************
Published Date: 2013-02-25 17:18:06
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Rabies - China (03): infectivity of carcasses
Archive Number: 20130225.1559144
RABIES - CHINA (03): INFECTIVITY OF CARCASSES
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
[re: ProMED-mail Rabies - China (02): canine, human, RFI 20130224.1556858]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]
Date: Mon 25 Feb 2013
From: Steven Van Gucht <Steven.VanGucht@wiv-isp.be> [edited]
I would like to comment that we were able to isolate living virus from the brain of experimentally infected mice up to at least 14 days after euthanasia.
In one experiment, mice were inoculated intracerebrally with the rabies virulent CVS-11 laboratory strain. At 6 days after inoculation, mice were euthanized and the intact cadavers were kept at 21 deg C [69.8 deg F] for maximum 14 days. At 0, 1 ,3, 7, and 14 days after euthanasia, the brains were collected, homogenized in cell culture medium, containing foetal calf serum and a high dose of antibiotics, and passed through a microfilter. We were able to isolate virus in neuroblastoma cells even at 14 days after euthanasia, indicating that the virus, or viral RNA, remains somehow infectious in the decomposed brain material, even at this advantaged stage after death.
This little experiment was done in the frame of our ISO17025 accreditation to validate the use of the neuroblastoma virus isolation test on cadavers of wild animals, which are collected in the wild and for which the time of death is often uncertain. We did not test other organs.
--
Steven Van Gucht
Scientific Institute of Public Health
Head of Viral Diseases
Communicable and Infectious Diseases
Rue Engelandstraat 642
Belgium
<Steven.VanGucht@wiv-isp.be>
******
[2]
Date: Mon 25 Feb 2013
From: Robert J Rudd <rjr06@health.state.ny.us> [edited]
The duration of time that rabies virus will remain infectious in a dead animal carcass depends upon the environment that the infected tissue is exposed to. As the tissue decomposes the virus will lose infectivity.
When a rabid animal is decapitated, so that the head may be sent for rabies diagnosis, there is always a potential for virus transmission to the personnel removing the head. Necessary precautions are always advised: rabies vaccination, wearing proper PPE [personal protective equipment] (goggles or face shield to prevent splashing into the eyes, N-95 mask, gown, gloves). Tissues containing large amounts of virus are severed in a proper decapitation; namely, salivary glands, numerous nerves, and most certainly the spinal cord will contain live rabies virus. Cuts from the knives used in a decapitation are considered an exposure to the virus. Other potential exposures to rabies virus such as splashes to mucous membranes or contamination of abraded skin with fluids may occur. Heads kept at refrigeration temperature will contain live rabies virus for weeks. A frozen head will contain live virus until the head is thawed. Essentially a dead rabid animal is still a threat until it is properly disposed of.
--
Robert J Rudd
Director
Rabies Laboratory,
Wadsworth Laboratories
New York State Health Department
USA
<rjr06@health.state.ny.us>
[ProMED-mail thanks both contributors for their prompt responses our request for information, and providing information derived from their relevant experience. - Mod.CP]
See Also
Rabies - China (02): canine, human , RFI 20130224.1556858
Rabies - China: canine, human 20130222.1555677
2009
----
Rabies, via dog/cat butchering - Viet Nam 20090318.1092
.................................................c p/mj/lm