What is Rabies is diagnosed by ? and explain in detail?
Ans. is 'b' i.e., Corneal smear Diagnosis of rabies The diagnosis of rabies is usually made by the detection of rabies virus antigens by immunofluorescence. The specimens collected are : Antemoem Corneal smear Skin biopsy from neck or saliva Postmoem Brain biopsy A definitive pathologic diagnosis of rabies can be based on the finding of Negri bodies in the brain or spinal cord. Other methods for Rabies diagnosis i) Rabies virus specific antibodies detection in serum and CSF. But rabies virus-specific antibodies develop relatively late in the clinical course when the patient survives beyond the acute phase. Two methods are used to detect antibodies: Indirect fluorescent antibody test. Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition (RFFIT) ii) Reverse-transcription polymerase chain detection of rabies virus nucleic acid in the saliva. It is done during early CNS infection.