RABIES

Laboratory

Immunology/Virology

Description

Detection of rabies virus in brain tissue of potentially infected mammals.

Test Methodology

Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA)

Specimen Type

Animal brain:

• The entire brain of the animals to be tested should include the hippocampus, cerebellum, and brain stem (required).
• The entire carcass of bats may be submitted.

Collection Guidelines

• Double bag each specimen's head with absorbent material (newspaper), then place individually in secondary containers with a separate submission form for each animal.
• For further information, refer to the Rabies Protocol for Specimen Submission (16869).

Storage Guidelines

Samples should be stored at 2 to 8 °C until shipment.

Transportation Instructions

Ship samples promptly on frozen cold packs to reduce decomposition.

Causes for Rejection

• Animal submitted for testing without documented human or domestic animal exposure.
• Samples submitted in formalin or any other fixative.
• Samples that are decomposed.
• Samples with unidentifiable brain parts.
• Samples lacking all required brain parts.