stepnstone
03-02-2013, 04:24 PM
Rabies virus after euthanasia.
All rehabilitators need to know this information about rabies,
especially those that deal with Rabies Vector Species.
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
************************************************** ***************************************
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
All rehabilitators need to know this information about rabies,
especially those that deal with Rabies Vector Species.
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
************************************************** ***************************************
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