Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 54 Issue: 4

  • Open Access
  • Short Communication

Comparative evaluation of immunofluorescence in different anatomical sites of brain in canine rabies by direct fluorescent antibody test

M.L. Arya Nair 1, C. Divya 2*, P. Nikhithasree 3, S.S. Devi 4, Jamuna Valsalan5, John Bernet Johnson6 and K.S. Prasanna7

1, 3   MVSc Scholar, Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur- 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
2, 4  Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur- 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
5 Assistant Professor, Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur- 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
6 Scientist E- l, Pathogen biology lab RGCB, Thiruvananthapuram
7 Assistant Professor and Head (i/c), Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur- 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India


*Corresponding author: [email protected], Ph:9288172169

Year: 2023, Page: 1119-1122, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.4.1119-1122

Received: Nov. 14, 2022 Accepted: Jan. 21, 2023 Published: Dec. 31, 2023

Abstract

Rabies is an acute fatal encephalitis known to mankind ever since the dawn of human civilization. Dogs act as the principal vector for transmission of rabies in India. Direct fluorescent antibody test on brain sample is the gold standard test recommended for diagnosis of rabies. The present study was designed to compare immunofluorescence for rabies in different anatomical sites of brain by employing direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT). Impression smears from cerebrum, cerebellum, hippocampus and brainstem of 30 rabies positive dogs were subjected to grading and comparative evaluation of immunofluorescence upon DFAT. The impression smears from these sites were subsequently graded from 1+ to 4+ based on intensity and distribution of fluorescence. The results revealed that brainstem and cerebellum showed almost similar and higher grades of fluorescence followed by hippocampus and cerebrum. The study also unveiled unilateral distribution of viral antigen in the hippocampus in certain cases which questions the reliability of employing hippocampal smears for DFAT. The study concluded that brainstem and cerebellum are the preferred samples for DFAT for rabies in canines.

Keywords: Rabies, DFAT, grading, immunofluorescence

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Cite this article

Arya Nair, M.L., Divya C., Nikhithasree, P., Devi, S.S., Jamuna Valsalan, John Bernet Johnson and Prasanna, K.S. 2023. Comparative evaluation of immunofluorescence in different anatomical sites of brain in canine rabies by direct fluorescent antibody test.
J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 54(4):1119-1122
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2023.54.4.1119-1122

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